Three novice hikers became stranded on California's Mount Shasta over the weekend after their AI-planned ascent to the summit turned into a multi-day ordeal requiring a rescue operation, authorities said.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office said the rescue happened on Monday after the three young men from Roseville, California became stuck on the mountain during their descent.
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Following the rescue, the men told a sheriff's deputy that they had relied heavily on Google's Gemini AI to provide them with information about the route to the summit and what to pack for their trip.
"This was a critical misstep, as they were advised by Gemini to bring far less food and water than their group required, especially when their planned 8 hour ascent became a multi-day ordeal," the sheriff's press statement said. "It is always advisable to call the local USFS Mount Shasta Ranger station ahead of your trip to ensure you have the most accurate information, and to never rely solely on AI for your trip planning."
Aside from adhering to the 12 noon turnaround rule, hikers are advised to have multiple methods of wayfinding and not solely rely on a smartphone or smartwatch, and to stop and verify that you are on the correct route often, the sheriff's office said.