An Australian tourist who was missing for two nights on a Queenstown walking track says he screamed when he first heard the rescue helicopter that was looking for him.
Robert Galdamez, 25, went missing on Tuesday afternoon, failing to return from a hike in the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve.
What was originally only planned as a day walk turned into a nightmare when the Melburnian realised he had taken a different route to what he had planned.
Mr Galdamez told Newshub from his hospital bed that fear began to set in when he realised he was lost.
"I must admit it was very scary, I really thought I was going to die," he says.
That was, until he heard the rescue helicopter for the first time in the early hours of Thursday morning.
"At that stage I knew that they were coming to look for me," he says.
"I started screaming."
A team of search dogs and police found the missing hiker near the summit of the Ben Lomond track.
Mr Galdamez came out of the ordeal with hypothermia, minor cuts and bruises.
He said on Thursday morning that he was feeling a lot better, but still a little run down from the whole incident.
Mr Galdamez had advice for others planning day walks: "Never hike by yourself, that's the main thing.
"Pack up on the essentials, make sure you've got water, food, good hiking equipment [and a] waterproof jacket just in case the worst happens."
Mr Galdamez wanted to thank the emergency services involved.
He says he still loves New Zealand and hopes to return to Queenstown in the future.
"Despite what happened I do love the country, especially Queenstown. I'd definitely like to come back," he says.
Newshub.
