The father of a bushwalker missing in the Kosciuszko National Park has spoken of his family's pain, 12 days into a search across the area.
Hadi Nazari has not been seen since he began descending the Hannels Spur track at about 2.30pm on 26 December.
The 23-year-old had set out with a small water bottle, tent, sleeping bag and his camera but failed to meet up with friends at the Geehi campground.
His father, Mohammad Juma Nazari, said the family was "very worried".
"The entire family, his mother, his sisters, the entire family is very disturbed. Very stressed," he said.
"I hope God does not give anyone else this stress."
He described his son as a "very nice boy, a good person", and said he had been studying to become a neurosurgeon.
"I can't speak more nicely of him," he said.
"All I want from God is for Hadi to return and to work for the government of Australia. That's all we want, for him to contribute positively to everyone."
NSW SES personnel are still searching for missing 23-year-old hiker Hadi Nazari in the Kosciuszko National Park. Credit: SUPPLIED/PR IMAGE
The search has intensified in the area where the items were found — the first sign of Nazari since rubbish and hiking poles were discovered on New Year's Eve.
"We're very hopeful (he's still alive) and we'll continue the search until we're very comfortable that we've done everything that we possibly can," Riverina Police District superintendent Andrew Spliet told reporters at Geehi on Tuesday.
"He's got access to water, that's the reason we're still out here."
The search for Hadi Nazari has intensified in the area where items belonging to him were found Source: AAP / Supplied by NSW Police
"He's obviously moving around, no doubt, trying to get where his bearings are, and so forth."
"He's got a history of hiking around the place, so he is aware of these surrounds, and he has got some capability to protect himself from the elements."
More than 300 people have been involved in the search including friends and family.
