The frustrated family of a hiker who went missing more than a week ago have said they are upset that more resources are not being mobilized for their rescue operation.
Hadi Nazari, 24, disappeared after breaking away from friends to take photographs in the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales on December 26.
The two companions he was hiking with alerted authorities after Nazari failed to return from his detour near Hannels Spur Trail in Geehi after dark.
They had been hiking in Kosciuszko National Park four days ago and the trip was only going to last five days.
Now Mr Nazari’s family in Melbourne, where he is also from, have called on police to make more efforts to find him.
Her sister, Zahra Nazari, said she was especially frustrated that Victorian authorities had not come to assist in the operation on Friday.
Despite his disappearance in New South Wales, Nazari was last seen in a remote area approximately 21 kilometers from the Victorian border.
Riverina Police District Acting Superintendent Jill Gibson said more than 250 people were already involved in the rescue being led by New South Wales Police.
Hadi Nazari, 24, disappeared in the Snowy Mountains, New South Wales, on December 26.
Currently, more than 250 rescuers are trying to locate him.
Nazari said his family was “pleading” with police to channel more resources into the search given the large area they are combing to find his brother.
“The police say they have the resources they need (but) given how large the search area is, wouldn’t it be wise to get more people in there?” he said. he told ABC.
‘Today is the ninth day (of the search). We want more people, we want more resources. “We are simply pleading and requesting the New South Wales Police to put it into practice.”
Nazari said his family’s hope of finding his brother diminishes each day the search continues.
“I don’t want to lose him, I just want him to be alive, I want him to be found,” she said.
Superintendent Gibson said in a statement that “some of the most experienced searchers” in New South Wales were involved in the rescue.
“We have had the participation of some of the most experienced searchers in the state, including operators from the LANDSAR Police Rescue Unit, search and rescue operators from the State Emergency Services and search and rescue operators from Bush of the Volunteer Rescue Association and rangers from the National Parks and Wildlife Service.” she said.
“In addition, during the eight days we have received planes from various agencies.”
Mr Nazari’s family have said they are “pleading” with police to increase the size of their rescue operation given the size of the area in which he became lost.
Riverina Police District Acting Superintendent Jill Gibson said their search will continue over the weekend and features some of the state’s most experienced rescuers.
The search will continue over the weekend as rescue teams are moved into difficult terrain to search deeper into the nature reserve.
“This remains an active search and rescue and we do not give up hope of finding him alive,” Superintendent Gibson confirmed.
“Our search teams are focusing on creek lines and water sources, where we believe Hadi may be.”
Mr. Nazari turned 24 on New Year’s Eve while lost in the Snowy Mountains.
On the same day, teams found hiking poles and trash believed to have been left in dense bush near the Kosciuszko River, about 42 kilometers away from Geehi by trail.
Following the discovery, State Emergency Service Superintendent Matthew Price said the river area had become their new search focus.
“We look at the topography of the area and there have been a lot of studies done on the behavior of lost people and what different people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences do when they get lost,” Mr Price said.
“NSW Police uses that science and experience to align the search tactics our guys deploy on the ground.”
Mr. Nazari got lost after separating from his two friends to take photos alone
The two friends he was hiking with alerted authorities after Nazari failed to return from his detour near Hannels Spur Trail in Geehi after dark.
Nazari, an experienced hiker, was last seen by friends at around 2.30pm on Boxing Day, while making a difficult descent along what is known as the Hannels Spur trail in Kosciuszko National Park.
Search and rescue specialist Paul Luckin, who assisted police in the search, said that of the 105 searches he joined last year, only three people were found alive after long periods alone in the desert.
“We don’t have many who are missing for an extended period and come out alive,” he told AAP.
“Ultimately, their survival will depend on finding drinking water and probably staying in that water.”
Dr Luckin said water availability in the area where Nazari went missing was scarce.
“Whether you can find water or not depends on the terrain and the density of the vegetation. It is well known that the vegetation in that particular area is very dense, very thick,” he said.
“There is some water (there), but accessing it is difficult.”
The Hannels Spur trail is considered one of the most challenging walking trails in Australia, with an elevation change of 1800m.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted police in New South Wales and Victoria for comment.