Hikers in Distress: Psychedelic Mushroom Trip Leads to Rescue in Catskills
A quartet of hikers required assistance from forest rangers last Friday after becoming disoriented in New York’s Catskill Mountains due to an overwhelming reaction to psychedelic mushrooms.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) dispatched a rescue team to search the Slide Mountain Wilderness after the group sent out a distress signal via satellite text around 5 PM, as noted by the department.
The hikers confessed to consuming psychedelic mushrooms and disclosed that one individual was experiencing an intense and disorienting high.
The area where they lost their way features a challenging interconnected trail with altitudes reaching 2,600 feet and steep cliffs, as explained by James McCartney, president of the Police Benevolent Association of New York State.
Approximately two hours later, the forest rangers, aided by the Pine Hill Fire Department, navigated the trail and located the hikers. One individual, struggling to walk, required the support of two rescuers to make their way back through the woods.
During their ordeal, one of the hikers realized they had misplaced their car keys, prompting the rangers to provide additional assistance by transporting them to their rental lodge for safety as they waited for the effects of the mushrooms to wear off.
The next day, a ranger retraced the trail and retrieved a sling bag the group had accidentally left behind, which was tucked under a log amid tall ferns.
"This level of commitment, especially at the onset of a busy Labor Day weekend, reflects the dedication our Forest Ranger members uphold. The PBA of New York State proudly recognizes the commitment displayed by our Forest Rangers and all members in ensuring public safety amid challenges," McCartney remarked.
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly referred to as magic mushrooms, are known to cause hallucinations that can alter sensory perceptions, including colors and shapes, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
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