Exhausted but uninjured, bushwalker Karina Scott tucked into baked beans and ham this morning after surviving a three night ordeal missing in rugged mountains near Canberra.
A helicopter pilot spotted the 31-year-old, who was waving her arms, about 8.30am (AEST) today and she taken to Canberra Hospital a short time later.
Ms Scott was reported missing on Wednesday night when she did not return from a planned eight-hour hike in the Namadgi National Park.
When she was found her muesli bars and small water supply had run out and police gave her some baked beans and ham.
"She was dehydrated, she had scratched legs and was covered in dirt but was otherwise okay," ACT Police spokesman Peter Brewer said.
"She was walking, she was tired but she was very, very happy to see the police officers.
"It was a bit of luck and a bit of good fortune that we found her."
Ms Scott had tried to attract the attention of helicopters flying overhead yesterday but to no avail.
She was wearing just shorts, a top and a lightweight waterproof jacket and had no sleep for the three nights of below zero temperatures.
"I think that might of kept her going, the fact that people were looking," Mr Brewer said.
"She was motivated by the fact she knew that everyone was looking for her and sooner or later it was going to work out.
"It is really quite extraordinary.
Mr Brewer said Ms Scott was found near the main track, the Nursery Creek Swamp Trail, from where she set out.
"We understand that she may have been walking off an old map. She may have gone off on a track that was no longer in use," he said.
"We think she had been walking in circles for days."
Ms Scott's partner and brothers were on hand to greet her shortly after she was found.
