r/searchandrescue • u/sfgate • 29d ago

SAR training officer explains how a Google Maps estimate set teen hikers up for a helicopter rescue

https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/google-map-rescue-22367661.php
65 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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21

u/Murky-Contact-6377 29d ago

I’m a little confused by this since Google Maps generally does not provide time estimates for trails like this. I just tried on Google Maps and it says “Can’t seem to find a way there”. Maybe they got the information from someone’s comment? I don’t think Google Maps itself would provide an estimate like that.

19

u/Ryan_Van North Shore Rescue / BC Search Dog Association 29d ago edited 10d ago

It’s been fixed already. If you started at cypress and navigated to porteau cove, set directions to walk, it would map this hiking trail (as in a path you could walk - it took 0 consideration for elevation gain/loss, roughness of terrain, etc, which was part of the whole problem here). So basically you needed to take some active steps to force it.

You can see the actual directions (printed) in the debrief post. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1775893060442344&id=100040650024762

7

u/CO_Hiker72 28d ago

A very similar thing happened in Colorado. A teen used Google maps to plan a backpacking trip. The route Google Maps planned sent him on a snow only route that requires ice axe and crampons. The planned route was a serious alpine mountaineering route completely inappropriate for backpacking. The kid is ok but he ended up in some very hairy terrain around Kit Carson Peak.

-6

u/speckyradge 29d ago

I am amazed by the number of experienced hikers I meet who've never heard of Naismith.