In brief
A 23-year-old named Hadi Nazari survived for nearly two weeks lost in the Australian wilderness, relying on scant food and freshwater sources, before being found alive by fellow hikers.
On December 26, 2025, Hadi Nazari embarked on a solo hike in Kosciuszko National Park, located approximately 240 miles south of Sydney. He was reported missing the same day when he did not arrive at the expected campground where his friends awaited. Alarm bells were raised around 8:45 p.m. that evening when they lost contact with him, having last seen him approximately six hours earlier as he headed off onto the Hannels Spur trail alone.In the ensuing days, a search operation ensued involving nearly 400 responders who scoured both the air and the dense terrain for signs of the young hiker. Throughout this challenging search, authorities held onto the hope that Nazari would be found alive due to his experience as a hiker and the camping gear he had packed.As days passed, some of his belongings like hiking poles and campfire remnants were located near the Kosciuszko and Geehi Rivers. The search area was notorious for its dense bushland, making visibility and navigation particularly hazardous for rescuers.Finally, on January 8, 2026, at approximately 3:15 p.m., a stroke of luck turned the tides. A group of hikers situated near Blue Lake, roughly six miles from the campground, heard Nazari calling out for help. He was found alive, albeit dehydrated and disoriented. Emergency services soon arrived, airlifting him to a command post where he underwent medical evaluations, marking the end to a harrowing 13-day ordeal in the wild.
