The terrifying plunge
Imagine reaching the peak of a mountain, feeling like the main character, and then having it all go wrong in a heartbeat. That is exactly what happened to 24-year-old Zubayir Kazi. After summiting Mount Shasta on September 10, he lost his gear and slipped, careening 500 feet down the mountain.
He told NBC Bay Area that the conditions were way harsher than he’d anticipated. After the fall, he was left with zero food, water, light, or even a phone to call for help.
The long crawl to safety
Kazi realized pretty fast that if he stayed put, he was toast. He decided his only move was to keep pushing downhill, even while seriously injured. "My mentality became very one dimensional," Kazi shared. "I just know that I have to go lower because if I stay here and fall asleep, I’m going to die."
Meanwhile, his family in San Jose was freaking out. After they lost contact, his mom reached out to his friend, and a search-and-rescue mission was launched. Fortunately, another climber eventually found Kazi at base camp and kept him fed and hydrated until help arrived.
When he finally got medical attention, the reality of the situation hit hard. He suffered severe skin and nerve damage, plus internal issues. Doctors told him he was hours away from not making it, and his recovery is going to take weeks.
Why it matters
The US Forest Service is sending a major reminder: Mount Shasta is no joke. They don't recommend the route Kazi took for novices, especially this time of year when conditions are unpredictable. Kazi’s advice? Real talk: account for every single safety requirement and, whatever you do, do not go alone. It is giving major "stay safe out there" energy.
