VIDEO: Climber rescued from Mt. Hood after falling 700 feet

A man was airlifted from Mt. Hood after falling several hundred feet while climbing on the mountain’s south side on Saturday, according to deputies.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man was airlifted from Mt. Hood after falling several hundred feet while climbing on the mountain’s south side on Saturday, according to deputies.

The man had been taking the Old Chute route, a very steep climb, when he “was unable to arrest his fall — tumbling about 700 feet down to the Hot Rocks area and sustaining multiple injuries.”

At an elevation of 11,200 feet, the snow had frozen where 55-year-old Chris Zwierzynski of Arizona was critically injured.

“Fortunately, help was nearby: A couple of off-duty military medics witnessed his fall and descended to help,” according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. “Two Mt. Hood National Forest climbing rangers also were in the area, and provided first aid to the injured climber.”

Nearly six hours later, rescue teams were able to reach the climber around 1 p.m. and transport him to a Portland area hospital.

Mark Morford of Portland Mountain Rescue shared the following statement:

May through early July is a popular time to climb Mt. Hood, and good climbing conditions have lasted longer this year than most. 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. Portland Mountain Rescue urges climbers to get proper training from an organization like the Mazamas, or to climb with a qualified guide.