Creating a Modern Web Application for Munro Enthusiasts: A Developer’s Journey

Embarking on side projects can be a rewarding way to sharpen your development skills and bring your ideas to life. If you’re involved in web development and looking to push your boundaries, consider how you might approach building a contemporary digital platform for a niche community—like mountain hikers from Scotland interested in Munro bagging.

Understanding the Context

For those unfamiliar, Munro bagging involves climbing hills over 3,000 feet, known as Munros. With 282 such peaks, enthusiasts often track their progress, share experiences, and plan trips. While existing websites like munromap.co.uk and munrobagger.scot serve this community, they tend to be dated and lack interactive, social features that modern users expect.

Setting Your Vision

Imagine creating a sleek, single-page application (SPA) that not only displays detailed information about each Munro but also facilitates social interactions—comparing lists with friends, planning shared adventures, and integrating real-time updates. This project aims to combine aesthetic appeal with functional depth, delivering a premium user experience.

Choosing the Right Tools and Technologies

Given your intent to elevate your skills, selecting the appropriate technologies is crucial. Here’s a proposed tech stack that aligns with current standards and your project goals:

• Frontend: Next.js combined with Tailwind CSS. Next.js offers server-side rendering and SEO benefits, perfect for indexing individual Munro pages. Tailwind CSS provides rapid styling with a modern, utility-first approach.
• Mapping: Mapbox GL JS. Known for its versatile map rendering capabilities, it can effectively display Munro locations and routes.
• Backend & Authentication: Supabase. As an open-source Firebase alternative, it offers real-time databases, user authentication, and file storage, streamlining backend development.
• Hosting & Deployment: Vercel. Seamless integration with Next.js projects ensures straightforward deployment with optimal performance.

Is this the right approach?

This stack is well-suited for building a responsive, scalable, and feature-rich application. While it represents a learning curve if you’re new to some components, it’s a standard and widely-adopted combination among modern developers. Your choice to focus on SEO and social features indicates you’re aiming for a polished, user-focused platform.

Next Steps and Tips

• Start Small: Begin with core features—displaying Munro info, basic maps, user login—and gradually add social and advanced