Rescued bushwalker Hadi Nazari has been released from hospital and will continue his recovery after 13 days at home in the Australian Alps.
Nazari was treated for dehydration at Cooma Hospital after his ordeal and was released on Friday morning. He will return to his home in Melbourne.
Mr Nazari was found by a group of hikers on Wednesday, near Blue Lake in the Kosciuszko National Park, after he was last seen by friends descending the Hannels Spur route on Boxing Day.
Search and rescue specialist Paul Luckin told AAP he was pleased his earlier doubts about the prospect of Mr Nazari being found alive after almost two weeks had not been borne out.
“I like to be wrong when I’m pessimistic,” he said.
“I’m always happy when we have a survivor… and that was always possible.”
In a statement on Thursday, Nazari praised the tireless work of emergency services personnel who searched for him for 13 days in difficult circumstances.
“I would also like to thank the public, family and friends for their well wishes and prayers,” Mr Nazari said in a statement released through NSW Police.
While much of the credit was due to the hundreds of rescuers and volunteers who spent nearly two weeks trying to find Mr. Nazari, there was also an element of luck involved when he came across a group of other hikers, Mr. Luckin said.
Rescuers found missing bushwalker Hadi Nazari after almost two weeks of searching
Hussain Ali, cousin of Hadi Nazari, says the rescued hiker is doing well. (Lukas Coch/MONK PHOTOS)
“He was some distance away from where he was supposed to be because he had kept moving and traveled such a long distance,” he said.
It was unlikely Nazari had a good idea where he was going, given the terrain and dense vegetation, Luckin said.
But the grueling experience and its incredible, positive outcome provided some lessons.
“In most cases, the best advice is to stop as soon as you realize you are lost, as this will be the closest you are to the last known point,” Mr Luckin said.
‘You have a much greater chance of being found and a much greater chance of being found early.’
Hadi Nazari was found alive after a thirteen-day search involving hundreds of rescuers and volunteers
Those heading to a remote area should familiarize themselves with the terrain and take maps and personal location beacons with them.
Beacons cost about $300 to $400 and can be rented for free at several national parks in NSW, including Kosciuszko.