Red Bull is Home

   Red Bull came home on Wednesday, August 17th.  He took the following day to do laundry and get settled.  He also purchased a mini drone, and practiced flying it around.  He had a Nerf battle with his two youngest sisters as well.

   On Friday, August 19th Red Bull went to his previous place of employment to see if they could use assistance.  They asked if he could work that afternoon/evening, and he agreed.  He worked the following afternoon/evening as well.  They have switched uniforms since he left in the spring; and they do not have a new uniform for him, so he wore his old uniform.

   It appears he is serious about not returning to finish the trail anytime soon.  He has spoken with Rd Brd and Cntr.  They are both disappointed he did not make it to the end, but understand.  Rd Brd continues Northbound with Cwby, while Cntr and Sqtch jumped to Maine, and are now heading Southbound.

   If Red Bull  completes the remaining miles within 12 months of when he began, it is still considered a "thru" hike.  If he completes it after that, it is considered a "section" hike.  Either way he would then be part of the "2,000 miler" group, and recognized as having completed the entire Appalachian Trail.  Red  Bull has hiked 1,194.8 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and an additional 8.8 miles of an approach trail to Springer Mountain in Georgia.  Way to go Red Bull!  He has an additional 994.3 miles to complete, including the 228.6 mile section from Pensylvania to New York he jumped to catch his group when he returned from his sister's wedding.

   He has expressed an interest in taking his old scout troop to explore sections of the trail, he has some favorite spots he would like to share.  He has requested to have the evenings off when the scouts meet, so he can volunteer.

   The hiking shoes are not put away, he actually went for a run wearing them last night!  Yes... a RUN!  :)

  Thank you for following Red Bull on this adventure.  It has changed his life, and ours as well.
If he decides to finish the trail, we will continue this blog.

   Happy Trails!

Red Bull Coming Off the Trail

   The weather is too much for Red Bull.  He has refused to hike today, and is remaining at the State Park.  We do not disagree with this decision, considering the heat warnings that have been issued.  The temperatures remain in the mid 90's with a heat index of 103-114 degrees.

   Red Bull says there is a little store inside the State Park that has air conditioning.  He is sitting there until it closes at 5:00 pm.  He says they are going to be closed tomorrow due to the extreme temperatures.  I ask Red Bull if he would like the Park Rangers to drive him into the nearest town, or if we could contact a Bishop in the area to help him.  He does not want a ride into town, he wants to come home.  I told him to see if he can volunteer to help out in the store, instead of just sitting there.

   We had a medical emergency within our home very early this morning, and I was in the emergency room for several hours with a family member.  Red Bull called wanting to come home, I was exhausted and stressed... I told him I could not pick him up at this time.  I cannot leave the family member who has the medical situation... I finally told him to see if his brother in New Jersey can pick  him up.  It is heart breaking, but it is also dangerously hot.

   I am torn in so many ways... I believe he will always regret this, but I cannot bear to think of him just sitting all alone in the oppressive heat.  I have heard if a hiker exits the trail, but returns to complete the hike within a year it still counts as a thru hike.  I have not investigated the details on this, there are so many other things taking priority at this time.  To see Red Bull give up on his dream when he is almost 3/4 of the way finished is heart wrenching.  He has struggled so hard to get back onto the trail after his sister's wedding, two attempts, in two different states.

   Red Bull's brother picked him up at 10:00 pm this evening, and should back to his home at 1:30 am in New Jersey.

   Rest well Red Bull, rest well.


   Update:  Red Bull and his brother arrived safely to his brother's home in New Jersey at 1:30 am.  Red Bull's brother says Red Bull appears healthy and well.  His brother is going to "put him to work"  until I can pick him up next week, when I can safely leave our family member with a medical situation.  If I have anything new to share I will, but please do not expect any additional posts.

   Thank you for following Red Bull on this grand adventure!  I wish it had a grand ending... but knowing Red Bull is safe and well is comforting.

Happy Trails!

Still Struggling

   Red Bull is still struggling.  He hiked about 8 miles to the Clarence Fahnestock State Park today, mile 1423.4 on the A.T. an elevation of 998 feet.

