Climber Survives Five-Day Ordeal On Washington Mountain By Eating Centipedes, Drinking Creek Water

Yakima, WA (AHN) - A 27-year-old Oregon man has a search and rescue team to thank, as it located him five days after he set off climbing southern Washington's Mount Adams.

Derek Mamoyac of Philomath, Ore. was found 6,000 feet up on the mountain reportedly surviving the ordeal by eating centipedes and drinking water from creeks.

Mamoyac was attempting to crawl to safety and amazingly suffered from just dehydration, an ankle injury and swollen legs.

The climber told rescuers he climbed within 1,000 miles to the top of the 12,277-foot mountain when he slipped on a patch of soft snow.

The man was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Portland, Ore. and was listed in fair condition, a pleasant surprise for his family.

They initially reported Mamoyac missing Monday as he did not arrive at work.