'This Is Not Real': 14-Year-Old Teen Hallucinates and Falls from Mount Whitney During Hike with Father

In addition to disclosing details surrounding the fall of a teenager while hiking, his loved ones have created a GoFundMe page and launched a swimming initiative to help support him and his family.

Earlier this month (June 2025), a father named Ryan Wach and his 14-year-old son, Zane Wach, from Santa Clarita, went for a hike on Mount Whitney. Tragically, Zane fell off a steep slope and has not regained consciousness since the accident. Speaking to a news outlet, Ryan explained what happened and how his son experienced hallucinations before the fall.

What was meant to be a challenging but rewarding introduction to mountaineering for Zane quickly turned into a life-altering ordeal. On June 10, the teen and his father embarked on the Mountaineer's Route to summit Mount Whitney — a steeper, more advanced trail than the popular path many hikers choose.

Although this was Zane's first attempt at Whitney, Ryan, a seasoned mountaineer, was confident in his son's capabilities.

As an avid swimmer, triathlete, and distance runner with previous hiking experience, Zane is no stranger to endurance — in fact, his father proudly noted, "He's in better shape than I am."

The ascent itself had gone relatively well, but things began to take a troubling turn after they reached the summit and started their descent, as Zane began exhibiting altitude sickness symptoms. Hoping to avoid any unnecessary risk, Ryan decided to lead them down the more manageable Mount Whitney Trail back to where their car was parked.

Though the difficult terrain — loose rock and sharp granite slopes — was now behind them, Zane's condition began to worsen.

"He started to experience some hallucinations," divulged Ryan. Initially, he reported seeing bizarre visions, including snowmen and even Kermit the Frog. However, when they reached Trail Camp, located roughly six miles from the trailhead, Zane seemed to stabilize. But that calm was short-lived.

An hour later, Zane's psychological state deteriorated dramatically. "He was in an altered mental state, and I don't know what caused it. We still don't know. My best guess is a combination of exhaustion, sleep deprivation, probably some dehydration and lasting effects from the altitude sickness. But he essentially started to doubt reality," shared the father.

According to Ryan, his son began to spiral into confusion, convinced they had completed the hike multiple times. "He told me he couldn't tell if he was dreaming or not," Ryan recalled.

"He would shake his head in disbelief, like, 'This is not real.' Like he was in the movie 'Inception' or something," explained Ryan. Worried, frustrated, and scared, Ryan tried to manage his son's delusions while other hikers alerted search and rescue. Zane's behavior grew increasingly erratic as he moved toward a dangerously steep granite slope.

At one point, when Ryan tried to intervene and grab his son, Zane insisted he was just heading to their car, unaware that it lay thousands of feet below.

Moments later, Zane said he was going to get dinner, and then, before Ryan could stop him, he walked off the ledge.

"I was kind of losing my mind, in a way," Ryan disclosed, describing the terror and helplessness he felt in those seconds. "When I went to reach for him, he was 10 feet away from me. I couldn't get him, and he walked off the edge." Zane plummeted an estimated 120 feet, and Ryan scrambled down the slope, where he found his son alive.

A fellow hiker, who happened to be an EMT named Ariana, immediately began coordinating rescue efforts. Ryan remained by Zane's side for nearly six hours until Inyo County Search & Rescue teams reached them.

The teenager was airlifted to Southern Inyo Hospital before being transferred to Sunrise Children's Hospital in Las Vegas — the nearest facility with a pediatric trauma center. Despite the trauma to his head, doctors say Zane's other injuries — a broken ankle, finger, and part of his pelvis — are relatively minor.

His survival alone is being described as "fairly miraculous." Currently in a medically induced coma, Zane's condition is serious, but his father remains hopeful. "It's going to be a survival story in the end," Ryan said. "But right now we're still in the middle of it."

In the wake of Zane's terrifying fall and ongoing recovery, the outpouring of love from his local community has been nothing short of extraordinary.

To help support the Wach family during this devastating chapter, friends and fellow swim team members launched a GoFundMe campaign, rallying behind the teen affectionately known as a standout swimmer, junior coach, and friend.

"Growing up an 002 Shark means so much more than just being on a team; it's being a part of a community that rallies for each other in and out of the water," the campaign's heartfelt message reads.

The fundraiser explains that while Zane's family is fortunate to have access to quality health care, they are now navigating a wave of additional costs: Travel back and forth between California and Las Vegas, temporary lodging, meals, and day-to-day needs as they remain at his bedside.

Though the circumstances are dire, the campaign is filled with hope, and images of Zane smiling during hikes and outdoor adventures serve as gentle reminders of the vibrant, energetic spirit his community is determined to protect. Of the $35,000 fundraising goal, supporters have donated nearly the entire amount, with over $34,000 raised as of the latest update.

And while not everyone can contribute financially, the page urges readers to share the campaign and continue sending prayers. "We believe in the power of community to lift each other up," the message continues. "Together we are stronger. Team Zane all the way! We believe in you, buddy; continue to fight."

In yet another show of solidarity, Zane's swimming community took to the pool to honor one of their own in a deeply personal way. The Sharks Swim Team, where Zane has long been a beloved member, recently launched a heartfelt initiative titled "Swimming for Zane."

On June 21, the team donned custom shirts bearing the initiative's slogan in a powerful visual tribute. Though Zane won't be competing this season, his presence is being felt in every lane.

"We are strongest when we swim as one," the team's Facebook post expresses — a simple yet resounding message of unity and unwavering support for a young athlete who continues to inspire.