Two bushwalkers reported "missing" in the New South Wales Blue Mountains have been found safe and well, saying they're feeling "good" and weren't lost at all.
A rescue party located the men, aged 69 and 81, in the Megalong Valley about 1am on Tuesday morning, more than 24 hours after the search began on Sunday.
Fears were raised for the welfare of the men, who left Dunphy's campground on Wednesday, telling a friend they would return on Friday.
The experienced hikers were out in the elements during a hot weekend, west of Sydney, and the alarm was raised when the younger man failed to keep an appointment on Sunday.
After being escorted out of the bush, 81-year-old Klaus Umland, said a combination of "very hot" weather and overgrown walking tracks had delayed the duo's return.
"We had a bit of a thunderstorm as well," he said. "Most of the time the phones don't work.
"See, in the middle of the day, we wouldn't walk because it was too hot. You need a lot of water to go up the hill."
Mr Umland said he'd been hiking in the mountains for 40 years and had never seen the tracks in such a state.
"There used to be some really good tracks in here," he said. "They all are, I would say, overgrown."
The second man, Alfred Zawadzki, said they had brought enough food for three days but had to spread it over six.
He said it normally took three days to walk out of the valley, but the condition of the terrain added time to the trip.
"It wasn't the weather. It was the bush," he said.
Neither of the men had suffered any injuries and were assessed by paramedics.
They were found near Mobbs Swamp after a multi-agency search was launched on Sunday.
Blue Mountains police Inspector Steve Velutas said the rescue operation began on Monday night at 7pm and lasted about 12 hours.
After a "very long" walk back to civilisation, Mr Umland and Mr Zawadzki made their own way home, he said.
"We were able to get communication up with the gentlemen last night and, as a result, we could identify where they were in the bushland," he said.
"I imagine the family and friends are very grateful that they've been located safe and well. And we've been able to get them out healthy.
"There may have been an element of not knowing where they were, but they were very capable in terms of their ability.
"From what I understand is, it was their choice to stay longer."
Officers from local police stations, the rescue squad, PolAir, NSW Ambulance, the Rural Fire Service, the State Emergency Service and a heat-detecting plane from Victoria were used to find the men.
Detective Inspector Michael Marinello said the predicament highlighted the importance of safety equipment, food, water and communication devices while hiking.
"It is also important to let someone know your intended route, what tracks you are taking and your estimated return time. If there is any change to the original plan, then tell someone," he said.
"Please ensure you register your trip with the appropriate agency, such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and think before you trek: Know what the weather conditions will be like, know your physical abilities and make your bushwalk a safe one."
