MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – A remarkable survival story has emerged from the remote Australian mountain range, where a hiker managed to endure two weeks lost in the wilderness, subsisting on only two muesli bars, foraged berries, and creek water. The incident involves Hadi Nazari, a 23-year-old medical student from Melbourne who went missing on December 26 while hiking in the Kosciuszko National Park, situated in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales state.

Nazari separated from his two hiking companions to take photographs, after which he became disoriented and lost. His disappearance prompted an extensive search operation that began the same day, mobilizing more than 300 searchers utilizing both land and air resources. Given the challenging terrain and the dense woods of the area, search teams worked tirelessly in hopes of finding him alive.

On the afternoon of his rescue, Nazari approached a group of hikers, expressing that he was lost and in need of water. Police Inspector Josh Broadfoot revealed that the young man had trekked more than 10 kilometers (approximately 6 miles) from the last point where he was seen, showcasing his determination and survival skills amidst difficult conditions.

After being found, Nazari was reunited with his two hiking friends. He was subsequently flown to a hospital for a medical evaluation. Despite his ordeal, Broadfoot reported that Nazari appeared to be in surprisingly good spirits and health. "He seems well: Amazing," he declared to reporters, emphasizing the incredible nature of his survival for 14 days in the wilderness.

The police inspector noted that Nazari had been in a persistent state of movement, saying, "He had been walking from morning until night." Remarkably, the hiker managed to sustain himself primarily through water sourced from local creeks and foraged berries. At one point during his time in the wild, he discovered a couple of muesli bars in a hut, but overall, his food intake was limited over the two-week duration.

Ambulance Inspector Adam Mower commented on Nazari’s condition, stating that he merely required treatment for dehydration. Mower described him as being in "remarkable condition" for someone who had been missing for such an extended period.

Kosciuszko National Park, where this incident took place, surrounds Mount Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak, which is only 2,228 meters (7,310 feet) above sea level—a relatively modest elevation considering the vast flat expanses of the Australian continent. Fortunately, the weather during this time of year in the Southern Hemisphere is generally mild, which may have aided his survival.

Throughout the days of searching, hope remained high that the experienced hiker would be found alive. Among the evidence that suggested he was actively navigating the area were the discovery of his campfire, camera, and hiking poles, indicating that he had continued to move throughout his time lost in the bush.

In conclusion, the successful rescue of Hadi Nazari after an arduous two-week ordeal stands as a testament to human resilience and the importance of preparedness in the wilderness. His experience underscores the unpredictability of nature and the critical need for safety measures when engaging in outdoor activities.