The Narwhal’s Michelle Cyca on the risks of relying on Google Maps and AI-generated recommendations when planning to hike trails that can be fairly gruelling and take far longer than expected. “Google Maps showed the hikers their trip would take 5 hours and 13 minutes. […] In fact, the hike can be an 8- to 14-hour trip and is often done as a two- or three-day backpacking adventure. The hikers were rescued successfully, but it’s not the first time this sort of incident has occurred.” Google’s estimates are based on urban walking (which in my own experience is two to three times faster than mountain hiking); they recommend using dedicated maps and trail apps (the article has some suggestions that are B.C.-specific), but as the article points out, it’s not like Google Maps won’t generate a hiking route or offer a disclaimer when doing so.