A hiker who plunged 500 feet down a mountain and was forced to spend the night in freezing conditions is on the mend after a dramatic rescue via helicopter. The mountain climber was scaling Mount Baxter along the snowy Eastern Sierra crest in California with his brother when he lost his footing and fell down the steep and rugged slope earlier this month. He landed on a granite ledge and broke several of his bones. His brother rushed down the mountainside, but the pair quickly realized they would not be able to get off the mountain due to the severity of his injuries — leaving them stranded on the mountainside at 12,400 feet. Fortunately, the brothers – who have not been publicly identified – had brought along their Garmin InReach , which is a satellite texting device that can be used to call for help.…