Getting started

A hike plan is the basic safety record for where you are going. Create a plan with the trailheads, expected duration, notes, emergency contacts, and a GPX route when you have one. The planned date is optional; the important timer starts from the moment you actually start the hike.

Use notes for practical details that could help someone identify your route or vehicle context later. Good notes include parking area, intended loop direction, group size, gear colors, alternate exit plans, or anything that would help a responder understand your plan.

Print your safety card and leave it visible in your car before the hike. The QR card is tied to your profile, not a single hike, so you usually print it once and reuse it. Anyone who scans it can see the current status for your active hike.

Start the hike when you leave or use delayed start while you still have a reliable connection. Starting locks the plan from editing, notifies verified emergency contacts, and begins the expected return timer. If delayed start is used, the hike still appears as active immediately.

Check in when you have signal so your location history and last known timestamp stay fresh. Check-ins do not extend your expected return time automatically. This is intentional, because extending your safety window should be a deliberate action.

If you realize the hike will take longer, use Add time. That records a time-adjustment event, updates the timer, clears any previous overdue alert state, and emails verified contacts with the new expected return time. This is safer than finishing the hike early just to avoid worrying people.