A climber from San Jose, California, shared his ordeal after sliding approximately 500 feet down Mount Shasta. Zubayir Kazi, aged 24, recounted how he crawled through the night, severely injured and without supplies, during his initial icy summit attempt on September 10.

“Everything I had with me just goes out of my hand and I find myself flying down the mountain,” said Kazi. Having lost his food, water, cellphone, and light, he found himself alone and unable to call for help.

“My mentality became very one-dimensional. I don’t know what’s the optimal thing to do, but I just know that I have to go lower because if I stay here and fall asleep, I’m going to die,” Kazi explained.

The U.S. Forest Service stated that Kazi lost control while glissading, or sliding, down the snow and ice-covered Avalanche Gulch. He endured massive lacerations and injuries to his feet.

Swelling forced him to remove his boots, prompting him to crawl through the night until reaching Horse Camp Cabin. His friends, unable to contact him, reported him missing, which initiated a search by multiple agencies.

A hiker discovered Kazi in the cabin the next day and provided him with food and water before 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’,” he recounted.

Kazi suffered severe skin and nerve damage and serious internal complications. Medical professionals informed him that he might have died within hours if not found.

Officials commended Kazi for knowing the route, informing friends of his plans, and managing to reach Horse Camp Cabin. They urged climbers to carry backup electronics, ensure adequate daylight, and prepare for self-rescue.

Reflecting on his experience, Kazi stated, “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.”