A 55-year-old climber from Arizona is recovering after falling 700 toes whereas on the Previous Chute route on Mount Hood’s south aspect (11,200ft elevation). Chris Zwierzynski fell on Saturday round 7:45 a.m. He was unable to self arrest and ended up tumbling into the Sizzling Rocks space, sustaining a number of accidents throughout his uncontrolled descent. Just a few off-duty army medics and two Mount Hood Nationwide Forest climbing rangers witnessed fall and shortly descended to manage help till a Nationwide Guard helicopter arrived performing a “scorching touchdown” on a portion of the Hogsback to evacuate the injured climber. Mr. Zwierzynski underwent a number of surgical procedures at a Portland space hospital.
Portland Mountain Rescue Assertion:
On Saturday, July 6, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Workplace and Hood River County Sheriff’s Workplace led a mission to evacuate a critically injured climber from Mt. Hood.
Round 7:45 a.m. on July 6, 2024, a climber slipped on the Previous Chute route on Mt. Hood. It is a very steep climbing route, excessive on the mountain’s south aspect, positioned at round 11,200′ elevation. The snow floor was frozen, and the climber was unable to arrest his fall — tumbling about 700 toes right down to the Sizzling Rocks space and sustaining a number of accidents. Happily, assist was close by: A few off-duty army medics witnessed his fall and descended to assist. Two Mt. Hood Nationwide Forest climbing rangers additionally had been within the space, and supplied first help to the injured climber.
Search & Rescue Coordinators from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Workplace and Hood River County Sheriff’s Workplace activated a joint mission. They known as on personnel from Portland Mountain Rescue and the Hood River Crag Rats to mount an evacuation. The Oregon Division of Emergency Administration and U.S. Forest Service additionally joined the mission. Given the affected person’s vital situation, SAR Coordinators requested helicopter transport from the Oregon Military Nationwide Guard’s 189th Aviation Regiment, which focuses on medical evacuations.
PMR and Crag Rats rescuers reached the affected person shortly after 1 p.m. They stabilized the affected person and ready him for transport.
Glorious flight circumstances allowed the Nationwide Guard helicopter to do a dramatic “scorching touchdown” on a portion of the Hogsback. Rescuers transported the affected person to the plane, which then flew him to a Portland hospital for emergency therapy.
In accordance with Mark Morford of Portland Mountain Rescue, “Might by early July is a well-liked time to climb Mt. Hood, and good climbing circumstances have lasted longer this yr than most. All routes up the mountain are technical, requiring specialised coaching and tools. All routes develop into progressively harder approaching the summit, which may lure inexperienced climbers into conditions past their talent. PMR urges climbers to get correct coaching from a corporation just like the Mazamas, or to climb with a professional information.”
