AI can be a great tool, but not if you're using it for this reason
The dangers of relying on AI for hiking and route planning
I'm not going to lie; I use AI for many of my outdoor adventures.
I've found it to be a great tool for planning my marathon training schedule and finding easy hikes for my toddlers. However, one thing I would never rely on it for is planning an actual mountain route, and here's why.
Recently, a 16-year-old in British Columbia had to be helicopter-rescued from a vertical cliff face on Crown Mountain in North Vancouver. He used AI to help plan his route, which led him directly into a high-risk climbing section known as the “Widowmaker."
One common misconception about AI is that it understands terrain. It can't differentiate between a scenic walking path, an unmaintained gully, or a Class 4 rock scramble. Even worse, if you lose cell service, your chatbox becomes completely useless.
AI can also make mistakes. For example, it went from labeling Panorama Ridge as a strenuous hike to calling it easy terrain when questioned (demonstrated in the video above).
If you're heading outdoors, it's best to skip the chatbox and use dedicated mapping tools instead. Apps like Gaia and Trailforks provide real topographic maps and elevation profiles. Additionally, I recommend always downloading an offline map; I personally prefer using Strava for that.
I also make it a point to carry my Garmin inReach everywhere, just in case I find myself lost without cell service in the backcountry.
Garmin inReach is a handheld satellite communicator that can help hikers stay connected, share locations, and call for help in areas with no cellular service. (Mia Gordon/The Weather Network)
Finally, I advise looking for human reports. It's wise to trust real people over any computer when it comes to planning hiking routes. I always check websites like AllTrails before a hike to see the most recent reports. Fellow hikers can inform me if a trail is washed out or icy.
AI can be a great tool for brainstorming, but when it comes to navigation, relying on AI's shortcuts can literally lead you into dangerous situations.