A climber from Mount Hood in Oregon was rescued Saturday after surviving a 700-foot fall on a steep, icy route near the Mountain top, officials said.
Chris Zwierzynski, 55, of Arizona, was climbing to about 11,200 feet on the Old Chute route, a “very steep climbing route” on the south side of the mountain, when he slipped at 7:45 a.m. and suffered serious injuries, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said.
“The snow surface was frozen and the climber was unable to stop his fall – he fell approximately 700 feet to the Hot Rocks area and suffered multiple injuries,” the sheriff’s office added.
Two off-duty military medics witnessed his fall and immediately went down to help, authorities said. Two Mount Hood National Forest rangers were also nearby and quickly administered first aid to the injured climber.
COAST GUARD RESCUES 5 MEN TRAPPED ATOP CAPSIZED BOAT 11 MILES OFF FLORIDA COAST
Ideal weather conditions on the mountain allowed a National Guard helicopter to perform a “hot landing.” (Clackamas County Sheriff/Portland Mountain Rescue)
Rescuers arrived at the climber’s scene shortly after 1 p.m. and stabilized him to transport him off the mountain.
A National Guard Helicopter The climber made a spectacular “hot landing” on a section of the mountain called Hogsback because of the excellent flying conditions around the mountain. Authorities said the ideal conditions on the mountain allowed rescuers to get the injured climber off the mountain in just six hours after his fall.
The climber was evacuated by helicopter from the mountain about six hours after his fall, authorities said. (Clackamas County Sheriff/Portland Mountain Rescue)
No update on the climber’s condition was immediately provided.
The climber slipped while climbing the Old Chute route at about 11,200 feet on Mount Hood. (Clackamas County Sheriff/Portland Mountain Rescue)
Authorities have warned climbers that although climbing conditions have remained good for longer than usual this year, the mountain’s routes remain dangerous for those who are unprepared.
MOTORCYCLIST DIES IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, ANOTHER HOSPITALIZED IN TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT
“However, all routes up the mountain are technical and require specialist training and equipment,” says Mark Morford of Mountain Rescue in Portland “All routes become progressively more difficult as they approach the summit, which can lead inexperienced climbers into situations beyond their abilities,” he said in a statement.
Morford said that all potential climbers are encouraged to seek proper training from an organization such as the Mazamas, or to climb with a qualified guide.
Mount Hood is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Portland and rises to an elevation of 11,249 feet.
