Building a Modern Munro Bagging Tracker: A Developer’s Journey into a Personal Side Project

As an aspiring developer eager to expand my skill set, I’m excited to share my current side project and seek some expert guidance. Having spent several years navigating the web development landscape—primarily utilizing no-code and low-code platforms like Squarespace and Webflow—I’m now looking to challenge myself with a more hands-on coding experience. While I’m comfortable with vanilla HTML and CSS, and have dabbled in JavaScript by creating simple plugins, I believe it’s time to push my boundaries further.

The Idea: Elevating the Munro Bagging Community

Being an avid hill walker from Scotland, I’ve always been fascinated by the tradition of ‘Munro Bagging’—completing climbs of all the peaks over 3,000 feet. With 282 Munros to conquer, it’s a rewarding and communal activity. Currently, websites like munromap.co.uk and munrobagger.scot serve this community, but I find them somewhat outdated and basic in design.

My goal is to develop a sleek, modern, single-page application that enhances user experience and adds new features. Key among these is integrating social functionality that allows users to compare their Munro lists with friends, plan trips collaboratively, and share progress more interactively.

Technical Approach: Planning the Tech Stack

Having researched the options, I’ve outlined a plan aligned with my learning goals and project needs:

• Frontend: Utilizing Next.js with Tailwind CSS, aiming for SEO-optimized individual Munro info pages and a responsive, sleek interface.

• Mapping: Incorporating Mapbox GL for accurate, interactive maps of the Munros, enhancing visual understanding and planning.

• Backend & Authentication: Leveraging Supabase to handle user accounts, data storage, and real-time features.

• Deployment: Hosting on Vercel, which integrates seamlessly with Next.js and offers a straightforward deployment process.

Seeking Validation and Advice

This project marks a significant step up from my current skill level, so I’m eager to ensure I’m headed in the right direction. Does this tech stack align well with my objectives? Are there best practices or additional tools I should consider? I’d love to hear from experienced developers or anyone with similar project insights.

Thanks in advance for your support and guidance—looking forward to learning and growing through this journey!