Avoid Depending on Artificial Intelligence for Your Outdoor Expeditions' Organizational Needs
Let's Get Real About This: AI might make planning your outdoor adventure seem like a breeze, but it ain't all sunshine and rainbows, mate.
Just chuck a question like "best hikes near me" and voila, you've got your adventure sorted. Or so it seems.
But here's the reality check: AI can't truly experience adventure. It can't guide you to that hidden gem that no one talks about. If you're craving something real, something unforgettable, you'll have to ditch the algorithm and head out on your own.
So, here are five reasons you shouldn't trust AI to plan your outdoor escapades:
5 Reasons We Never Trust AI with Our Adventures
1. Blah, Blah, Boring Suggestions
Minimal effort equals minimal results. Here's the rundown of the five most popular trails in the park. Living in the 21st century, ain't that supposed to be all we need, eh? But let's say you don't fancy hiking over 9 miles in a day? You're now down to two trails that meet your requirements. And these ain't even the best or the most scenic trails. Remember, it's a computer program and it's never actually laid eyes on a beautiful view. Try this for yourself, it works anywhere!
2. Straight-Up Lies
Let's talk about AI's 'hallucinations' - that's when it just gets things wrong. You might think "Wow, it even gave me the mileage and relative difficulty. How thoughtful." But guess what? Trail stats can be dead wrong. For instance, "Avalanche Lake via Trail of Cedars" is actually 5.9 miles, not 4.5 miles as AllTrails makes it appear. And when we hiked it ourselves, it was a good 6 miles, not what AI suggested. The Highline Trail, on the other hand, is listed at 14.9 miles on AllTrails, not 11.8. Again, AI, wrong again. And who knows what else might be incorrect if basic facts like these are off?
3. No Idea What's Going On
And this can ruin your trip in so many fun and interesting ways! It might get the mileage right for Iceberg Lake, but it wouldn't mention a trail closure in Many Glacier during 2025. That adds nearly 1.5 miles each way to Iceberg Lake. Instead of a 9.6-mile hike, you're looking at over 12 miles now. Parking becomes a mess too, as most trailheads will be shut down. And trust us when we say, planning a spring hiking trip to Glacier on AI's recommendations and finding out all trails are buried under snow until July is far from ideal. AI doesn't check snowpack, it doesn't know trail conditions, and it sure as hell doesn't know when a trail is actually accessible.
4. Maps? What Maps?
Another prime example of AI just getting things wrong. You might ask for hikes near a specific location, say Whitefish, Montana, and it might casually throw out a trail that's more than an hour away. A big problem if you're trying to plan your day around specific locations or limited time. This happens because AI doesn't use maps. It can't tell how far one trail is from another or what's realistic for a day trip. It relies on patterns from an algorithm, not real geography or research. So even if the trail exists, it might be nowhere near where you want to go.
5. Support Your Home-Grown Guides
OK, fine - AI can give you a rough starting point. But it's not a replacement for real, on-the-ground experience. When you do your own research, you're not just getting better info. You're also supporting the people who hike these trails, explore these parks, and take the time to share their stories. That includes:
- Local travel bloggers who write detailed guides
- Outdoor writers who live in the area and know it well
- Hikers who leave trip reports and honest reviews
These folks know things AI can't. Like how washed-out a trail might be after spring runoff. Or if that "easy" route has a sketchy river crossing right now. They also keep their info updated, something AI tools can't promise.
So before you hit the trail, take the time to read a few blogs, check local websites, and follow folks who are actually out there doing it. You'll get better advice, and you'll help support the outdoor community.
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
Using AI for outdoor adventure planning can offer several benefits, such as optimizing routes and identifying flora and fauna. However, there are also significant disadvantages to consider:
Disadvantages of AI in Outdoor Adventure Planning
- Lack of Critical Review and Verification: AI plans may not always be accurate or up-to-date. It's crucial to review details critically, such as checking distances and water source reliability against official sources or recent reports[2].
- Inability to Handle Complex Situations: AI tools may struggle with complex or unusual requests, which can lead to inaccurate planning or oversight of critical details[4].
- Dependence on Technology: Over-reliance on AI can detract from the unplugged nature of outdoor adventures, potentially turning them into overly technological experiences[2].
- Limited Human Insight and Creativity: While AI can generate detailed plans, it lacks the original thought and creativity that a human planner might bring to the table, potentially leading to more predictable or less innovative itineraries[1].
- Data Reliability and Privacy Concerns: AI tools require data to function effectively. Ensuring the privacy and reliability of this data is essential, especially when planning sensitive or remote adventures[5].
- AI-generated suggestions for outdoor adventures might lead to a lack of unique experiences as they often stick to the popular and well-trodden trails.
- The information provided by AI concerning trail distances and difficulty levels can sometimes be inaccurate, which may cause frustration and disappointment during the actual hike.
- AI fails to account for real-time trail conditions, such as trail closures, seasonal restrictions, or dangerous weather conditions, which could significantly impact the overall experience.
- AI-based maps and navigation systems might not always be reliable in accurately displaying the distance between trails or the most appropriate routes for a day trip.
- Supporting local travel bloggers, outdoor writers, and knowledgeable hikers who share their experiences and insights about outdoor trails is crucial for accessing accurate, up-to-date, and personally enriching adventure information.
