Police in Wanaka have commended a tramper from Canada for carrying a beacon and staying put once he realised he was lost in the upper Waiatoto Valley area.
He was located by a helicopter on Saturday on the western side of the Southern Divide.
He had been trapped in dense vegetation by a steep part of creek after taking a wrong turn on the track and was attempting to retrace his steps.
A flight on Friday after he activated his emergency beacon, was forced back due to poor weather and failing light.