Clarence Fahnestock State Park - photo from NYStateParks

   Red Bull says it is extremely hot and humid (understandably near the Hudson River), that he is sweating profusely even though he is taking it easy, and that he is beginning to have difficulty breathing.  He stopped very early today at the State Park.  We are fine with this due to the extreme weather conditions, and feel better if he is near people in case he needs assistance (medical or otherwise).  He sent me 22 texts today, and called me 6 times.  We are trying to convince him to hike a full week, before he makes a decision to come off the trail.  He actually suggested he could take a taxi into New York City then catch a train to D.C., where we could pick him up.  While I was out doing back to school shopping with his sisters, I received numerous texts and phone calls from Red Bull.  Then I received a call from his brother in New Jersey, Red Bull had arranged for his brother to pick him up this evening.  We let his brother know the plan to try to keep Red Bull on the trail for a week, his brother reluctantly agreed to not pick him up yet.

   At times Red Bull agrees to continue for a week, and at times he wants us to pick him up immediately.  We are approximately 5 hours from his current location, so picking him immediately would be an issue (unless he had an emergency situation).  However, he actually told his father this evening that he wants to continue hiking at least until "The Whites" in New Hampshire.  We continue to encourage him, but are very mindful of the temperatures and his health.

   There are excessive heat warnings along the East Coast through the weekend.  It is in the mid 90's with the heat index reaching 105-115 degrees.  This is a huge concern, and we are closely monitoring the situation.  Red Bull is resting through the afternoon and evening, as he drinks lots of Gatorade.  He is frustrated and discouraged.  Many are keeping him in their prayers... thank you!

Red Bull Wants to Come Home

   We believe Red Bull slept close to mile 1,403.7 on the trail last night, and stopped near mile 1,415.8 tonight.  He could tell us he had recently passed blue and yellow blaze trails, a very small stream, and was at a larger stream.  This appears to be the spot he stopped, the best we can decipher from the guidebook.  If it is correct, he hiked a little over 12 miles today.
 
   Red Bull called every couple of hours today, very discouraged.  He told us that he has gained everything he can from the trail, and wants to come home.  He is so close to being 3/4 of the way done... we cannot imagine quitting at this point.  He says it is not quitting, it is a change of goals.

   His muscles are aching, but his knee is holding up pretty well.  The muscles will strengthen, but we are monitoring the knee.  He certainly hiked at a slower pace today.  We knew it would be a bit difficult to get back onto the trail after time off for his sister's wedding., but it is proving to be quite a challenge.

   We have gotten Red Bull to agree to give it a try for a week.  We suggested he get a shuttle or taxi into Peekskill New York (4 1/2 miles from the trail), to purchase a knee brace.  He declined, not wanting to waste the time and money.

   He stopped to camp earlier this evening, so was not hiking until nightfall.  We hope with a longer break, he will feel a bit better tomorrow.

   We appreciate the many offers of prayers from family and friends, it means so much.  We also appreciate those calling/texting Red Bull to offer encouragement... thank you!

 

Hiking the A.T. - stock photo

Morning Update

   Red Bull called this morning.  It rained last night, so he is wet and he has wet things to carry (making them heavier).  He also said there was a set of train tracks nearby, so trains woke him up throughout the night.  He did not sleep well.

   His legs and knee are still hurting.  He is very discouraged.  He did not communicate with Rd Brd, so they have no idea what has happened to Red Bull.

  He camped at the bottom of a hill, so begins with an incline this morning.  The next shelter on the trail is 25 miles away... I do not believe he can make it.  I checked into the fine details of the guidebook to see if there are other options available.  There is a Baseball area that allows hikers to spend the night in the baseball shelter, but that is only 6 miles from his current location.  There is also a state park that allows Appalachian thru hikers to spend one night for free in the park.  Unfortunately that is 20 miles away, and I am uncertain he can hike that far today.

   Red Bull will keep us updated throughout the day.  We have advised him to proceed gently, and not push it too hard.  I know he does not like to spend the nights alone, and thought of his group getting farther and farther ahead causes disappointment.

Rain in the Woods - stock photo

 

Red Bull is Struggling

   Today Red Bull and pals began hiking out of the Harriman New York area, mile 1,383.3 on the Appalachian Trail.  It was an elevation of 550 feet.  Red Bull climbed several mountains, Fingerboard Mountain elevation 1,350 feet, Black Mountain 1,200 feet, West Mountain 1,220 feet, and Bear Mountain elevation 1,300 feet.  There were two areas with views of New York City, unfortunately Red Bull was in no condition to appreciate these vistas.  He did climb the tower on the top of Bear Mountain.

   Red Bull contacted us around 3:00 pm asking for advice.  The goal for the day was to hike 22 miles, with the group meeting at Hemlock Springs Campsite on mile 1,405.4 of the trail.  It was now well into the day, and he had only hiked 12 miles.  He was hurting and uncertain if he should push it to join the group, or take it easy and fall behind.  We cannot make a decision like that for him, but expressed concerns about doing permanent damage to his body if he pushed too hard for too long.  Along with the strained muscles, he now says that his knee is hurting... which is a concern.

