Mount Shasta Climber Survives 500‑Foot Slide, Crawls Overnight to Safety

Zubayir Kazi, 24, of San Jose, reached the summit of Mount Shasta on Sept. 10 during his first icy attempt. While glissading down Avalanche Gulch, he lost control and slid roughly 500 feet, dropping his food, water, cellphone and light. Kazi sustained severe lacerations, foot injuries, and significant skin and nerve damage. Swelling forced him to remove his boots and crawl through the night, eventually reaching Horse Camp Cabin where a hiker found him the next day. Multi‑agency rescuers arrived after a delayed helicopter call, and doctors warned Kazi could have died within hours. The incident prompted the U. S. Forest Service to emphasize the need for backup electronics, daylight planning, and self‑rescue readiness, and Kazi now advises climbers never to go alone.