According to a report by the British newspaper The Guardian on October 8th, a 16-year-old Canadian boy was led to a steep cliff that required ropes and climbing equipment after using the AI chatbot Claude to plan his climbing route. He was rescued after getting trapped. Rescue workers warned that AI cannot replace proper preparation and practical judgment.
The route to the Widowmaker Arete, a rock face in British Columbia, Canada, that stands about 1700 feet tall (approximately 518.16 meters), is described by AI as "mostly simple slate climbing," with "short and steep sections, possibly involving finger crevices climbing and block climbing." In reality, this route requires careful planning and suitable equipment.
Last week, 16-year-old Bryce Vincent Goriluk, who is enthusiastic about indoor rock climbing, found himself faced with a steep rock wall without either of these things. However, he did ask the AI chatbot Claude for directions. These instructions turned out to be completely wrong, and Goriluk had to be rescued eventually.
On the morning of the 3rd day, Gao Liliuk took a cable car to the top of the grouth mountain. During the ascent, he asked Claude to plan a route to nearby Crown Mountain and back. In fact, this hike usually takes eight hours, and hiking guides warn that it is not suitable for beginners.
When Gao Li Luke entered a valley filled with massive rocks, Claude's guidance caused him to deviate from the planned route. He found himself in front of the last steep section of the cliff that the ‘Widow Maker Blade’ must climb over—a section that requires ropes, cam protection, and a well-planned climbing strategy. After starting the climb, Gao Li Luke quickly realized that the terrain was too steep, and he was trapped at the bottom of the cliff. He had no choice but to call his mother and request emergency assistance.
Canadian police notified the North Shore rescue team, who immediately sent a helicopter. However, due to Hargreaves being too close to the cliff, the rotor blades could not operate safely. As a result, two rescue workers had to be lowered to retrieve him. He was airlifted to a rescue base near the Cleveland Dam.
Search and Rescue Manager Paul Mackie warned that climbers should not rely on artificial intelligence guidance; proper preparation is crucial. "In this particular case, the boy carried a flashlight, good clothing, sturdy boots, spare batteries, and extra food. He was well equipped for hiking and climbing, but he certainly wasn't prepared for rock climbing, nor did he have the appropriate equipment."
Maki added, "In this special situation, Claude has never been to the area where this 16-year-old boy lives. As for what this area might look like, Claude can only make limited descriptions."
He pointed out that in some cases, current apps provide too much information. “We have found that some apps mark certain paths as trails, while as rescue teams, we actually prefer for those paths not to be marked at all.” Maki said that people see the routes as good hiking trails, but end up getting stuck.
The most important thing is: Do not blindly rely on AI as a route planning tool. It will never be able to replace good education, good training, and good experience, and good decision-making on the spot.
