Extraordinary new details emerge about how a lost hiker survived for 13 days in Kosciuszko National Park – as rescuers reveal what he ate and the first thing he said

A hiker who spent nearly a fortnight lost in Kosciuszko National Park took shelter in a hut while surviving on water and only two granola bars.

Student Hadi Nazari, 23, from Melbourne, separated from friends to take photos along the Hannels Spur Trail between Khancoban and Thredbo in the NSW Snowy Mountains on Boxing Day.

He spent 13 days in the bush until he spotted a group of passing hikers on Wednesday afternoon and called out to them, explaining he was lost and thirsty.

As Mr. Nazari was brought to safety and examined by paramedics, authorities revealed incredible details about his survival.

“One of my police officers on scene had spoken to him and he said he had found a hut up there in the mountains and there were two granola bars up there,” said Chief Inspector Andrew Spliet.

“That’s pretty much all he’s consumed in the last two weeks.

“Further details of where he has been and how he actually took care of himself are yet to be determined.

“Police will speak to him, hopefully tomorrow, to talk about his experiences in the bush and what happened.”

Chief Inspector Spliet said it was ‘fantastic news’ for all agencies involved in the search.

“It was something that the crew, the police and the other organizations that were involved put a lot of time and effort into trying to get a successful outcome from this.”

“So it’s just fantastic news to hear over the radio that he’s been located.”

Supt Spliet added that Nazari’s previous hiking experience and his overall ‘fit’ health likely helped him survive the ordeal.

“We really just want to know what he actually did,” he said.

“Did he lie in the shade during the day, did he find trails he could get on?

“…He did a really good job.”

Mr Nazari, a neurosurgeon student from Melbourne, was found at 3.15pm by hikers, who were not part of the search, about 20km from the main police command post in Geehi.

The 23-year-old identified himself as a missing hiker and told the group he was “thirsty,” prompting the hikers to call emergency services.

‘He was called to some hikers who were nearby, he told them he was lost in the bush and was thirsty. Those people then contacted emergency services,” said Supt Spliet.

‘…He is being taken to an area hospital to be checked and to ensure he is fit and in good health.

“I can tell you that he has been reunited with his family, who are very happy to have him back and are very pleased with the efforts of the police and the other organizations that assisted in this operation.”

Police shared a discovery on Tuesday that fueled hopes that Nazari was still alive.

Searches on Sunday found a camera, a camera bag and a lighter next to the remains of a small campfire.

On Wednesday it was announced that Nazari had recorded a message for the emergency services and his loved ones on the device.

Speaking in Indonesian, Mr Nazari said he had drunk water and apologized for being missing.

Riverina Police District Inspector Josh Broadfoot thanked the more than 300 people who joined the search for the hiker over the past two weeks.

“This is an incredible outcome, after 13 long days he has been located,” he said.

‘We would like to thank our partner organizations from the emergency services, volunteers and citizens for their help.

“We have never given up hope of finding him, and we are thrilled that we can safely return him to his family.”

NSW Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit and Riverina Police District officers, the SES, National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Ambulance, RFS, VRA Rescue NSW, PolAir and Westpac Lifesaver all assisted in the search.