3 California hikers used AI to climb a mountain. Then they had to be rescued

Three inexperienced hikers from Roseville, California, found themselves stranded high on Mount Shasta after a climb gone awry. According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office, the group had relied on Google’s Gemini AI assistant for guidance on the route and packing essentials for their expedition. However, their decision to lean heavily on the AI proved to be a costly mistake.

The hikers had underestimated their needs, packing far less food and water than required, which would come back to haunt them as they became lost in the wilderness.

The trio launched their ascent on Saturday, reaching a campsite around 8,400 feet above sea level. They set out for the summit at 3 a.m. on Sunday, pushing well past the recommended 12 p.m. turnaround time. Despite the late hour, they managed to complete their ascent around 7 p.m., only to be forced into a perilous descent as darkness set in. After an hour of navigating through the dark, one member of the group suffered a knee injury.

Trapped in Mud Creek Canyon, the hikers were stranded overnight, spending the night in a steep drainage. US Forest Service climbing rangers arrived the following morning to provide medical assistance and guide the group back to the trailhead. The sheriff’s office has since issued a warning to hikers on the Clear Creek Route to turn back before noon if they have not yet reached the summit, emphasizing the importance of confirming their route and verifying they are on the correct path.