MELBOURNE, Australia — A hiker managed to survive for two weeks in a remote Australian mountain range by subsisting on just two muesli bars, wild berries, and creek water, according to police reports released on Wednesday.
Hadi Nazari, a 23-year-old medical student from Melbourne, went missing on December 26 after he split from his two hiking companions to take photos in Kosciuszko National Park, located in New South Wales’s Snowy Mountains.
He was located on Wednesday afternoon when he approached another group of hikers, informing them that he was lost and in need of water, as stated by Police Inspector Josh Broadfoot. Nazari had traversed over 10 kilometers (approximately 6 miles) through steep and densely forested terrain since being last seen.
Upon his disappearance, a significant search operation was immediately initiated, involving more than 300 personnel from both land and air resources.
Following his rescue, Nazari was reunited with his two companions before being transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation, as reported by Broadfoot.
Nazari mentioned to authorities that he had been “walking from morning until night,” emphasizing the endurance he displayed throughout his ordeal. “He appears to be in remarkable spirits: truly amazing,” Broadfoot remarked during a press briefing.
“This marks the 14th day we’ve been searching for him. For him to emerge in such excellent condition and spirits is nothing short of incredible,” he continued.
Broadfoot shared that Nazari had utilized local creeks for water and foraged for food, specifically berries, throughout his time lost. He also discovered a couple of muesli bars in an abandoned hut, which meant his intake of food during 14 days was exceedingly minimal.
Ambulance Inspector Adam Mower noted that Nazari required treatment solely for dehydration. “His condition is remarkable for someone who has been missing for such an extended period,” Mower commented.
Kosciuszko National Park features Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s tallest peak, rising to 2,228 meters (7,310 feet) above sea level. Despite this, Australia’s landscape remains relatively flat, and the weather during this time of year is generally mild in the Southern Hemisphere summer.
Search teams had maintained hope throughout the search, given that Nazari was an experienced hiker and had come prepared with a tent. Recent discoveries of his campfire, camera, and hiking poles indicated that he was actively on the move during the time he was lost.
