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Four hikers rescued after taking mushrooms on a mountain

An idyllic mountain hike turned into a frightening ordeal this past weekend, leading to a complex rescue operation. In a stark reminder of the dangers of mixing intoxicants with outdoor adventures, four hikers had to be evacuated from a treacherous mountain trail after consuming psychedelic mushrooms and becoming dangerously disoriented.

The incident, which unfolded on the popular but challenging Dragon’s Tooth trail, required a coordinated response from local search and rescue teams who worked for hours to locate and safely extract the group.

The Incident Unfolds: A Hike Takes a Hallucinatory Turn

The day began like any other for the group of friends in their mid-20s. They set out in the early afternoon, equipped for what they thought would be a straightforward day hike. However, according to official reports, the group decided to ingest psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as “magic mushrooms,” partway through their trek.

As the effects of the hallucinogen took hold, their perception of the environment became severely distorted. One member of the group, whose identity has not been released, managed to make a distress call around 5:30 PM. He reported that his friends were “panicked, ill, and unable to walk.” The caller was disoriented and could only provide a vague description of their location, mentioning “scary-looking rocks” and “the feeling of the ground moving.”

This single, fragmented call was the catalyst for an immediate emergency response. With daylight fading and temperatures beginning to drop, the situation for the four hikers was becoming increasingly perilous. The combination of a challenging trail, altered mental states, and the onset of night created a recipe for disaster.

Launching the Rescue for the Four Hikers

Upon receiving the distress call, the County Sheriff’s Office immediately dispatched its Search and Rescue (SAR) unit. The team faced two significant challenges: locating the group with minimal information and navigating the difficult terrain in the dark.

SAR Commander John Davis explained the process. “We used the cell phone ping to narrow their location to a two-square-mile area, but on this mountain, that’s a huge search zone with canyons and steep drop-offs. Our primary concern was that one of them, in their altered state, could wander off a cliff.”

Ground teams were deployed from multiple trailheads to cover the area systematically. A drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera was also launched, providing a critical aerial overview. It was the drone that ultimately got the first visual confirmation. Around 9:45 PM, the thermal camera detected a heat signature from a small cluster of individuals huddled together off the main trail, deep in a rocky ravine.

Reaching the four hikers was the next hurdle. A specialized technical rope team was required to rappel down to their position. Rescuers found the group cold, dehydrated, and in varying states of psychological distress. Two were vomiting, while another was experiencing severe paranoia. “They were not in a condition to hike out on their own,” said Davis. “Their decision-making was completely compromised.”

The hikers were stabilized, given warm clothing and water, and then carefully assisted out of the ravine using a rope system. They were finally brought back to the trailhead just after 2:00 AM, where they were met by paramedics. None required hospitalization but were visibly shaken by the experience.

The Dangers of Psilocybin in Uncontrolled Environments

While often discussed in the context of clinical or therapeutic settings, taking psilocybin in an uncontrolled and potentially hazardous environment like a mountain is exceptionally dangerous. Psychedelics profoundly alter perception, sensory input, and judgment.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, hallucinogens can cause users to experience panic, confusion, and terrifying thoughts or feelings. These effects, often called a “bad trip,” can be magnified by an unfamiliar or intimidating setting.

On a mountain trail, this can manifest in several life-threatening ways:

• Loss of Navigation: A simple trail can become an impossible maze, leading hikers to become lost.
• Impaired Motor Skills: Difficulty with balance and coordination dramatically increases the risk of falls, especially on uneven or steep ground.
• Distorted Risk Perception: A dangerous cliff edge might not be perceived as a threat, or the difficulty of a climb could be severely underestimated.
• Panic and Paranoia: The isolation of the wilderness can amplify anxiety, leading to irrational decisions like running from perceived threats or abandoning gear.

This incident involving the four hikers is a classic example of these risks materializing. Their experience serves as a critical public safety message about the importance of remaining sober and clear-headed when engaging in activities with inherent risks.

Aftermath and Key Takeaways for Outdoor Safety

In the aftermath of the rescue, Sheriff Davis issued a strong statement. “We are incredibly relieved that we were able to bring these four individuals back to safety. However, this entire situation was 100% avoidable. Our SAR team is a volunteer-based, life-saving resource, and this incident tied up nearly two dozen personnel for over eight hours.”

He added, “Let this be a lesson. The mountains are unforgiving. They demand your full respect and your full attention. Making the decision to use mind-altering substances in this environment is not only reckless but also puts our first responders at unnecessary risk.”

While no criminal charges have been filed against the four hikers, they may be billed for the cost of the rescue operation, a practice that is becoming more common in cases of clear negligence. The incident highlights a broader conversation about personal responsibility in the outdoors.

For anyone planning a trip into the wilderness, this story underscores the importance of preparation and sound judgment. For more information on how to stay safe, check out our comprehensive guide on Essential Hiking Safety Tips for Beginners.

Ultimately, the mountains offer adventure and solitude, but they must be approached with a clear mind. The rescue of these four hikers is a powerful testament to what can go wrong when that fundamental rule is broken.

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