Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications in a mesh network are described. During a path establishment procedure, a source device may broadcast a path request message, which may be forwarded (e.g., broadcast) by intermediate devices downstream through the mesh network to a destination device. Devices, starting with the destination device and continued upstream through intermediate devices along a path to be established, may feedback path response messages to establish a path between the destination device and the source device. Path response messages transmitted upstream through the mesh network may each include a handover address of a backup intermediate device. Therefore, upon reception of a path response message, an intermediate device selected for path establishment to a destination device may identify a handover address of a backup intermediate device. The intermediate device may perform a handover procedure with the backup intermediate device if a handover condition has been satisfied.