New York hikers on mushrooms report friend dead: Spoiler alert, he’s alive

In a bizarre mix of nature, drugs, confusion, and true crime, three hikers on a trip through New York’s Adirondack Mountains turned an ordinary day into a surreal emergency.

Two of the men, under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms, called 911 to report their friend had died. Emergency crews rushed to the scene—only to find out later that the so-called “dead” man was alive, well, and already back at the trailhead. Yes, really.

Panic on the peak

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the incident took place on May 20, 2025, on Cascade Mountain, one of the state’s most popular High Peaks. Two men in their mid-20s called for help, reporting that their hiking companion was deceased and that they were lost themselves.

Forest Ranger Rob Praczkajlo was dispatched to locate the distressed pair. A summit steward—a volunteer who helps maintain trails and guide hikers—eventually found them, “under the influence of mushrooms and experiencing altered mental status,” the DEC report stated.

According to the DEC, they believed their friend was dead. In reality, the third hiker had turned back and was safely back at the vehicle.

Not dead, just digestively distressed

In a stunning reversal of the grim report, the “deceased” hiker soon contacted authorities himself. Far from being lost or lifeless, he had simply headed back early due to a stomach issue and made it out of the forest on his own. When he found that emergency services were being mobilized for his “death,” he reached out to clear things up.

The DEC confirmed that “the third hiker called Essex County 911, letting them know he was back at the vehicle and heading home.” Despite the resources involved, no criminal charges were filed. Officials noted the hikers were generally well-prepared in terms of gear but had seriously compromised their safety with hallucinogens.

“It was a bad trip, not a good trip,” Ranger Praczkajlo said, according to the Times Union. “They admitted they had ingested mushrooms and they kept thinking they were going to die and that they were lost even though we found them on the trail,” he added. “No one was having a good time.” So, next time you go hiking, leave the fungi at home. Nature’s wild enough on its own.