Tasmania Police said the experience and skill of hiker Michael Bowman allowed for an excellent outcome with his rescue in the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Michael Bowman, of Victoria, was found when the Westpac Rescue Helicopter spotted his tent from above shortly before 4pm near Mount Cuvier.
Police and State Emergency Service ground crews and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter had been searching for the 57-year-old for three days after he failed to return to the Lake St Clair visitor centre as expected on Saturday.
Police said Mr Bowman was very cold when found but he did not have any sign of other medical problems.
He was transported to Hobart via helicopter to be assessed at the Royal Hobart Hospital as a precaution.
Search controller, Senior Constable Kristy Eyles, said Mr Bowman's experience was vital to his rescue.
"Without the experience that he's had in alpine environments in Victoria and other wilderness areas in Tasmania its likely we would have had a very different outcome," Senior Constable Eyles said.
Although Mr Bowman was carrying an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon, he was unable to activate it when he came into trouble because he became separated from his pack about 10 days before being rescued.
Mr Bowman had set up camp in the Mount Cuvier area and had taken a day trip to Coal Hill.
"While he was at Coal Hill he placed his pack down and became separated from his pack when a heavy fog came into the area," Senior Constable Eyles said.
"He spent a night in the cold on Coal Hill."
"The next day he was able to trace his footsteps back and he made it back to his tent where he has been for nine or 10 days."
Mr Bowman had a small amount of food in his tent where he awaited rescue.
Senior Constable Eyles said Mr Bowman demonstrated his experience by doing the right thing of waiting for help in the most likely spot for a rescue.
She said the area where he was spotted was very rugged terrain with chest-deep snow.
Acting Inspector Phil Curtis said police had also located a missing youth in Hobart's Northern suburbs who was allegedly involved in a vehicle theft.
Police had held concern for the youth's welfare due to the treacherous conditions in the Southwest National Park, where the youth was believed to have been.
"Investigations continue into the circumstances of [the alleged theft]," Acting Inspector Curtis said.
"The three suspects have been spoken to and investigations are underway."