Sydney-based labourer Cuoran was visiting Wanaka with his aunt and two cousins for a relative's wedding, and said one of his main goals during his short holiday in New Zealand was to "climb a mountain".
On Sunday morning, Cuoran bought warm wet-weather gear and left to climb the peak about noon, but after reaching the summit began to doubt his ability to get back down the steep, snow-covered terrain.
"In the rush, I didn't think that the way I came up was almost vertical, and there was no way I could have trusted myself to go down without falling," he said.
After attempting to find and negotiate an easier route, Cuoran ended up in the Waterfall Creek area, in dense scrub about halfway down the mountain, below the snow line.
He was wet from slipping in the creek, exhausted, lost, and it was getting dark. About 6pm, he reluctantly decided to alert emergency services.
"I could see the lights of Wanaka and I could see the lake and I was so close, but I was so far as well. I just felt really foolish having to call."
His greatest concern was for his family. He knew they would be distressed by his failure to return by 4.30pm as planned.
Cuoran's Australian cellphone was not set to roaming, so the only number he could dial was the emergency services; and nobody could call him.
His aunt, Annabel O'Flynn, said she and other family members were "absolutely praying" for Cuoran's safe return.
They had feared the worst.
LandSAR Wanaka chairman Roy Bailey said the fact Cuoran had a hearing impairment had complicated the rescue, because one of the search techniques used was stopping at regular intervals and shouting or blowing a whistle to elicit a response from the missing person.
Mr Bailey said Cuoran had "done the right thing" by seeking help.
"He was floundering around in the dark and he probably would have hurt himself if he tried to carry on, so he made the right call."
Cuoran was rescued about 10.20pm on Sunday and flown to the Department of Conservation helipad for a reunion with his relatives.
"I just dived on him and gave him a hug and then cried on his shoulder," Ms O'Flynn said.
Despite feeling "sore and aching" after his ordeal, Cuoran was still able to attend his uncle's wedding yesterday and celebrate his rescue with his relieved family, who offered a heartfelt thank you to the search-and-rescue crew.
