Overcrowding and a lack of preparedness in the wilderness isn’t a new issue. Guides told Outside that hikers’ reliance on technology for route finding and adventure advice is also getting people into trouble. Vallata said he’s heard of incidents in which hikers use artificial intelligence to help them discover a route, only to discover that the trail is not safe.
“Since about one year ago, many people have begun to think everything on ChatGPT is correct,” Vallata said. “It is not a tool for mountain advice, for routes, or for planning.”