Hikers maxim, "every down down is followed by an up up."
I probably would have stopped at the Buddist Center. All that good karma (and cool water) will heal your body, mind and soul. Not to mention someone there certainly would have given you a ride back to town.
I consider the "leader" of that ride to be in error. Is this the way it is in cycling? Pressure the weaker participants to either keep up or be left behind?
Congrats for surviving.