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Three novice hikers rescued from Mount Shasta after relying on AI for trip planning

Three novice hikers from Roseville, California, were rescued on Monday after becoming stranded on Mount Shasta's Clear Creek Route. The group relied heavily on Google's Gemini AI to plan their route and determine what to pack, which the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office called a "critical misstep." Gemini advised the hikers to bring significantly less food and water than required for their journey, which turned into a multi-day ordeal instead of the planned eight-hour ascent. The hikers began their climb at 3 a.m. on Sunday and reached the summit at 7 p.m., missing the recommended noon turnaround time. During the descent, the group became lost and entered Mud Creek Canyon. One hiker suffered a knee injury during the trek. The group was forced to bivouac in the canyon until USFS Climbing Rangers and the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office rescue teams arrived on Monday morning. Authorities advised hikers to verify their routes frequently and not rely solely on AI or mobile devices. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office recommended calling the local USFS Mount Shasta Ranger station for accurate information before starting a trip.

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