The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office rescued three novice hikers from Mount Shasta after they relied on Google Gemini for trip planning. The AI model recommended significantly less food and water than the expedition required.
A planned eight-hour ascent turned into a multi-day ordeal after the group became lost while descending in the dark. The hikers exceeded the recommended turnaround time, and one individual sustained a knee injury.
The group spent an unplanned night on the mountain before U.S. Forest Service rangers and county search-and-rescue volunteers reached them. Authorities have issued a public warning against relying solely on AI for planning outdoor activities.