Climber Survives Harrowing Slide on Mount Shasta
A climber from California recounted his survival after sliding approximately 500 feet down Mount Shasta. Zubayir Kazi, 24, of San Jose, narrated his experience of crawling through the night without supplies after sustaining serious injuries.
Kazi reached the summit on September 10 during his first attempt at an icy summit, but his descent took a disastrous turn. “Everything I had with me just goes out of my hand and I find myself flying down the mountain,” Kazi said to NBC Bay Area.
He lost essentials like food, water, his cellphone, and light, leaving him with no means to call for assistance. Driven by a survival instinct, Kazi aimed to descend as staying put meant risking death. The U.S. Forest Service informed Fox News Digital that Kazi lost control while glissading down Avalanche Gulch, suffering significant foot lacerations and injuries.
Swelling forced him to remove his boots, and he crawled through the night to reach Horse Camp Cabin. His friends reported him missing, triggering a multi-agency search effort. The next day, a hiker found Kazi in the cabin and provided him with food and water until rescuers arrived. “When the officers came in, it was the first time I really realized how badly I was injured. They said ‘You have no skin behind your leg’,” Kazi said.
The Forest Service praised Kazi for knowing his route, informing friends of his plans, and making his way to safety. They advised climbers to carry backup electronics, allocate enough daylight time, and be prepared for self-rescue.
Kazi mentioned that his ordeal has changed his perspective on climbing. “It is very important to fully and properly account for all of the requirements and safety considerations necessary to complete a hike like this and not miss a single one — and I’d say to definitely not go alone,” he advised.
Efforts to reach Kazi for further comments were unsuccessful.
Bonny Chu contributed to this Fox News Digital report, and Brittany Miller, a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and a former Independent reporter, provided additional reporting.