An Arizona man's leisurely climb turned nearly fatal this weekend when he fell 700 feet from Mount Hood's southern face. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 55-year-old Chris Zwierzynski suffered critical injuries during the incident. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the fall occurred Saturday morning, around 7:45 a.m., while Zwierzynski was climbing Old Chute, a treacherous ascent to the mountain's summit.
As detailed by the Seattle Times, two off-duty military medics were first to respond to the accident, providing initial medical support to the injured climber. Additionally, two Mount Hood National Forest rangers extended first aid to Zwierzynski on the scene, their proximity to the event allowing rapid assistance.
Succeeding the on-ground aid, clear skies offered an avenue for further rescue. A report by The Seattle Times indicates that the Oregon Army National Guard deployed a helicopter that managed to land on Hogsback, a lower elevation on Mount Hood's southern side. This operation culminated roughly six hours after Zwierzynski's initial fall.
Zwierzynski was eventually transported to a Portland hospital to treat his critical injuries, though specific details concerning the injuries were not disclosed by the sheriff's office.
