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A California climber who survived a roughly 500-foot slide down Mount Shasta is recounting how he crawled through the night after losing his supplies and suffering serious injuries.
Zubayir Kazi, 24, of San Jose, told NBC Bay Area he reached the summit Sept. 10, during his first icy summit attempt before things went wrong on his descent.
“Everything I had with me just goes out of my hand and I find myself flying down the mountain,” Kazi said.
NOVICE CLIMBER SURVIVES 1,500-FOOT DROP ON CALIFORNIA’S MOUNT SHASTA AFTER HELICOPTER RESCUE DELAYED BY CLOUDS
Kazi said he lost his food, water, cellphone and light, leaving him alone without a way 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,” he said.
The U.S. Forest Service previously told Fox News Digital that Kazi lost control while attempting to glissade, or slide, down the snow and ice-covered Avalanche Gulch after reaching the summit. He suffered significant lacerations and injuries to his feet.
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Swelling forced Kazi to remove his boots, and he crawled through the night until reaching Horse Camp Cabin. His friends reported him missing after losing contact with him, prompting a multi-agency search.
A hiker found Kazi inside the cabin the following 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’,” Kazi said.
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Kazi told NBC Bay Area he suffered significant skin and nerve damage and serious internal complications. He said doctors told him he could have died within hours.
The Forest Service previously praised Kazi for knowing his route and telling friends about his climbing plans, while urging climbers to carry backup electronics, allow enough daylight and prepare to self-rescue.
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Kazi said the ordeal changed his approach to 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,” Kazi said.
Fox News Digital could not locate contact information for Kazi to seek additional comment.
Fox News Digital’s Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
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