Craig Berg, 70, was found alive Saturday near Intermediate Lake after spending 11 days missing in Isle Royale National Park, more than a mile off established trails.
Two kayakers spotted Berg by chance and relayed his location, allowing a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk crew to hoist him to safety.
Berg had been overdue since Sept. 6 after a planned multi-day hike; searchers had used ground teams, dogs, boats, aircraft and drones but had no success by Sept. 11.
A fall into a marsh left Berg without his wallet and phone, and he was reportedly hypothermic and injured when found, though the National Park Service said he was alert and recovering in Marquette.
The Park Service credited public and private search partners for the outcome, while Berg's family publicly thanked the two kayakers who stumbled across him in one of the country's most remote parks.