Introducing Topo

Field-ready answers via satellite, in plain language.

Hi, I'm Tan and I love the outdoors. I built Topo because I kept running into situations where I needed a quick answer while in the wilderness. Now I just text or email a question from my phone or satellite device and get something useful back.

Email or text a question from your satellite device. Get a short, practical answer you can act on immediately.

How to use

You can reach Topo in two ways: text Topo’s number or email [email protected]. This number is reachable internationally and supports global two-way SMS.

Use the table below to see which to use for your device.

Device Method
Garmin inReach Text or email
Zoleo Text or email
iPhone 14+ Text only (cell and satellite)
Any phone Text only (cell)

Ask your question in plain English, including context like location, time, or coordinates. Each message must be self-contained, as Topo does not store conversation history.

  1. iPhone 14+ Satellite: you need a SIM that supports texting (not data‑only), and you should add Topo's number as a contact before texting so messages are delivered reliably.
  2. Location: Texting on a phone does not include current location, so include coordinates or a nearby landmark. inReach and Zoleo can attach your current location so Topo can answer with local context.
  3. Redundancy: If your device supports both text and email, set up both so you have a backup if the text gateway is ever down.
  4. Spam Verification: Topo performs a one-time verification of your number to guard against spam.

A note on costs: Topo is free to use if you have a data connection. For satellite or SMS, standard fees from your provider apply (including international text rates). Messages will count against your Zoleo or inReach plan allowance.

Questions? [email protected]

— Tan

Stay in the loop

Occasional notes on what's new. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

What Topo does

Topo connects you to live, reliable data when you're off the grid. It's designed to be practical:

  • Trusted Sources: Topo relies on live, authoritative data. It uses light weight, intelligent front end to understand your intent and route questions to specialized internal tools.
  • Standardized Output: Responses focus on stability, using consistent formats and terminology so they're easy to parse in a single text message.
  • Web Search: If existing tools can't fetch the answer, Topo can search the web to find what you need.
  • Community Driven: New tools are added based on what you need in the field.
  • Accuracy First: Topo prioritizes accuracy. It can make multiple API calls to fetch the best answer, so it may take up to 2 minutes to respond.

Ask things like:

  • Weather forecasts
  • Car camping spots
  • Fire danger level and camp fire restrictions
  • Air quality or smoke conditions
  • Parking and camping permit requirements
  • Bus times to trailheads
  • Snow depth and avalanche danger
  • Water sources and flow rates
  • Any other questions!

Weather Cheat Sheet

Topo adapts to how you ask. If your device sends location, just say "Weather here". Or try these:

Quick Check

"Weather in Yosemite"

Best for: General status. Get current temps, rain chance, and wind.

Trip Planning

"Weather Yosemite next 3 days"

Best for: Weekend trips. Get a 3-day summary (Fri-Sun).

Tactical

"Hourly weather Yosemite"

Best for: Alpine starts. Get 3-hour breakdown to time your weather window.

Safety / Deep Dive

"Is it safe to hike Half Dome?"

Best for: Risk assessment. Detailed analysis of wind chill, gusts, and storm risks.

Common Abbreviations

To save bandwidth, Topo uses standard weather abbreviations:

  • ovc/sct/brkn: overcast / scattered / broken clouds
  • lt/hvy: light / heavy (rain/snow)
  • fl: feels like (temp)

Avalanche Cheat Sheet

Get precise, localized avalanche forecasts for the US backcountry. Topo maps your location to National Avalanche Center (NAC) zones.

General Forecast

"Lake Tahoe avalanche report"

Best for: Overall danger levels. Get danger ratings for Alpine, Treeline, and Below Treeline bands.

Precision Zones

"Avalanche report 37.7575, -122.4118"

Best for: Border regions. Exact coordinate mapping to the correct NAC forecast polygon.

Specific Problems

"Avalanche problems near Castle Peak?"

Best for: Terrain choices. Know if you're dealing with Wind Slabs or Persistent Slabs, and on what aspects.

Direct Questions

"Are there cornices on Mt Hood?"

Best for: Focused inquiries. Topo answers your exact question directly from the raw advisory text.

Understanding the Output

Example response: Lake Tahoe: avalanche danger (Alp/Tln/Blw) High(4)/High(4)/High(4) today, High(4) tonight. Avoid all avalanche terrain. Sierra Avalanche Center.

  • Alp/Tln/Blw: Alpine / Treeline / Below Treeline elevation bands
  • Mod(2), Consid(3), High(4): Official US danger ratings (1-5 scale)
  • US Only: Forecasts are currently limited to regions covered by the National Avalanche Center.

Where the data comes from

Location & Maps

  • Google Places & Maps

Weather

  • OpenWeatherMap — global forecasts & alerts

Conditions

  • National Avalanche Center (NAC) — US avalanche forecasts
  • CAL FIRE — wildfires
  • USGS — gauged river flow
  • NOAA National Water Model — water sources (modeled estimates; always verify visually)
  • NOHRSC — snowpack

General

  • Web search via multiple search engines

Real questions, real answers

Actual exchanges from field use.

  • Q. Where are best camp spots east of Mt Hood in Oregon?

    Topo. Still Creek (4.3*) 31000 E Perry Vickers Rd, Gov't Camp, 9km S; Lost Lake Resort (4.5*) 9000 Lost Lake Rd, Hood River, 17km NW of Mt. Hood.

  • Q. What facilities are there at Lost Lake Resort in Oregon?

    Topo. Lost Lake Resort, OR: cabins, yurts, camping, store, boat rentals, showers, hiking, fishing, swimming. Open May–Oct. No cell/Wi‑Fi.

  • Q. Give me the bus schedule leaving Skogar going to Reykjavik on August 12 2025

    Topo. Aug 12, 2025: Bus Skogar to Reykjavik departs 10:15 (Highland Bus) or 16:25 (Strato, transfer at Selfoss), trip 3–9 hrs.

  • Q. Are there any wildfires near the John Muir Trail?

    Topo. CAL FIRE Pack Fire 64mi NE, 4,200 acres, 85% contained. Web update: Light smoke visible at higher elevations, air quality good per Mammoth sensors (AQI 15).

  • Q. How much snow is at Timberline Lodge?

    Topo. Timberline Lodge, OR snow: depth 11 cm (4.3 in), SWE 31 mm. NOHRSC modeled estimate as of 2025-12-01 18:04 UTC.

  • Q. Give me water sources near Muir Trail Ranch

    Topo. Water near Muir Trail Ranch: Hot Springs 0.4km S flow2.48m3/s; S Fork San Joaquin R 2.3km W flow2.82m3/s; Senger Crk 2.5km NE flow0.06m3/s

Feedback?

Request new features? Email [email protected].