Missing tramper in Nelson area found safe and well

Canadian man Owen Thurston has been located.

A missing Canadian tramper has been found safe and well after police issued an appeal for his whereabouts this morning.

Owen Thurston, 20, was reported missing after he failed to make a scheduled call to his family during a hike in the upper South Island.

Police have since issued a release saying they have located the Canadian national.

"He was found by a SAR team at Lake Rotoiti a short time ago, and is safe and well," the release read.

Senior Constable Dave Colville said Thurston phoned police after they left messages on his phone.

"As soon as he got battery power and data he called me up," Colville said.

Thurston was travelling alone and his last known location was near Mt Rintoul, in Mount Richmond Forest Park near Nelson, on October 14.

He began the tramp on Friday, October 13 and was expected to make contact with his family in Canada when he reached Saint Arnaud village on Thursday this week.

However he had not been in touch with his family and they were concerned for his welfare.

Police also received calls from members of the public who had seen Thurston during his travels. Police thanked members of the public who provided such information.

Colville said Thurston's family had been informed of his safety and were "relieved but angry".

He said it was a good result and reminded trampers to sign in at hut books.

"If you are going to be off road you really need to carry a personal locator beacon," he said.