Question 1

What exactly is Trailkeep?

Accepted Answer

It's a check-in system with a fan-out. Start a trip — quick or planned — check in once a day, and everyone watching your shared link is updated automatically. No separate messages, no 1:1 texts. The people who care know you're okay. That's the whole deal.

Question 2

Is this a live tracker?

Accepted Answer

No. Trailkeep doesn't run in the background or follow your GPS continuously — battery matters on trail, and constant monitoring isn't what most hikers or families actually want. Think of it as a wellness check with a deadman switch. One intentional tap a day, not surveillance.

Question 3

Is this a navigation app?

Accepted Answer

No. Trailkeep is upstream of navigation — plan your route, days, and waypoints here, then export to Garmin, Gaia GPS, FarOut, or whatever you already navigate with. We deliberately don't compete in that space. The goal is the planning layer and the safety net wrapped around it.

Question 4

Why not just text everyone when I check in?

Accepted Answer

Texting is an unreliable habit. You forget, signal drops, you're exhausted at camp. And if four people are waiting, that's four separate threads to maintain. One check-in here updates everyone simultaneously via the shared link — no re-explaining the itinerary, no 1:1 message storms.

Question 5

Do I need special hardware or a satellite device?

Accepted Answer

No. No satellite brick, no annual hardware subscription. Trailkeep works on the phone you already carry — including off-grid check-ins on supported devices. See the Check in anywhere section below for how that works.

Question 6

Are Quick Start and the Trip Planner two different products?

Accepted Answer

No — they're two entry points into the same safety engine. Quick Start arms the timer and fan-out in 30 seconds with no planning required. The Trip Planner builds a full itinerary around the same system. Same deadman switch, same shared link, same overdue alerts. The difference is how much you plan upfront, not how much protection you get.

Question 7

What does a Quick Start trip look like once it's running?

Accepted Answer

The Home tab shows a countdown to your return, a per-day check-in timeline, and your share link. Tap Check in to reset the timer for the day and notify your contacts. Tap Finish when you're back. No days to fill in, no waypoints to manage — just the safety engine running in the background.

Question 8

Can I import from LighterPack?

Accepted Answer

Yes — two ways. The fastest: open the user menu (avatar, top right) → expand Import → LighterPack URL, paste your share link, and the list imports in seconds. Or export a CSV from LighterPack and use Import → CSV file. Both auto-detect the format. Star colors, affiliate URLs, worn and consumable flags are all imported.

Question 9

How do I add a route to my trip?

Accepted Answer

Upload a GPX file — it's the only way to add a route to the Trip Planner. You can upload up to 3 files and they're stitched together in upload order; each file draws as its own line on the map with no connector across gaps. Loop trails are supported — on-trail legs follow the shortest path along the GPX. Files up to 10 MB each.

Question 10

Can I export my trip plan as a GPX file?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Open the Trail chip in the trip header, then Export in the Route file section (or open the route preview and use Export edited GPX in the map dialog). You get a GPX file ready to load onto any GPS device. Off-trail detours you traced on the map are included — your device follows the exact path you planned.

Question 11

How does the shared trip link work?

Accepted Answer

When you start a trip, Trailkeep generates a shareable link — no account needed to view it. It shows your current itinerary, GPS location, and trip status. Viewers can also subscribe by email to get a short update each time you complete a day. When the trip goes overdue, emergency contact details unlock automatically.

Question 12

How does the Safety QR work?

Accepted Answer

Your Safety QR creates a local safety net—left in your car or shared with people you meet on trail. Shows basic status normally. When overdue, shows GPS + step-by-step response guidance. Anyone can opt in for alerts. Opt-ins auto-delete when trip completes.

Question 13

How does the monitoring system work?

Accepted Answer

Two triggers watch your trip from the server. The Check-in Timer is a per-day countdown — set your interval to 24 or 36 hours. Each time you check in, the clock resets. Return date monitoring is a deadline-based backstop — set your expected return date (and optionally a time), and if you don't come back by then, contacts are alerted automatically. Both run on the server, so alerts fire even if your phone is off or out of battery.

Question 14

What happens when I complete a day?

Accepted Answer

The app captures your GPS location (if available) and resets the Check-in Timer to a fresh countdown. Your last known location is stored and shown on your shared trip page.

Question 15

What if I lose signal and can't check in?

Accepted Answer

Tap the satellite icon in the app — your phone opens Messages with a short check-in code pre-filled. Send it via satellite and the server marks your day complete, resets the timer, and notifies your contacts. Same outcome as checking in online. Requires a phone with satellite SMS support and a clear view of the sky — check your device specs to confirm.

Question 16

Does the app work offline?

Accepted Answer

Partially. Trip data is cached for up to 7 days — you can view trips offline and edit existing trips, days, and waypoints (changes queue and sync when you reconnect). Pack lists are view-only offline; Gear Vault needs signal to open. GPS check-ins queue offline and sync automatically when you reconnect. The app also loads faster on repeat visits when data is cached.

Three steps to peace of mind.

Set up your trip

Heading out now?

Tre Cime Loop

Pick your return date and time

Turn on the Check-in Timer— Optional

Tap Go

Check in from the trail

Want more detail?
Build the full trip

Trip Planner

Plan

Manage

Pack Planner

Build

Gear Vault

From GPX to trail-ready

Upload your route

Place waypoints

Export to your device

Create a safety net

Loop everyone in

Shared trip link

Safety QR

Server-side monitoring, always on

Return-by monitoring

Check-in Timer— Optional

Check in anywhere

Check in on trail
even without signal

Common questions

Ready when you are.