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Three novice hikers were rescued from Mount Shasta after relying on Google Gemini AI to plan their expedition

Three novice hikers were rescued from California's Mount Shasta after becoming lost and running low on supplies. The group, which relied heavily on Google's Gemini AI chatbot to plan their trip, began their ascent from the Clear Creek Trailhead on Saturday. Although they planned for an eight-hour climb, the journey took roughly 16 hours, leaving the group with insufficient food and water. After reaching the summit at 7 p.m. on Sunday, the hikers attempted to descend in the dark and strayed off-route into Mud Creek Canyon. One hiker injured his knee during the descent. The group spent an unplanned night in the canyon because their navigation phone battery died and their backup charger failed. Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah Larue noted that the hikers' dependence on AI was a critical misstep, as the chatbot advised them to bring far less food and water than required. The U.S. Forest Service advised climbers to use reliable sources, carry paper maps, and follow a recommended turnaround time of noon to ensure they have enough daylight to return.

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