A climber on Mount Hood in Oregon was rescued Saturday after surviving a 700-foot fall on a steep, icy route near the top of the mountain, authorities said.
Chris Zwierzynski, 55, of Arizona, had climbed 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 arrest his fall, falling approximately 700 feet to the Hot Rocks area and suffering multiple injuries,” the sheriff's office added.
Two off-duty military medics witnessed his fall and immediately went down to help him, officials said. Two Mount Hood National Forest rangers were also nearby and quickly provided first aid to the injured climber.
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Ideal weather conditions on the mountain allowed a National Guard helicopter to make a “hot landing.” (Clackamas County Sheriff/Portland Mountain Rescue)
Rescuers arrived at the climber's location shortly after 1 p.m. and stabilized him for transport off the mountainside.
A National Guard helicopter made a dramatic “hot landing” on a section of the mountain called Hogsback because of the excellent flying conditions in the area. Officials 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 airlifted off 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 had 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 while climbing conditions have remained good for longer than usual this year, routes up the mountain remain dangerous for those who are unprepared.
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“However, all routes up the mountain are technical and require specialized training and equipment,” Mark Morford of Portland Mountain Rescue said in a statement. “All routes become progressively more difficult as the summit is approached, which can lead inexperienced climbers into situations that are beyond their abilities.”
Morford said all prospective climbers are urged to receive appropriate training from an organisation such as Mazamas, or to climb with a qualified guide.
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Mount Hood is located about 50 miles southeast of Portland and rises to an elevation of 11,249 feet.
