THUNDERBIRD
Features Pricing FAQ
// Off-grid weather intelligence
Off-grid trail intelligence
over satellite on your phone.
Trail specific intelligence (weather, location and mapping) optimised for ultra low bandwidth satellite.
$49 USD $9 USD satellite enablement fee
// Thunderbird · Off-grid weather
Most hikers
don't know
this.
// Satellite capability
Your phone can already receive satellite data.
No Garmin.
No inReach.
No extra device.
// 01 · Open the app
Your location.
Your trail.
Signal or no signal — satellite handles it.
01
02
// 02 · Select waypoints
Tap cells along
the route. Up to 10.
Each cell = a 2km hyper-local forecast window.
// Forecast · Ridge Pass · 2,340m
Temp
4°C
Wind
32km/h
Rain
12mm
Lightning
HIGH
⚠ Warning
Shelter before 14:00. Storm arrives at the pass — 92% probability.
VIA SATELLITE · DELIVERED IN 74s
// See it in action
Satellite
Intelligence. BYO Cell.
Back in 2022, the nexus between phones and satellites converged, enabling most modern smartphones to communicate with satellites in ultra-low-bandwidth applications. You've probably heard of Apple's satellite SOS safety feature. Thunderbird uses similar technology, with a proprietary codec that encodes and decodes hyper-detailed on-trail weather forecasts and lets you send location breadcrumbs to loved ones. Whether your satellite service supports data or SMS only, Thunderbird's on-trail intelligence is optimised to just work when you're off-grid. BYO cell*, no expensive satellite communicator required.
*compatible smartphone with satellite connectivity required
PCT 2,653m4°C · Wind 32km/h NW · Snow above 2,100m
JMT 4,009m1°C · Wind 45km/h W · Whiteout risk
Overland Track3°C · Rain 15mm · Wind 40km/h SW
TMB 2,329m5°C · Cloud base 2,200m · Clearing 16:00
Alta Via 1 2,778m2°C · Lightning risk HIGH · Shelter before 15:00
Western Arthurs-1°C · Wind 50km/h · No summit window
Annapurna 5,416m-12°C · Wind 40km/h · Clear window 05:00–09:00
Milford Track1°C · Rain 22mm · Visibility 100m
Kilimanjaro 4,673m-8°C · Wind 35km/h · Summit window 00:00–06:00
PCT 2,653m4°C · Wind 32km/h NW · Snow above 2,100m
JMT 4,009m1°C · Wind 45km/h W · Whiteout risk
Overland Track3°C · Rain 15mm · Wind 40km/h SW
TMB 2,329m5°C · Cloud base 2,200m · Clearing 16:00
Alta Via 1 2,778m2°C · Lightning risk HIGH · Shelter before 15:00
Western Arthurs-1°C · Wind 50km/h · No summit window
Annapurna 5,416m-12°C · Wind 40km/h · Clear window 05:00–09:00
Milford Track1°C · Rain 22mm · Visibility 100m
Kilimanjaro 4,673m-8°C · Wind 35km/h · Summit window 00:00–06:00
// 12 metrics · every window · your location
Weather at every waypoint. 12 metrics.
01Temperature
02Clear sky
03Cloud
04Rain
05Snow
06Lightning
07Wind speed
08Wind dir
09Freeze level
10Cloud base
11Condensation
12Warning
Patagonia trailRidge trail Swiss lakeGroup hiking alpineTent alpine meadowDark storm cloudsHikers sleet windSolo hiker cliff edgeFog peak forestSolo figure snow mistPatagonia trailRidge trail Swiss lakeGroup hiking alpineTent alpine meadowDark storm cloudsHikers sleet windSolo hiker cliff edgeFog peak forestSolo figure snow mist
// Satellite compatibility checker

Check if your
device has
satellite.

Not every device has it. Answer four questions and we'll tell you exactly what satellite services you have.

Satellite confirmed
Thunderbird works on your device. No Garmin, no extra hardware.
// Pricing
Free app. Paid satellite. No subscriptions. No lock in contracts.
// Base app
Free*
No card required
12 hiking weather metrics
GPS mapping
200+ global bucket list trails
Find Me tracking
*when you buy a satellite communications pack
Lifetime satellite enablement fee
Limited time offer
$49 USD $9 USD
*registers your phone number for satellite weather and find me services
// Satellite packs
Wanderer
$19
USD
14 satellite days
All in $28 USD
Weekend trips and short overnighters
Most popular
Adventurer
$29
USD
30 satellite days
All in $38 USD
Section hikes and multi-day routes
Explorer
$49
USD
60 satellite days
All in $58 USD
Thru-hikes and full season coverage
1 satellite day = 1 trail day using SMS/data features · Credits valid 12 months · Top up anytime · Fair use policy applies
vs. Garmin inReach — $350+ hardware · $35–65/mo subscription · BYO device with Thunderbird
$49 USD $9 USD satellite enablement fee
// FAQ
Frequently
asked.
Do I need a separate satellite device?
No. Thunderbird works with the satellite connectivity already built into modern smartphones. No Garmin, no inReach, no extra hardware.
What devices are supported?
iPhone 14+ with satellite SOS. Android satellite devices at launch. HTTP forecasts work on any browser.
How accurate is the 2km forecast grid?
Your ridge, your elevation, your exposure. Location-specific data at multiple waypoints along your route.
How does satellite delivery work?
A custom binary codec compresses 12 metrics into satellite-sized payloads. Your phone pings location, receives a full forecast — typically under 90 seconds.
What are the 12 metrics?
Temperature, clear sky, cloud cover, rain, snow, lightning, wind speed, wind direction, freezing level, cloud base, condensation, and warnings.
Get your trail forecast
2km forecast grid. 12 metrics. Satellite delivery on the phone you already carry.
$49 USD $9 USD satellite enablement fee
// Launch offer
Register for early access.
$49 USD $9 USD satellite enablement
Register now to lock in your discounted satellite enablement fee*
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*when you buy a satellite pass. No payment required now. Unsubscribe anytime.
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