Everest Chronicle spoke to Shehroze Kashif who was safely evacuated to Gilgit after being stranded in Nanga Parbat for 2 days. Kashif along with his companion Fazal Ali had descended down successfully from 7500m down to camp I on their own before they were airlifted by Pakistan Army helicopter. On July 5, Kashif became the youngest person ever to summit Nanga Parbat.

Everest Chronicle: How did you get stranded and how did you spend the night at 7,500m?

Shehroze Kashif: On that day, we had started summit push from Camp III, at 6,700m. We were the only two people up there. We summited the peak at around 8.45 AM. As we started descending, thick clouds started forming pretty quickly. So, we got lost on the way down. It was getting dark. So, we were forced to spend the night at 7,500m. 

What were your thoughts when you realized that you got stuck?

When we realized we got stuck, the first thing I did was put my SOS on my Garmin. I was hoping that the rescue operation will be started soon. 

Can you share with us how you and Fazal strategized your descent without food and communication?

Fazal was very amazing. His decisions always synchronized with my thoughts that yes I have to do this I have to do this. So it was not only Fazal making decision, it was mutual understanding between the two of us. So, when we realized that we don’t have food and water, the first thing that came to our minds is how to get out of the situation. 

What is the feeling like to escape near death situation?

When my Garmin device switched off, we were completely cut off from the rest of the world. The situation was pathetic. The only hope to see yourself alive was a rescue operation. Second thing was that we had to struggle for our survival. The first thing was that the rescue operation was not there because the weather was not good. Then we realized that we have to make ourselves better here to get out of the situation and be alive. So, we made a small hole just to put our head inside so we can breathe warm. That was the first thing that came into my mind. 

How do you feel about your mountaineering journey ahead now that you are back to civilization?

When I came to the civilization, I feel a bit tired because of altitude. I was in a bit of a high place for some time. Now it’s hot here and I am feeling a bit dizzy. My mountaineering journey was very tough in Nanga Parbat. It was more difficult than any other mountain I have climbed so far. Right now, I am pursuing the 14 peaks project. And this project is way bigger than my thought. I will continue to strive for it. To make it possible, I still have many hard struggles ahead of me.