One family’s mountaineering adventure turned into a nightmare when 14-year-old Zane Wach walked off a 120-foot cliff while hallucinating on Mount Whitney. His father watched helplessly as his son, overcome by the severe effects of altitude sickness, took the fateful steps that would land him in a medically induced coma. What was supposed to be an exciting and bonding outdoor experience between father and son became a traumatic ordeal that underscores the often-overlooked dangers of high-altitude hiking.
A Promising Adventure with a Shocking Turn
The story began with good intentions and cautious planning. Ryan Wach, a father and experienced hiker, wanted to share his passion for mountaineering with his 14-year-old son, Zane Wach. Mount Whitney in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range — the highest summit in the contiguous United States — was chosen as the site of this memorable challenge. With Zane’s athletic background in triathlons, swimming, and distance running, Ryan believed his son was more than capable of handling the demanding climb.
Initially, the duo made solid progress. The ascent was grueling but manageable, and the sense of accomplishment seemed within reach. However, somewhere along the trail, subtle signs began to emerge that Zane wasn’t coping well with the high-altitude environment. As they ascended, he began to exhibit early symptoms of altitude sickness. Fatigue, confusion, and slight disorientation crept in — signs that would soon escalate into a critical medical emergency.
The pair chose to take a safer, easier trail down for the seven-mile descent, hoping to ease the strain and recover from the effects of the altitude. But instead of improvement, Zane’s condition deteriorated further. What began as physical exhaustion soon developed into psychological confusion. According to his father, Zane started experiencing vivid hallucinations. He spoke of seeing snowmen and Kermit the Frog. Although he recognized the visions as hallucinations, his grip on reality was slipping fast.
The Descent into Hallucination and Horror
The situation spiraled alarmingly. As they continued down the mountain, Zane Wach’s behavior became more unpredictable. Despite being under close watch, his mental state began to waver significantly. Ryan recalled his son saying things that reflected a complete loss of reality. Zane believed he had finished the hike multiple times already. He questioned whether he was awake or dreaming, comparing the surreal experience to something out of the movie Inception.
Though there were moments where Zane appeared to regain some clarity, they were short-lived. The altitude, combined with dehydration, exhaustion, and possibly sleep deprivation, had an overwhelming effect on the teenager’s brain function. According to Ryan, it was like watching his son fall into a dreamlike trance. He stopped walking, dragged his feet, and behaved as if sleepwalking.
A 14-year-old boy remains in a coma at Sunrise Children's Hospital in Las Vegas, more than a week after falling 120 feet while hiking near Mount Whitney in California. The boy, identified as Zane Wach, was hiking with his father, Ryan Wach, when he fell. pic.twitter.com/Pkb8uUg1j8
— KSNV News 3 Las Vegas (@News3LV) June 22, 2025
At one point, a nearby group of hikers, recognizing the danger in Zane’s state, contacted search and rescue for assistance. But before help could arrive, the unthinkable happened. Zane, exhibiting increasingly erratic behavior, made his way toward the edge of the trail, where a steep and jagged slope loomed. His father managed to grab him just in time to stop him from falling once. But the mental fog clouding Zane’s perception of reality didn’t lift.
While Ryan briefly broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the emotional weight of the situation, Zane Wach suddenly walked toward the edge again. This time, Ryan couldn’t reach him in time. He turned just in time to see his son step off the cliff and disappear over the edge. The teenager fell 120 feet before hitting the ground below.
Survival, Rescue, and the Long Road to Recovery
The aftermath was agonizing. It took nearly six hours for the rescue teams to reach and evacuate Zane from the mountainside. Every minute felt like an eternity as emergency responders worked tirelessly to stabilize and transport him. He was eventually airlifted to a hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma due to severe head trauma and other serious injuries, including a broken ankle, fractured finger, and damage to his pelvis.
Despite the gravity of the fall, doctors noted it was “fairly miraculous” that Zane hadn’t sustained even more catastrophic injuries. Though still in critical condition, there were small but significant signs of improvement. On Wednesday, he briefly opened his eyes, giving his family a faint glimmer of hope.
Zane’s story has since sparked conversations about the underestimated severity of altitude sickness — especially in young, healthy individuals. His father reflected on the unexpected turn of events with heartbreak and disbelief. What was meant to be a joyful initiation into mountaineering turned into a brush with death. Ryan admits he noticed his son’s early symptoms but felt reassured by the easier trail they’d chosen for the descent. However, this tragic experience has shown that symptoms of altitude sickness can escalate quickly and unpredictably, even on the way down.
The family has not only had to face the trauma of the incident but also the uncertainty of what lies ahead. Recovery from such an event — physically, neurologically, and emotionally — is a long, uncertain process. Zane’s brain must heal from the trauma, and even though he is slowly emerging from the coma, the lasting effects remain unknown.
The Wach family’s ordeal is a reminder that the great outdoors, while majestic and inspiring, also carries risks that require preparation, vigilance, and caution. Altitude sickness is not exclusive to older adults or those with health issues; even fit teenagers can become vulnerable when climbing to great heights. What’s especially dangerous is the fact that symptoms can manifest suddenly and progress rapidly — from simple headaches and nausea to confusion, hallucinations, and severe physical coordination issues.
As Zane Wach continues to fight his way back to consciousness and health, his story is resonating with the hiking community and parents everywhere. It’s a sobering tale about how quickly a dream adventure can become a life-altering crisis. It’s also a testament to a father’s love and the heartbreak of being so close, yet unable to stop tragedy from unfolding in front of his eyes.
While the road to recovery will be long and difficult, Zane’s resilience, combined with medical care and the unwavering support of his family, holds promise. His brief eye-opening moment has already given his loved ones reason to hope. For now, the priority is healing — body and mind — and perhaps someday returning to the trail, not in fear, but in triumph over the mountain that almost claimed his life.