Full Breakdown
Novice Climber Survives 500-Foot Slide on Mount Shasta and Crawls Through Night
By Drooid · · How we work
The Slide and Night Crawl
During his first attempt at an icy summit of Mount Shasta, 24-year-old Zubayir Kazi of San Jose lost control while glissading down Avalanche Gulch. He fell roughly 500 feet, shedding his boots, food, water, cellphone and headlamp. With severe lacerations, loss of skin on his leg and swelling that forced him to remove his boots, Kazi crawled for several hours through the night until he reached the Horse Camp cabin, where a fellow hiker provided food and water before rescuers arrived.
Rescue Effort and Aftermath
Friends reported Kazi missing after losing contact, prompting a multi-agency search. A hiker discovered him inside the cabin the following morning and alerted authorities. Medical personnel treated him for significant skin and nerve damage and warned that he could have died within hours. The delayed helicopter rescue was attributed to cloud cover that prevented aerial access.
Safety Guidance from the U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service highlighted Kazi’s prior planning—he had shared his route and schedule with friends—as a positive practice. The agency reiterated recommendations for climbers to carry backup electronics, ensure sufficient daylight for descent, and be prepared for self-rescue in remote terrain. Officials used the incident to stress the importance of proper equipment and contingency planning for high-altitude winter climbs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Everything I had with me just goes out of my hand and I find myself flying down the mountain,” — Zubayir Kazi, 24, of San Jose
- “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',” — Zubayir Kazi, 24, of San Jose