Don't let an AI chatbot plan your mountain trek

An AI chatbot might help you draft an email, but letting it plan a wilderness hike can get you stranded on a mountain.

Three hikers were rescued from California’s Mount Shasta after relying on Google Gemini to plan their expedition, according to reports from TechCrunch and the Siskiyou County sheriff’s office. The trio started their trip at 3 a.m. but didn't reach the summit until 7 p.m.—seven hours past the recommended noon turnaround time. After attempting to descend in the dark, they spent the night in Mud Creek Canyon before rangers and volunteers rescued them the next morning. The sheriff’s office noted that Gemini advised the group to bring far less food and water than required for the journey.

Why it matters: Large language models regularly invent plausible details and fail to account for real-world risk. Using AI to estimate critical survival logistics—like water rations, trail difficulty, or timing—can turn a day trip into a emergency.

Know this: Local authorities advise calling the USFS Mount Shasta ranger station before setting off to get accurate trail conditions and water requirements. Never rely entirely on an AI for physical safety.

Until chatbots learn how to carry extra water, leave trail planning to real experts.