What should’ve been a beautiful memory between father and son—descending together after summiting Mount Whitney—has instead been replaced by a single, searing image that will haunt Ryan Wach for the rest of his life: his 14-year-old son, dazed and muttering nonsense, walking straight off a 120-foot cliff while Ryan screamed and lunged, helpless to stop it.
Zane, a Santa Clarita native with no history of mental illness and in excellent physical condition, suddenly began acting strange as they began their descent, stopping and staring into the distance.
“He told me he didn’t know if he was dreaming,” Ryan said. “He kept saying we’d already finished the hike. That none of this was real.”
The father recalls the harrowing moment his 14-year-old son began hallucinating and walked off a mountaintop cliff
Image credits: GoFundMe
But Zane wasn’t just tired. After reaching the 14,505-foot summit of the tallest mountain in the continental US, the teenager was in the grip of full-blown altitude sickness—made worse by exhaustion, dehydration, and sleep deprivation.
At first, Ryan thought a short break would help. They made it to Trail Camp, about six miles from the base, and rested.
“I thought he was getting better,” Ryan said. “But then he got worse. He started dragging his feet. He wasn’t making sense.”
Image credits: GoFundMe
Zane then began experiencing full-blown hallucinations. He described snow patches as “snowmen,” pointing to distant lakes and claiming to see cartoon characters. Then he said he was going to the car.
Image credits: News 3 Las Vegas
“The car was thousands of feet below us,” Ryan said. “But he said it like it was right there. He was so calm, it was terrifying.”
Then, it happened.
Ryan thought he had lost his son forever, but Zane "miraculously" survived
Image credits: News 3 Las Vegas
“I wiped my eyes for a second,” Ryan said. “When I looked up, he was walking toward the edge.”
Zane had become unreachable. He didn’t respond to his father’s words, either. Ryan, a few feet behind, lunged. But it was too late.
“He stepped off,” Ryan said. “I couldn’t grab him. And then he was gone.”
Image credits: Courtesy of Ryan Wach
According to researchers, Zane's symptoms are in line with a phenomenon called "third man syndrome," which causes climbers to perceive the presence of others, even when alone.
More specifically, Zane likely experienced high-altitude psychosis, a condition that causes delusions, disorganized thoughts, and slurred speech. It's caused by a lack of oxygen among other factors.
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As per Santa Fe first responders, preparation is key.
Those looking to challenge mountains as tall as Mount Whitney are incentivized to start exercising as early as possible, emphasizing cardiovascular training.
During the trip, eating foods high in potassium such as broccoli, bananas, and avocado helps the body replenish electrolytes. Staying hydrated and limiting caffeine and alcohol is also important.
Once climbers are more than 10,000 ft above sea level, it's recommended to advance only 1000 ft per day to give the body time to get used to lower oxygen levels.
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The cliff was 120 feet down—nothing but jagged rock below. Ryan scrambled down in shock, convinced his son had passed away.
“I was yelling, screaming. I thought he was gone.”
But when he reached Zane’s body, there was still breath. The boy was alive—broken and unconscious, but alive.
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“I rolled him over and he grunted. I couldn’t believe it,” Ryan said.
Luckily for Zane, a trained Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) named Ariana had passed them earlier, and rushed back to help. She helped coordinate the rescue while Ryan stayed by his son’s side on the rocks for close to six excruciating hours.
Zane now remains in a medically induced coma after suffering from a traumatic brain injury and breaking several bones
Image credits: Courtesy of Ryan Wach
A helicopter arrived and Zane was flown to a hospital in Lone Pine, California. He was later transferred to Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas, where he remains in a medically induced coma.
Image credits: Courtesy of Ryan Wach
His injuries are a broken angle, a fractured finger, and he broke part of his pelvis. He also suffered from a traumatic brain injury, the consequences of which are yet to be determined.
“Doctors say it’s a miracle,” Ryan said. “It should’ve been so much worse.”
Image credits: GoFundMe
On June 14, a GoFundMe page was set up after friends, family, and the community asked the family for a tangible way to help Zane’s recovery.
Image credits: GoFundMe
“During this uncertain time, we would like to help ease the burden of their travel costs, such as gas expenses to and from CA to Las Vegas, lodging, and meals,” the site reads.
“If you are unable to make a financial contribution, there are still other ways you can help, like sharing this campaign and keeping Zane and his family in your prayers.”
At the time of writing, the campaign has raised $25,000 out of a goal of $28,000 via 358 donations.
“From one climber to another, get well soon and don't give up on the dream of the world's high majestic places. We climb because it's there!” one donor wrote.
"Irresponsible." Netizens criticized the father for not protecting his son from altitude sickness
