Three Hikers Rescued on Mount Shasta After Using Google Gemini to Plan Trip

Three hikers were rescued from California’s Mount Shasta after using Google Gemini to help plan their trip, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said the three young men began their hike at about 3 a.m. Hikers are advised to turn around if they have not reached the summit by noon, but the group continued and did not arrive at the top until about 7 p.m.

That left the hikers attempting their descent after dark. They eventually called the sheriff’s office for directions and spent the night in Mud Creek Canyon before Forest Service rangers and volunteers rescued them the following morning.

Authorities said Gemini also played a role in the group’s preparation. According to the sheriff’s office, the hikers were advised by the AI chatbot to carry far less food and water than they ultimately needed, particularly after what was expected to be an eight-hour ascent turned into a multi-day trip.

The sheriff’s office stopped short of placing full responsibility on the chatbot, but used the incident to warn against depending entirely on AI-generated guidance for outdoor expeditions.

Officials advised hikers planning a trip to Mount Shasta to contact the local U.S. Forest Service ranger station beforehand to obtain accurate, up-to-date information. The sheriff’s office also urged people not to rely solely on AI when preparing for a hike where conditions, timing and supplies can become critical to safety.