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 almost a fortnight lost in Kosciuszko National Park sought shelter in a hut while surviving on water and just two muesli bars.

Melbourne student Hadi Nazari, 23, 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 that he was lost and thirsty. 

As Mr Nazari was winched to safety and assessed by paramedics, authorities revealed incredible details of his survival.

‘One of my police at the scene had spoken to him and he, he relayed that he found a hut up there in the mountains and there were two muesli bars up there,’ Superintendent Andrew Spliet said.

‘That’s pretty much all that he’s had to consume over the last two weeks.

‘Further details about where he’s been and how he’s actually looked after himself are still yet to be determined.

‘Police will speak with him, hopefully tomorrow, just to debrief on his experience in the bush and what happened.’

Mr Nazari (pictured as he reunited with family) survived on just two muesli bars for 13 days

Mr Nazari was found by hikers, who were not part of the search party (pictured, the hikers sitting Mr Nazari while waiting to be winched out)

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

‘It was something that the crew, the police, the other organisations that have been there, have put a lot of time, a lot of lot of effort into trying to get a successful result into this.’

‘So, to hear that come over the radio that he’s been located is just fantastic news.’

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

‘We really just want to find out what he’s actually done,’ he said.

‘Has he rested in the shade during the day, has he found walking tracks that he’s been able to get on?

‘…He’s done really well.’

Mr Nazari, a Melbourne neurosurgeon student, was found by hikers, who were not part of the search party, at 3:15pm around 20km from the main police command post in Geehi.

Mr Nazari identified himself as a missing hiker and told the group he was ‘thirsty’, prompting the hikers to call emergency services

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 out to some hikers who were in the area, he told them that he’d been lost in the bush and was thirsty. Those people then contacted emergency services,’ Supt Spliet said.

‘…He’ll be conveyed to a hospital in the area to be checked out and make sure that he is fit and in good health.

‘I can advise he’s been reunited with his family, who are very happy to have him back and very happy with the efforts from police and the other organisations who assisted in this operation.’

Police on Tuesday shared a discovery which fuelled hope Mr Nazari was alive.

Searches found a camera, camera case and a lighter found beside the remnants of a small campfire on Sunday.

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

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

More than 300 people across multiple agencies were involved in the 13-day search for Mr Nazari

Mr Nazari was winched to safety by a helicopter and flown to police’s main command post on Wednesday

‘We want to thank our emergency services partner agencies, volunteers and members of the public for their assistance. 

‘We never gave up hope of finding him, and we are elated we can return him safely 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.