RidgeSyncHow to Share a Backpacking Trip Plan
To share a backpacking trip plan in RidgeSync, click the ↗ Share pill in the sidebar header, pick a card design, and click Copy to grab a public link — the recipient sees your route, camps, stats, and photos without needing an account, and can save their own editable copy if they want one.
Sharing your plan is also a safety habit: a trip left with an emergency contact turns a vague "I'll be back Sunday" into a specific route, camp list, and daily schedule that person can hand to search and rescue if you go overdue.
Create and manage a share link
- Open the Share modal
Click the ↗ Share pill in the sidebar header, or choose "Share trip…" from the ··· menu, to open the Share modal.
- Pick a card design
The modal shows a card-design carousel with four options: Route map, Photo + map, Stat sheet, and Minimal. Pick whichever best previews your trip for the person you're sending it to — Photo + map for a visual teaser, Stat sheet for a numbers-focused overview.
- Copy the link
Use the link field's Copy button to grab the share URL, or use the Share-to row for direct sending via Messages, WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Email, More, or Image download.
- Check the link status
The modal shows the link's current state: "Link is live" when active, or "Link paused — recipients see a dead link" when paused.
- Pause or resume the link any time
Use the Pause link / Resume link toggle to turn sharing off without deleting the link — useful if plans change and you don't want an outdated route circulating, or you're ready to reactivate it later.
Tip Pause a link instead of regenerating it if you'll want to reuse the same URL later — Resume link brings back the exact same address.
- Recipients view the trip without an account
Anyone with the link (/s/token) sees a hero card, stats, the day list, and a photo grid — no login required, so an emergency contact or a friend deciding whether to join can see the whole plan instantly.
- Let recipients save their own copy
Recipients can click "Save to my trips" to make their own editable copy — routes, camps, food plan, and packing list included — which is the fastest way for a hiking partner to build their own version of your itinerary.
Why leaving your plan with someone matters
The single most effective backcountry safety habit costs nothing and takes thirty seconds: leave your trip plan with someone who isn't coming. A specific route, camp locations, and expected return date turn a missed check-in into an actionable search area instead of a guess spanning an entire mountain range.
A share link beats a screenshot or a verbal summary because it stays current — if you adjust Day 2's camp the night before you leave, the same link reflects the update. It's also useful beyond safety: a Stat sheet card makes a trip easy to brag about, and a Photo + map card is an easy way to recruit a friend for next year's version.
Pro tips for sharing well
- Send your emergency contact the link before you drive to the trailhead, not after — a link sent from a dead zone doesn't help anyone
- Pick Stat sheet for a fast-reading summary an emergency contact can scan in seconds; save Photo + map for friends deciding whether to join
- Pause a link instead of leaving an outdated one live if your route or dates change significantly close to departure
- Encourage hiking partners to use "Save to my trips" so they can adjust the shared plan to their own pace and gear without editing your original
A trip plan is only a safety net if someone else actually has it before you leave — make sending the link part of your pre-trip routine, the same as checking the weather or filling water bottles.
Try it live
Frequently asked questions
How do I share a backpacking trip plan?
Click the ↗ Share pill in the sidebar header, choose a card design (Route map, Photo + map, Stat sheet, or Minimal), then click Copy to get a public link, or send it directly via the Share-to row.
Does the recipient need a RidgeSync account to view my trip?
No. Anyone with the share link sees the hero card, stats, day list, and photo grid at /s/token without logging in. An account is only needed if they choose "Save to my trips" to make their own editable copy.
Can I stop sharing a trip without deleting the link?
Yes. Use the Pause link toggle in the Share modal — the status changes to "Link paused — recipients see a dead link" and you can click Resume link later to reactivate the same URL.
What does "Save to my trips" give the recipient?
A full editable copy of your trip — routes, camps, food plan, and packing list included — that they can then modify freely without affecting your original plan.