UPDATE
A MAN missing in remote bushland in the New England National Park has been found safe and well.
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Police and National Parks NSW crews found Alexander James about midday on Monday.
The search was launched this morning to find the missing 43-year-old. Police said about 12pm, whilst travelling along Horseshoe Road in the New England National Park, staff located a message on a sign believed to be from the missing man.
As crews were returning to the start of the walk, they found the experienced bushwalker safe and well.
Police have thanked the public and rescue crews for their help.
EARLIER
Police have mounted a search to find an experienced bushwalker who is missing in the New England National Park.
Police said Alexander James disappeared in the vicing of the Scraggy Creek Camp area in the national park near Darkwood.
A search is being carried out of the area on Monday in a bid to find the 43-year-old, who set off for a hike on Friday morning.
Police said on Thursday, Mr James and three friends flew to Coffs Harbour with the intentions of hiking from Thungutti Camp area, following the Bellinger River to the Cool Creek camp. The trip was supposed to take three days in total.
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About 9.30am on Friday, four bushwalkers set off along Robinsons Knob trail in an easterly direction. They then took the Grasstree Ridge trail to Scraggy Creek Camp area where they arrived at approximately 8.30pm.
Mr James searched for a campsite independent of the other three bushwalkers, police have been told.
On Saturday morning, they were unable to locate the 43-year-old man and assumed he left and went ahead and planned an early hike.
About 9.50am on Sunday, one of the bushwalkers sent a message to the 43-year-old man to meet at Cool Creek Crossing by 3.30pm, however he failed to return.
Local police were alerted and have been searching for him since. Officers will scour the area on Monday and are appealing for public help from anyone that might have seen Mr James.
Police are reminding bushwalkers to plan their journeys ahead of time, ensure sufficient food, water and warm clothing are always taken, and to stay put and remain together when emergency services have been contacted in the case of an emergency.
Anyone entering the bush - even for a short walk - is reminded to think before you TREK.
T - Take adequate supplies of food, water, navigation and first aid equipment.
R - Register your planned route and tell friends and family when you expect to return.
E - Emergency beacons are available free of charge from police & National Parks & Wildlife Service.
K - Keep to your planned route and follow the map and walking trails.
Visit http://www.trek.nsw.gov.au for more information.
