Rescued hiker Hadi Nazari has been released from hospital and will continue to recover at home from 13 days lost in the Australian Alps.
Nazari, treated for dehydration at Cooma Hospital after his ordeal, was discharged on Friday morning and will return home to Melbourne.
Nazari was found by a group of hikers on Wednesday, near Blue Lake in Kosciuszko National Park, after friends last saw him descending the Hannels Spur trail on Boxing Day.
Search and rescue specialist Paul Luckin told AAP he was glad his earlier doubts about Nazari being found alive after almost two weeks had not been confirmed.
“I love to be wrong when I’m pessimistic,” he said.
“I’m always delighted when we have a survivor… and it was always a possibility.”
In a statement on Thursday, Nazari praised the tireless work of emergency services staff who spent 13 days searching for him in difficult conditions.
“I would also like to thank the public, family and friends for their good wishes and prayers,” Nazari said in a statement issued through the New South Wales Police.
While much of the credit goes to the hundreds of rescuers and volunteers who spent nearly two weeks finding Nazari, there was an element of luck when he encountered a group of other hikers, Luckin said.
Rescuers found missing hiker Hadi Nazari after nearly two weeks of searching
Hussain Ali, Hadi Nazari’s cousin, says the rescued hiker is doing well. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
“It was some distance away from where it was expected to be because it kept moving and covered a very large distance,” he said.
It’s unlikely Nazari would have had much idea where he was going, given the terrain and thick vegetation, Luckin said.
But the grueling experience and its incredible, positive outcome left some lessons.
“In most cases the best advice is that as soon as you realize you’re lost, stop, because then you’ll be closer to the last known point,” Mr Luckin said.
“You have a much better chance of being found and a much better chance of being found soon.”
Hadi Nazari was found alive after a 13-day search involving hundreds of rescuers and volunteers.
Those heading to a remote area should familiarize themselves with the terrain and carry maps and personal locator beacons.
Beacons cost between $300 and $400 and can be rented for free in several national parks in New South Wales, including Kosciuszko.