For watchers
Someone trusts you to watch their hike.
A watcher is someone who'd notice if a hiker didn't come home. You don't need the app or an account. You'll get their plan by text, and you'll only need to act if they're late.
The texts you'll get
Every Upwild text ends with "- Upwild". Links always start with upwild.app/w/.
| Text | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Invite | They want you as a watcher. | Reply YES to accept, or STOP to opt out. |
| Plan | Their peak, route, turnaround and back-by times. | Nothing. Keep the text. |
| Started, check-in, new time | Updates from the trail. Check-ins can arrive late if they had no signal. | Nothing. |
| Back safe | They ended the trip. | Nothing. Thanks for watching. |
| Isn't back | They passed their alert time and didn't answer Upwild's "Are you back?" check. | Open the link now and follow the steps below. |
If they're overdue
Upwild does not contact 911 or search and rescue. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
- Open the link in the text. It has their plan, last known location, vehicle, gear, and the county Sheriff's number.
- Try to reach them and their party. Call and text. Phones in the mountains often lose signal or battery, and most late hikers are simply slow.
- If you can't reach them, call. Use the button on the page, or call 911 and ask for the county Sheriff. In Colorado, the Sheriff dispatches search and rescue.
- Read them the script on the page. It has what they'll ask: who, which route, when they were due, last known location and the vehicle.
- Tap "I've contacted the Sheriff" so other watchers know and don't all call at once.
- Heard from them? Tap "I've heard from them, they're fine" so everyone can stand down.
Please don't go searching yourself. Let the Sheriff and trained search teams do that, and keep your phone free for their call.
Your number and privacy
- We use your number only to text you about hikes by people who added you. We never sell it or use it for marketing.
- Reply STOP at any time to stop texts. Reply START to turn them back on, or HELP for help.
- The page link is private to the hiker's watchers. Please share it only with responders.
- Pages close 72 hours after the trip ends.
Didn't expect this text?
Someone entered your number as their watcher. If you don't know them or don't want to be a watcher, reply STOP. Questions: +1 970-306-6111 or support@getupwild.com.
Hike yourself?
Upwild is free for hikers on iPhone. See how it works.