Tramper spends freezing night in Marlborough bush

A tramper spent a cold, wet night in the Marlborough Sounds bush after being disorientated. Photo / File

A tramper has been rescued from the bush after spending a cold and wet night high on Mt Stanley in the outer Marlborough Sounds.

The Canterbury man was on the way to Mt Stanley, following the Nydia Track, when he became disorientated in low cloud which enveloped the ridge the tramper was walking on yesterday afternoon.

Lost, cold, wet, tired and with minimal warm gear, he phoned police around 4pm as fog was beginning to set in.

The man had a map with him, a survival blanket, and a personal locator beacon, but no compass, and a phone which did not have GPS capability.

Police were able to determine his location thanks to his locater beacon and by texting him.

Search teams entered the track around 7pm, staying in touch via text and reached the man at around 2am.

They fed him and ensured he had hot drinks, before beginning to walk him out around 3am once he regained his strength.

Senior Constable Al Hendrickson of Blenheim Police said the LandSAR volunteers did a great job in cold and wet conditions.

"It was slow going getting in there and slow coming out, but credit must go to the LandSAR team, they did a great job," he said.

"They put in a great effort through the night and recovered our missing party in an untracked environment, which was a credit to those that went searching for him."

"Speaking with the searchers on their return, I know they are all going home for a hot shower and some well-earned sleep."