Mount Whitney, CA — What began as a rite-of-passage adventure between father and son turned into a surreal and nearly fatal nightmare when 14-year-old Zane Wach, suffering from severe altitude sickness, stumbled off a 120-foot cliff—right before his father’s eyes.
The teen, a seasoned athlete and outdoor enthusiast, is now in a medically induced coma, fighting for his life after the shocking fall on June 10. The incident occurred during a descent from Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the continental U.S., following what was supposed to be an exhilarating first foray into high-altitude mountaineering.
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“This Was Meant To Be a Memory”
Zane’s father, Ryan Wach, had carefully planned the hike as a bonding experience, confident that his son’s athletic background—triathlons, cross-country, swimming—made him more than capable of handling the challenge.
But as they made their descent from the summit, Ryan noticed a change.
“He started saying weird things,” Ryan recounted. “Talking about snowmen. Kermit the Frog. He knew he was hallucinating—but he thought he was dreaming.”
Zane’s physical coordination slowed, and his mental state spiraled. What began as lightheaded confusion quickly escalated into full-blown delirium. Fellow hikers began to take notice—and soon, search and rescue teams were contacted.
The situation grew more dire by the minute.
Reality Dissolving
Zane became convinced they had already completed the hike multiple times. “It was like something from Inception,” Ryan said. “He didn’t know if he was dreaming or awake.”
At one point, the teen insisted they were “already at the car,” even though they were still miles from the trailhead. Ryan managed to guide him away from a drop-off once—but Zane’s fixation on leaving the mountain didn’t waver.
Then, in a moment that will haunt Ryan forever, he turned away for just a second—overcome with emotion—and Zane slipped from his grasp.
“By the time I looked up, he was 10 feet away—and then he vanished.”
Zane had walked off a 120-foot cliff into a rocky ravine.
A Rescue Against the Odds
What followed was a race against time. A nearby hiker—miraculously a trained EMT—rushed to the boy’s side while Ryan scrambled down the rocks.
Rescue teams spent over six grueling hours stabilizing Zane and airlifting him to Southern Inyo Hospital, before transferring him to Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas, where he now remains under intensive care.
He suffered head trauma, a pelvic fracture, and broken bones in his ankle and hand. But somehow, his life was spared.
A Rare, Silent Threat
Doctors believe Zane’s rapid mental deterioration was caused by High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE)—a rare, potentially fatal form of altitude sickness that causes brain swelling due to low oxygen levels. Though extremely rare, it can occur without warning, especially above 13,000 feet.
“Zane was fit. Prepared. No red flags at the start,” Ryan said. “And yet we were blindsided.”
A Father’s Vigil, A Community’s Support
Zane’s condition remains serious, but he has shown small signs of progress—briefly opening his eyes and responding to stimuli. His family remains by his side, leaning on faith and a growing wave of community support.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help with medical and travel expenses, as friends, neighbors, and strangers rally behind the Wach family.
Conclusion: A Warning in the Wilderness
Zane’s story is a harrowing reminder that altitude doesn’t discriminate. Even the strongest, healthiest individuals can succumb to its invisible dangers. It’s also a story of a father’s devotion, a son’s resilience, and a community moved by one family’s nightmare.
As Zane’s fight continues, his fall serves not just as a cautionary tale—but as a powerful testament to survival against the odds and the fragile line between adventure and tragedy.