Mountaineer survives 213m fall, but intends to continue climbing (6 photos)

Chris Zwierzynski, 55, has been recovering for a month after falling 213 m while trying to climb Oregon's highest peak. When the American gets better, he plans to climb the mountain that nearly killed him.





A Scottsdale, Arizona, man fell off Mount Hood on July 6.

"A lot of the doctors I talk to and my family use the word 'miracle' when talking about me, like I did something incredible by surviving that fall. Maybe there's some truth to that," the climber shared.



According to Zwierzynski, when he turned 50, he decided to climb the highest mountains in each state.

"I want to do it while I'm still young."

However, his attempt to climb the 11,500-foot mountain east of Portland almost ended in tragedy. After the fall, Chris had to be evacuated to the hospital by helicopter.



He spent four days in intensive care, his face bloodied and his body mangled. His injuries were so extensive that he was almost unrecognizable.

"His eyes were swollen shut, his sockets were broken," said Zwierzynski's wife, Lori. "His nose was broken in two places. He had two brain hemorrhages and a concussion."

As Chris lay in his hospital bed, all he could think about was his family. "I couldn't even imagine what they were going through when they heard the news."



"I was in shock," Lori admitted. "I didn't understand what was happening, and the only thing I could do was pray, trust in God, and continue to live."

The couple got through all the horrors with the help of positive thinking and faith.

"He could have died, he could have been paralyzed, he could have had amnesia. Anything could have happened, but it didn't. And I thank God every day."

The man added: "I set goals for myself when I was in hospital: I'm going to be discharged on Monday, I'm going to walk that day, I'm going to get up. And all of this has happened - you just can't give up. Your body is strong enough to handle it."

Earlier this month, a CT scan showed that the facial fractures were healing well. Doctors also removed the splint from Chris's left ankle, and he has begun to regain the mobility he lost.



"I haven't lost my will or my optimism. In no small part thanks to the support and friendship."

American has not given up on the idea of ​​conquering the mountain that almost took his life: "I will contact the guide and ask him to come with me so as not to tempt fate."