Teen Injured in 100ft Mt. Whitney Fall | Community Support
- A climbing trip to Mount Whitney took a frightening turn for Zane Wach, a Hart High School swimmer, when he experienced severe altitude sickness during the descent.
- Zane and his father, Ryan Wach, an experienced mountaineer, had successfully reached the summit, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.
- As their situation worsened at 9,000 feet, Ryan wach recounted his fear.
A harrowing Mount Whitney climb turned tragic for teen swimmer Zane Wach,who suffered a 120-foot fall due to altitude sickness. Rescued by Inyo county Search and Rescue, Zane is now recovering in a Las Vegas hospital, a story of survival and community support. The perilous descent began after Zane and his father summited, revealing the dangers of high-altitude conditions. News Directory 3 provides the latest on this developing story, detailing the critical care Zane is receiving and the outpouring of support from friends like Abby. Learn how altitude sickness impacted Zane’s role on the mountain and discover the prognosis for his competitive swimming future.
Teen’s Role in Mount Whitney Climb Turns Perilous Due to Altitude Sickness
Updated June 30, 2025
A climbing trip to Mount Whitney took a frightening turn for Zane Wach, a Hart High School swimmer, when he experienced severe altitude sickness during the descent. The incident led to a 120-foot fall onto solid granite, prompting a rescue operation by Inyo County Search and Rescue and the CHP Apple Valley air unit.
Zane and his father, Ryan Wach, an experienced mountaineer, had successfully reached the summit, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. However, about 19 hours into thier descent, Zane began to hallucinate. “He said he was seeing snowmen and Kermit the Frog,” Ryan Wach said.
As their situation worsened at 9,000 feet, Ryan wach recounted his fear. ”He just walked over the edge like he was walking to the car,” Wach said, describing the moment his son fell.
Dr. Shyam Rao at St.Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach explained that altitude sickness can cause headaches, dizziness, and confusion, especially at elevations above 8,000 feet.
Ryan Wach held his critically injured son for six hours in the darkness before rescuers arrived. Zane was airlifted to a pediatric trauma center in Las Vegas, where he is now recovering, surrounded by messages of support.
A friend, Abby, shared a message for Zane: “I miss him a lot and we all love you so much.”
What’s next
Zane faces a period of recovery. His family and friends are hopeful for his full return to health and his role as a competitive swimmer.