What is Trailkeep?
An overview of the Trailkeep platform and what it is built for.
Trailkeep covers the full lifecycle of a multi-day trip: gear planning, trip coordination, and safety monitoring.
The problem it solves
Planning a multi-day route normally means juggling several tools: something for gear, something for the route, and a mix of messages to keep contacts informed.
On trails where some cell coverage exists, a dedicated satellite device can feel like overkill — but leaving people with no way to know you're okay isn't an option.
Trailkeep fills that gap. Gear, route, and safety — one place, connected together.
The four sections
Start
Your on-trail cockpit. Tap Go to start a trip in seconds, check in each day, and finish when you're safely back. When a trip is active, the Start tab surfaces return-by monitoring ("Expect me back by"), today's progress, and the optional Check-in Timer — everything you need during a trip without having to navigate the full planner.
Pack Planner
Build gear lists from scratch or pull items from a reusable vault. Track base weight, worn weight, and consumables by category. Import existing gear from LighterPack by pasting a share URL — no CSV export required.
Trip Planner
Build multi-day itineraries with daily breakdowns, waypoints, water sources, and resupply points. Upload a GPX file to map your route and export it. Share a read-only link or invite others to co-edit in real time.
Safety system
A privacy-first Safety QR code acts as a status gate — anyone who scans it can opt in to be alerted if you go overdue. Alerts fire automatically when the Safety Timer runs out without a check-in. On routes with no data connection, you can check in by text (cell or satellite SMS) from your phone's Messages app — no separate device needed.
Who it is for
Backpackers, thru-hikers, bikepackers, and anyone else heading into the backcountry for multiple days — solo or in a group — where gear, a shared plan, and an automatic safety net all need to work together.
What Trailkeep is not
Trailkeep does not send SOS or dispatch emergency services — that is what a PLB or satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, SPOT) is for. The Safety Timer handles return-by monitoring, optional check-ins, and automatic alerts to your emergency contacts. Check in by text extends check-ins to dead zones. But if you are incapacitated and cannot send anything at all, a dedicated SOS device is what gets rescue services moving.