Simple pricing for the backcountry.

Each message you send Backcountry Signal uses 1 request. The complete answer is included, even if it takes multiple text messages to deliver. If you text a follow-up question, that's a new request. Service keywords (TEST, STATUS, HELP, COMMANDS, EXAMPLES, STOP, START, RESET) and verification texts never use a request.

No. Every purchase is a one-time payment. A Trip Pass and a Season Pass each run their course and simply end — nothing renews, and you're never charged again unless you decide to buy another pass.

Your pass is active the moment you buy it: a Trip Pass for 14 days, a Season Pass for 12 months. Unused requests expire with the pass. If you buy another pass before the current one ends, your remaining requests carry over and your access is extended.

Just buy another pass whenever you're heading out again — there's nothing to cancel and nothing renews on its own. Free-trial requests don't expire.

If something goes wrong — the trip fell through, or the service didn't work for you — email support@backcountrysignal.com within 14 days of purchase. We'll happily refund a pass that's unused or that you genuinely couldn't use.

Backcountry Signal works when your device can send and receive ordinary SMS text messages to our US phone number — smartphones and basic phones alike. For now the service is available to US phone numbers only.

Satellite texting relays your message through satellites instead of cell towers, and many recent phones can do it with no extra gear on supported carrier plans. Backcountry Signal receives it just like a regular text and replies the same way — no app, Wi-Fi, or data connection needed. Satellite delivery can take longer than normal SMS in each direction. Capabilities vary by phone, carrier, and plan, so check with your carrier — and send a test text over satellite before you rely on it in the field. You'll need to be outside with a clear view of the sky. And if you catch even one bar of signal, ordinary SMS works too.

Dedicated satellite messengers (Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, SPOT X, and similar) use their own messaging platforms rather than ordinary SMS. Many of them can exchange two-way texts with US phone numbers, and where that works, Backcountry Signal replies like any other contact — but delivery depends on your device and plan, so test it with our number before your trip.

No. We only see a location if you text us one — like coordinates or a place name for a weather or avalanche forecast. We keep limited conversation context so answers stay useful, and we use message content only to provide the service — see our Privacy Policy. Reply STOP anytime and we stop texting.

No. Backcountry Signal is decision support, not rescue. If you can call 911 or trigger satellite SOS in an emergency, do that first. Use Backcountry Signal for practical next steps and guidance.

Yes — reply STOP to any message and we won't text you again (reply START to come back). There's no subscription to cancel; passes simply end on their own.