PORTLAND -- Derek Mamoyac is listed in fair condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland after surgery on a broken ankle.

Mamoyac also has undergone treatment for frostbite

The 27-year-old Philomath, Ore., climber who survived five days on southern Washington's Mount Adams with a broken ankle told rescuers he ate centipedes and drank water from creeks as he tried to crawl to safety.

The scent of a granola bar wrapper led rescue dogs to Mamoyac Friday, in rough terrain at about 6,000 feet on Mount Adams.

He was wearing water resistant pants, insulated boots and gloves.

A dangerous descent

Mamoyac was descending after reaching Pikers Peak, just below the summit at an elevation of 11,657 feet, when snow gave way and he tumbled, according to his family.

He broke his right ankle in the fall.

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Derek Mamoyak

Mamoyac was then forced to drag himself down the mountain. It took him several days to get back down to the tree line, where he was able to find creeks to drink from and bugs to eat.

Searchers ultimately found him on a trail, dehydrated and with swollen legs, but otherwise in good shape, his family says.

He was taken by helicopter to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland, Ore., where he was listed in fair condition.

Rescued as hope dims

Greg Varney and his golden retriever, Trulee, found Mamoyac Friday afternoon, the same day Yakima County authorities announced they might consider suspending the hunt if unsuccessful over the weekend

The Issaquah, Wash., resident said his search team followed Mamoyac’s drag marks for more than a mile.

“There were some really nasty, difficult things he crossed. It was difficult for me walking on two feet; I couldn’t imagine him using his arms and backside to get across those streams and rock areas,” Varney said.

Varney also says Mamoyac was very excited to hear that his family and friends were still looking for him.

"It's like waking up from a horrible dream," said his sister, Sophia Mamoyac.

The missing climber’s father, Steve Mamoyac, reported him missing Monday when he failed to show up for work. He's been at the mountain since the search began four days ago.

Mamoyac’s car was found at the Cold Springs trailhead, about 11 miles north of Trout Lake, Monday afternoon.

"We get happy endings, but not at the end of a five-day search," rescuer Varney said.

KGW Reporter Wayne Havrelly contributed to this report.