Hiker Rescued After Following Google Maps On a 'Dangerous,' Non-Existent Trail

A hiker was rescued from a cliff edge on Saturday after allegedly following a WatchNo Google AI Search, I Don’t Need to Learn About the “Benefits of Slavery” CCShare SubtitlesOffEnglish“The area is clearly dangerous, as it was the sight of a previous fatality,” the organization said in a Facebook post Saturday.AdvertisementNSR deployed a helicopter rescue team but wasn’t able to locate the hiker from the air. The dense tree canopy blocked the hiker from view and according to the post, the hiker traveled with “minimal gear,” meaning he did not have a flashlight on hand to direct the rescuers to his location. A search and rescue team did eventually find the missing backpacker. AdvertisementThis is not the first time a hiker needed to be rescued on the mountain while following Google Maps, the NSR reported. A second hiker was stranded on a cliff in September after allegedly following a similar trail that appeared on the app and called 911, saying he was stuck on Mount Fromme and, “he was hanging on and wasn’t sure how long he could hold on.”The NSR confirmed Google Maps deleted the trail north of Fromme on Monday, but warned against using phones for navigational purposes while hiking. Advertisement“It is simply not appropriate to navigate in the wilderness using ‘urban street map’ programs like Google Maps,” the NSR said in its initial post. “If you are using a phone-based navigation app, consider using something specifically designed for the outdoors such as CalTopo or Gaia, pre-loaded with an appropriate wilderness topo map for the area. We always recommend the good old-fashioned paper map and compass.”Google Maps’ error comes just months after a lawsuit was filed against complaint accused Google of not updating Maps in a timely manner, saying the bridge collapsed nine years previously and should have been reflected in the app. AdvertisementA Google spokesperson told Gizmodo at the time: “Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps,” but if Google is committed to providing accurate information and updating its app, it remains to be seen why a non-existent trail still appeared on Google Maps.A Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Gizmodo: “We use a variety of sources to update Google Maps, including third-party information, imagery, and feedback from our community.”

Based on reporting by gizmodo.com.