National Guard rescue climber who fell 700 feet

Video shows a dramatic rescue of an injured hiker on Oregon’s Mount Hood. (Source: PORTLAND MOUNTAIN RESCUE via CNN Newsource)
Published: Jul. 10, 2024 at 11:01 AM EDT

GOVERNMENT CAMP, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - Newly released video shows the rescue of a climber who had fallen 700 feet on Mount Hood.

According to authorities, a 55-year-old man was climbing a very steep route known as the Old Chute route Saturday morning when he slipped. The climber was unable to stop his fall due to the frozen, snowy surface and tumbled about 700 feet.

The climber received multiple injuries in the fall, fortunately, none of them were life-threatening, according to a statement from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.

A couple of off-duty military medics witnessed the fall and climbed down to help the man. Two Mount Hood National Forest rangers also were in the area and provided first aid to the injured climber.

Search and Rescue crews descended on the scene shortly after.

Thanks to good weather conditions, an Air National Guard helicopter was able to land nearby and airlifted the injured climber to a Portland hospital.

The injured man was identified as Chris Zwierzynski, a resident of Arizona.

“May through early July is a popular time to climb Mount Hood, and good climbing conditions have lasted longer this year than most,” said Mark Morford of Portland Mountain Rescue. “Nevertheless, all routes up the mountain are technical, requiring specialized training and equipment.

All routes become progressively more difficult approaching the summit, which can lure inexperienced climbers into situations beyond their skill.”

Morford said climbers are urged to get proper training from organizations such as Mazamas or to climb with a qualified guide.