After almost two weeks missing in the rugged Australian Alps and with barely more than a couple of muesli bars to eat, Hadi Nazari has been found alive.
How he managed to survive will have to wait until police can fully debrief him, with the Melbourne student taken to hospital for assessment on Wednesday afternoon.
The 23-year-old was found by hikers near Blue Lake in Kosciuszko National Park about 3pm.
Mr Nazari was initially winched to safety and assessed by paramedics but was understood to be healthy, NSW Police Superintendent Andrew Spliet told reporters.
"He doesn't appear to have any significant injuries," he said.
Mr Nazari was found about 10km from the command post set up to look for him, a search involving hundreds of people scouring thick bushland over almost two weeks.
"He's covered a lot of ground," Supt Spliet said.
Along the way he came across a hut in the mountains.
"There were two muesli bars up there that he's eaten and that's pretty much all that he's had to consume over the last two weeks," Supt Spliet said.
Mr Nazari also foraged for berries and drank water where he could find it, police said.
He told the hikers who came across him he was "very thirsty" but from all accounts he was in "really good health", Supt Spliet said.
Mr Nazari's overjoyed sister Zahra released a statement on behalf of the family.
"We are so grateful Hadi is safe and sound," it said.
"We are grateful for everyone involved in helping us find my brother."
Mr Nazari's friend Muhammad Iylas told ABC News he was in shock but full of happiness to see him again.
"He's a hero, like 14 days without food ... he's doing like perfectly well," he said.
Mr Nazari was reported missing on Boxing Day by two friends after he failed to arrive at a campground where they had arranged to meet.
He had last been seen descending the Hannels Spur trail near Geehi, between Khancoban and Thredbo, about 2.30pm on December 26.
Rubbish, hiking poles, a campfire, lighter and camera belonging to him were found during the search.
Finding Mr Nazari alive after almost two weeks was an incredible outcome, NSW Police Inspector Josh Broadfoot said.
"We never gave up hope of finding him and we are elated we can return him safely to his family,” he said.
Insp Broadfoot thanked partner agencies who assisted in the search along with volunteers.
SES deputy zone commander Matt Price said volunteers were ecstatic after searching tirelessly for 13 days.
"The team have worked through some of the most difficult terrain and heatwave conditions, so when they finally heard he had been located safe and well, there was an amazing sense of pride and joy at the outcome," he said.
