Chris Zwierzynski, an Arizona man who fell off Oregon’s Mount Hood, has survived miraculously. Zwierzynski was on a mission to reach the summit of the 11,200-foot mountain when he slipped and tumbled down a frightening 700-foot.
Chris Zwierzynski, 55, nursed the ambition to climb the highest points in every state as soon as he turned 50. For five years now, he’s been moving from one Western state to the other, conquering their highest mountains.
He deliberately chose to begin from the west because their mountains are higher and more difficult than those of the other regions. Read along to discover how he fell and survived, his treatment progress, and whether he plans to continue his quest.
What Happened to Chris Zwierzynski?
Chris Zwierzynski has surmounted other mountains in the Western United States before trying out Oregon’s Mount Hood. The snowy-peaked mountain is the main attraction of the Mount Hood National Forest, about 50 miles east of Portland.
Mount Hood isn’t an easy climb, but Zwierzynski believed he was equal to the task. Things were going fine as he approached a height close to 1,000 feet on July 6, 2024. It was a notoriously steep route known as the Old Chute Route.
Unfortunately, things went south at that point. He stumbled and lost his balance, falling horrifying several hundred feet. The frozen and snowy mountain surface denied him the required friction, preventing Zwierzynski from stopping his fall.
The National Guard, precisely, some off-duty medics, swung to action and rushed to his rescue. When they got to him, his body appeared mangled and bloodied. They provided him with first aid before airlifting him to a nearby hospital. Luckily, the weather was good enough for the Air National Guard helicopter to land close to him.
According to his wife, Laurie, the multiple injuries he sustained left him pretty unrecognizable. He suffered broken ribs, a broken ankle, and other serious injuries.
“His eyes were swollen shut. [His] eye sockets were broken,” she told the journalists. She also disclosed that Chris Zwiernzynski’s nose was “broken in two places. He had two brain bleeds and a concussion.”
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Zwierzynski’s Family Released a Statement
Chris Zwierzynski’s family released a statement concerning his condition. They updated the public on the progress of his treatment and thanked everyone for their concern and support. “The Zwierzynski family is beyond grateful,” the statement began.
“Chris was so blessed to have people there when the fall happened. The swiftness of aid was a Godsend. We are so thankful to the other hikers, the rangers, the rescue teams, and the Hospital staff. They are true angels.”
“Although it will be a long recovery, Chris is in good spirits and progressing nicely. He required a couple of surgeries and will have many months of rehab ahead. It is a miracle that his injuries were not more severe,” they added.
Chris is an avid hiker with much experience. He had the proper equipment on this hike. He jokingly commented, “It’s crazy that out of all the hikes I’ve completed, this is the one that’s made the news.”
This shows that accidents can happen to anyone. The family’s statement added, “The family is so grateful for all the prayers and well wishes.” The statement also disclosed that the family will set up an online crowdfunding appeal to offset Chris Zwierzynski’s medical bill.
“A GoFundMe page will be set up in the near future for those that have been asking to help with medical bills. Any money left over after the medical bills are paid will be donated to Portland Mountain Rescue and the Hood River Crag Rats.”
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe had been set up. Donations had also exceeded the requested amount of $5,000.
Chris Zwierzynski Plans To Do It Again
Contrary to expectations, Chris Zwierzynski has vowed to continue his adventure. Once he gets back in shape, he will resume his bid to climb Mount Hood. Zwierzynski, who spent four days in intensive care, wants to conquer his fear, and going up Mount Hood is the only way to prove it.
Chris Zwierzynski said he was thinking about his family as he lay on the bed in critical condition. “I [couldn’t] imagine what they were going through, hearing this news,” he stated. Laurie has described the moment when she received the call notifying her of her husband’s accident.
“I was in shock,” she said. “I didn’t know what’s going on, and the only thing I could do was pray and trust that God had this and keep going forward.” Her prayers seemed to have been answered. It was almost unthinkable that her husband, or anyone else, could survive such a nasty fall.
ALSO READ: Kathie Lee Gifford Hospitalized After Fall Amid Hip Replacement Surgery
Why is Mount Hood Famous?
Mount Hood isn’t just the tallest mountain in Oregon; it’s also famous for its beauty. Its 12 glaciers and perpetual snow cover are major contributors to its beauty. Furthermore, the mountain, which is pretty visible from many places in the state, adorns the landscape and is a source of pride for residents.
Mount Hood, a dormant volcano at 11,294 feet in height, hosts many climbers every year. While some visitors ski on the mountain, others camp, fish at nearby lakes, or sit by the fireside and enjoy the fresh breeze.
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