Google AI leaves hikers stranded on 14,000ft mountain with inadequate food, police says

This incident highlights a major warning from law enforcement regarding the risks of relying on AI chatbots for backcountry trip planning.

According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service, three novice hikers had to be rescued from California's Mount Shasta (a 14,179-foot volcano) after a trip planned heavily with Google's Gemini AI went dangerously wrong.

The hikers relied on Gemini to map out their route, estimate timing, and determine what gear and provisions to pack. 

Police noted that the chatbot advised them to bring far less food and water than actually needed.

The initial 8-hour trek turned into a grueling 16-hour ordeal. The group ignored standard safety protocols by pushing past the recommended noon summit turnaround time, reaching the peak at around 7:00 PM.

Forced to descend in the dark, the group wandered off-route into Mud Creek Canyon. One hiker suffered a knee injury from a fall, their phone died, and they spent a freezing night stranded without adequate clothing, shelter, food, or water.

USFS climbing rangers located the stranded group the next morning, providing first aid and supplies before escorting them down.