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Google Maps Hike Blunder: Teens Rescued After 12-Hour Ordeal
2 Aug
Summary
- Three teenagers underestimated a challenging hike in British Columbia.
- Their planned 5-hour trek stretched to at least 12 hours.
- One hiker sustained injuries and required helicopter evacuation.
A recent hiking excursion in British Columbia's Howe Sound Crest Trail took a dangerous turn for three teenagers when their digital navigation proved unreliable.
The hikers, two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old, had printed directions from Google Maps, anticipating a hike lasting just over five hours. However, the rugged backcountry trail, known for its stunning views but also its treacherous loose rocks and significant elevation gain, presented a far greater challenge.
Their actual hike extended to at least 12 hours. The situation escalated when the 18-year-old slipped on a rock, falling approximately 9 feet and injuring his tailbone, rendering him unable to continue. Emergency services were contacted, and a helicopter crew from Lions Bay Search and Rescue was dispatched to the scene.
Rescuers successfully extricated the injured hiker and his companions. The injured teen was airlifted via an evacuation harness after being medically assessed. The printed Google Map directions, which included several cautionary alerts, underscored the optimistic misjudgment of the trail's difficulty.
