Man Injured After Following AI-Recommended Hiking Route in Zhejiang
A man from Suzhou consulted an AI hiking recommendation service after an argument with his wife and was directed to climb Tonggongjian peak in an undeveloped mountain area in Zhejiang. He fell and became trapped at 1300 metres elevation. Rescue teams spent 4–5 hours retrieving him; he sustained foot and knee injuries. The rescue team noted the AI had provided no equipment guidance and the hiker was unprepared for the challenging route.
What happened
On 12 August 2026 evening, a man from Suzhou consulted an AI service for hiking recommendations after arguing with his wife. The AI asked about his psychological state, personality, height and fitness level, then recommended the Tonggongjian peak in Zhejiang's Zhexi Three Peaks, a remote mountain area at 1558 metres elevation.
The man climbed the peak but fell and was injured, becoming trapped at approximately 1300 metres in an undeveloped area with difficult terrain, dense forest and sparse mobile signal. Rescue teams of 7 members, 2 police officers and 3 firefighters took 1.5 hours to locate him and a further 4-5 hours to bring him down the mountain by relay.
Reported impact
The man sustained multiple abrasions to his feet and knees. The rescue operation lasted through the night until early morning, requiring multiple rescue personnel to assist the injured hiker down the steep, treacherous terrain.
Index analysis
Rescue team leadership stated the AI had provided no guidance on necessary outdoor equipment or preparation, and the hiker was unprepared for the route with minimal gear and unsuitable footwear. The AI recommendation was based on aggregated online content about the route but did not account for the hiker's admitted lack of mountaineering experience or fitness level appropriate for the route's sustained elevation gain.
Governance controls
Rescue authorities advised hikers to understand route difficulty before departure, select appropriate trails, carry safety equipment such as slip-resistant shoes and first aid kits, and avoid undeveloped areas. They recommended calling emergency services if injured or lost.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.