  We advised taking a 20-30 minute rest, having a snack, hydrating, and taking some ibuprofen.  He told us he had just done that, and it was his third break today.  He continued on, and told us he would keep us updated.  Around 6:30 pm he was climbing down Bear Mountain, and was near the Bear Mountain Recreational area.  He decided he would get a hotel here for the night because there was no where else to stay, and he did not believe he could make it the additional 5 miles to the designated shelter (also the next shelter on the trail).  Red Bull has been with a group on most of his thru hike, and when they check into hotels he helps pay.  There is a complication that arises for Red Bull at most hotels, but he decided to give it a try.  He called the Bear Mountain Bridge Motel ($75 a night with free shuttle service) and the Stony Point Center ($50 a night, with $10 shuttle fees each way).  Red Bull told us there were "no rooms available".  There is also the Bear Mountain Inn and the Overlook Lodge for $149 a night, as well as the Holiday Inn Express for $120, but he passed on those due to the expense.  He had hiked down to the Bear Mountain Zoo thinking there would be a parking area there to meet a shuttle, but he was mistaken.  The Zoo area is the lowest point on the Appalachian Trail at an elevation of 177 feet.

   Feeling frustrated and hurting, Red Bull decided to press on as far as possible for the night.  He called home around 8:30 pm, to tell us he had stopped on the side of the trail at the best spot he could find.  It was dark, and he could not travel any further tonight.  He sounded miserable.

   I will not sleep well tonight, if I sleep at all.  Red Bull is sleeping on Bear Mountain, all alone, in the dark, hurting, discouraged, on the side of the trail.  I asked him if he were to tell his hiking pals what was happening, if they would slow down over the next couple of days for him.  His response was, "you fall behind... you stay behind."  He will not even ask.  I told him to text Rd Brd and let him know what is happening, but I doubt he will.  His sisters tried to convince me to text Rd Brd and ask him to wait for Red Bull tomorrow morning, but Red Bull would be upset.

   We have alerted all his siblings, and family to what is happening.  Many prayers are being offered, and there is even some fasting/praying for Red Bull.  That is all we can do from here...
May he sleep well, and awaken refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning.

Sleep well Red Bull, sleep well... may you escape the pain, discomfort, and mental anguish as you dream of hiking to the top of Mt Katahdin in Maine!


Photos and information about Bear Mountain State Park:

Bear Mountain Merry Go Round - stock photo

Stock Photo

view of Hudson River from Bear Mountain
photo from explorehudsonvalley.com

From NewYorkStateParks.com:

Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails. An outdoor rink is open to ice skaters from late October through mid-March. The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park. Perkins Memorial Drive and Tower are open from April through late November, weather permitting.

The Merry-Go-Round at Bear Mountain State Park features hand painted scenes of the park an 42 hand carved seats of native animals including black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, Canada goose, fox, swan, bobcat, rabbit and more

Sad News

   We received sad news from Red Bull as we were driving home from New York last night.  I posted a story on August 6th of a hiker in Pennsylvania who had became dehydrated; left the trail to search for water, and became lost.  Fortunately a rescue party was able to locate him; he was severely dehydrated, and transported to a hospital.  This was actually Red Bull's hiking pal J Drt!  He learned this from his hiking group last night; and not only was J Drt severely dehydrated but he also had Lyme disease.  They believe he went home to recover.

   I know how disturbing it was when I first heard the story, and how thankful I was that the hiker was located fairly quickly.  We were also concerned as Red Bull was hiking through the same area, with no water sources available for great distances.  Now to realize this was his hiking pal, dehydrated, disoriented, lost, and not knowing he was also suffering from Lyme disease... it is heart wrenching.

   I remember Red Bull's comments to me when I first shared the story with him.  He was hiking into Harper's Ferry, and was pushing hard to cover 48.2 miles in one day.  I told him the story as I was warning him to remain hydrated.  We used it as a warning again when he was in that area of Pennsylvania complaining of the dried up water sources.  We double checked to see if that was where the other hiker became dehydrated and lost, it was.  It is incredible to now realize this was/is Red Bull's hiking pal!

   We hope J Drt recovers quickly, and is able to finish his hike!  If not, that he will be able to finish his hike when he is feeling better!  Rest and recover J Drt!