Embarking on a New Side Project: Building a Modern Munro Tracking App
As aspiring web developers, we’re constantly seeking opportunities to challenge ourselves and elevate our skills. If you’re like me—a relative newcomer in the development world—finding the right approach to an ambitious side project can be both exciting and daunting. Recently, I started exploring a new project inspired by my love for hill-walking in Scotland, and I’d like to share my journey and seek some advice.
Background and Inspiration
Having spent several years working with various web development tools—mainly low-code and no-code platforms like Squarespace and Webflow—I’m quite comfortable with core web technologies such as HTML and CSS. I’ve also dabbled in JavaScript, creating some simple custom plugins. However, I feel my growth has plateaued, and I’m eager to take on a more substantial challenge.
My passion for exploring the Scottish highlands has led me to focus on the concept of “Munro Bagging.” For those unfamiliar, Munros are mountains over 3,000 feet, and many enthusiasts are dedicated to summiting all 282 peaks. Existing websites that track Munro-hiking progress, like munromap.co.uk and munrobagger.scot, tend to feel a bit outdated and lack modern features.
The Vision
My goal is to develop an updated, sleek, single-page application that offers users a more engaging experience. I want to introduce features that the current sites lack—most notably, social functionalities that allow users to compare lists, plan trips with friends, and foster a community around Munro exploration.
Technology Stack and Approach
After some research, I’ve sketched out a plan that leverages modern development tools:
- Frontend: Next.js for server-side rendering and React capabilities, combined with Tailwind CSS for styling, especially since I want to optimize SEO by indexing individual Munro detail pages.
- Mapping: Mapbox GL for accurate and interactive map features.
- Backend & Authentication: Supabase as a back-end solution, providing database, user management, and authentication services.
- Hosting & Deployment: Vercel for seamless deployment and hosting, compatible with Next.js.
Seeking Feedback
This plan feels like a significant step up from my current experience, and I know there will be plenty of new concepts to learn along the way. My main question is: Am I heading in the right direction? Is this technology stack suitable for this kind of project?
