Police marvel at the “excellent condition” of a hiker found after 2 weeks lost in the mountains
Melbourne, Australia — A the hiker survived on two muesli bars, berries and stream water for two weeks while they were lost in a remote Australian mountain range, police said Wednesday.
Hadi Nazari, a 23-year-old medical student from Melbourne, disappeared on December 26 when he became separated from two hiking companions to take photos in Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales.
He was rescued after he approached a group of hikers on Wednesday afternoon, telling them he was lost and thirsty, said Police Insp. Josh Broadfoot said. Nazari traveled more than 6 miles over steep and densely wooded terrain from where he was last seen.
Reuters/Australian Broadcasting Corporation
A massive ground and air search was launched the day Nazari went missing. More than 300 searchers participated.
He was reunited with his two hiking friends on Wednesday before being taken to a hospital for medical evaluation, Broadfoot said.
Nazari told police he was “walking around from morning to night,” Broadfoot said.
“It feels good: unbelievable,” Broadfoot told reporters.
“This is the 14th day we’ve been looking for him. It’s amazing that he came out in such good spirits and in such good condition,” he added.
“There are some streams up there and he said he found water where he could and foraged where he could, in terms of berries. At one point he said he found a few muesli bars in the hut, but other than that – 14 days, and it’s very little food,” Broadfoot said.
Reuters/Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Ambulance Insp. Adam Mower said Nazari only needed treatment for dehydration.
“He’s in remarkable condition for a person who’s been missing for so long,” Mower said.
The national park surrounds Mount Kosciuszko, which is Australia’s highest peak. But Australia is a relatively flat continent and the mountain is only 7,310 feet above sea level.
Weather conditions are mild during the current summer in the southern hemisphere.
Researchers were optimistic that Nazari would be found alive. He was an experienced hiker equipped with a tent. Searchers found his campfire, camera and hiking poles in recent days, suggesting he had continued walking.
