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