KEY POINTS:
An "appreciative but embarrassed" Englishman is safe and well after wandering off the Tongariro Alpine Crossing Track yesterday.
Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said the 32-year-old man was one of several bus passengers taken to the track about 8am yesterday.
He hiked to the Red Crater summit, reaching it about 11am, but while returning lost his way in cloud as he could not see the route markers. He rang police about 12.15pm.
"He was encouraged to stay put and to keep warm the best he could," Mr Shepherd said.
"He still had drink and food and was able to walk a few metres along a ridge to keep warm. There was a brisk wind and the temperature was below zero, with occasional drizzle falling. The conditions were rather challenging for everybody."
The man was found about 6.30pm about 1km from the track. He was escorted out by midnight.
He had been in New Zealand for three months and would leave, as planned, tomorrow.
"He was very appreciative of the rescuers efforts but a little embarrassed by the fuss he had caused," Mr Shepherd said.
- NZPA
