What happens when you use AI to plan your vacation?

Hikers hiking a trail (April Huang / The Puma Prensa)

By April Huang, Staff Writer

Three novice hikers were stranded on Mount Shasta, a 14,179 ft mountain, after using Google's AI assistant, Gemini, to help plan their trip.

On August 29, 2026, at approximately 3 a.m., the college-aged hikers set out from Clear Creek, expecting an eight hour hike. Instead, they spent two nights on the mountain. 

Authorities reported that, on the way down from the hike, the hikers admitted to using AI to help plan their trip. The hikers used the AllTrails app, which listed suggested routes, researched the hike on Youtube, and asked AI for what to bring. They had prepared only enough food and water for eight hours, and no equipment to last the night.

"We relied too much on AI rather than our own critical thinking,” the group told rangers.

The recommended summit time is midafternoon, but they reached the summit at 7 p.m., leaving them stranded on the mountain. 

The overnight conditions can be deadly. The temperature on Mount Shasta's peak can be as low as 31℉, and are no higher than 42℉, as reported by Mount Shasta Avalanche and Climbing Center, or MSACC. 

Without being properly informed, the hikers wandered off and wound up lost in Mud Creek Canyon. On the way down the mountain, they contacted the sheriff's office for directions. One of the hikers fell and injured his knee, forcing the group to spend the night in the canyon. 

The next morning, they were rescued by U.S. Forest Service climbing rangers and a local search and rescue volunteer group, according to Fox KTVU 2.

All in all, the hikers returned home safely and learned something important: don't use AI to help you plan everything.