57 year old Victorian bushwalker Michael Bowman has this afternoon been found safe and well within the designated search area by a search and rescue crew on the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Mr Bowman was located at his campsite on Mt Cuvier just before 4pm today after spending approximately ten days in his tent, separated from the rest of his belongings.

Mr Bowman set up camp at Mt Cuvier and went on a short day walk to Coal Hill where he placed his pack down and then became separated from it when heavy fog descended on the area. He was then unable to locate his pack and spent a night in the cold at Coal Hill until the next day when he followed his footprints back to his tent and stayed there for approximately nine or ten days until he was rescued.

“Mr Bowman’s survival is a reflection of his level of skill and experience in the wilderness. He did all the right things in order to survive in the conditions he found himself in,” said Search Controller Senior Constable Kristy Eyles.

“He took his pack and his EPIRB with him on his day walk, he left a small amount of food with his tent and when he became stranded he made his way back to his tent to await rescue.

“For anyone with less experience this could have been a very different result. Thankfully, he was in good health when he was rescued,” she said.

Mr Bowman was transported to Hobart by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and has been taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for a health check.

Tasmania Police would like to thank the many people who assisted in the search including State Emergency Service, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Ambulance Tasmania.

Tasmania Police reminds people entering an area affected by snow and alpine weather conditions to be prepared and properly equipped.

Tasmanian alpine conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable.

If you’re planning to enter an alpine area you should:

• be an experienced bushwalker,
• have the right equipment,
• know the weather forecast,
• let someone know where you’re going and when you plan to return.