By Chad Adams
A Labor Day weekend hike turned into a full rescue situation in the wilds of New York state recently. Four hikers, suffering from a “debilitating psychedelic mushroom high,” became disoriented and lost in the Slide Mountain Wilderness.
The hikers, after ingesting ‘shrooms, took on a maze of interconnected trails ranging from 1,100 to 2,600 feet in elevation, according to Gray News. They finally managed to send a text message reporting their condition, triggering a rescue mission in an area exhibiting several sheer cliffs and drops.
The caller told dispatchers the group consumed magic mushrooms in the wild. The call for help claimed one member suffered a “debilitating high.” The party even lost their car keys and other personal belongings somewhere amid their great adventure.
Debilitating ‘Shroom High Spurs Rescue
“The PBA of New York State commends our Forest Ranger members in the Hudson Valley for their recent rescue of four hikers who were lost in a state wilderness area while experiencing a debilitating psychedelic mushroom high,” said an issued statement from President James McCartney, Police Benevolent Association of New York.
Forest Rangers Franceschina, Jeffery, and Martin assisted in the rescue, finding the hikers at dusk before safely leading them down from Giant Ledge. The first responders then transported the magic bus to their lodging. A Shandaken ambulance crew evaluated the hikers, all in good condition.
“This level of dedication, at the start of a busy Labor Day weekend, is representative of the commitment shared by our Forest Ranger members,” McCartney added. “The PBA of New York State is proud to highlight our Forest Rangers and all members’ continued dedication to public safety in the face of difficulty and danger.”
