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Project "RutaRica"

Author: Javier Bateman Aramendia Published: April 20, 2026 Status: In Progress
Project Goals
Make a WikiLoc like local web app for me and my friends so we can share all the little known hiking and swimming spots we like to go to
Description

Why build this?

Every time my friends and family want to plan a hike, find a new river to swim in, or pick a spot for lunch, the info is scattered all over the place. Old WhatsApp messages, half remembered recommendations from someone's cousin, and travel blogs written by people who have clearly never actually been here. I figured, why not just build our own private little map where we can share the good spots amongst ourselves?

That's Ruta Rica. Kind of like WikiLoc, but small, private, and only the people we trust adding info. No ads, no strangers, no algorithm deciding what shows up first.


How does it work?

You find a cool swimming hole, you pin it on the map and drop a few notes. Maybe a photo too. You go on a hike, your phone records the GPS track while you walk and saves it for whoever wants to do that route next. Same for restaurants, picnic spots, viewpoints, whatever. Over time it turns into a real guide to the area, made by the people who actually live here.


Why a PWA?

Honestly, this is also an excuse for me to see how far I can push a Progressive Web App in 2026. PWAs have come a long way and I wanted to find out if I could get one to do all the things that usually require a "real" app. Things like:

  • Live GPS trail recording while you walk
  • Offline maps for when you're up in the hills with no signal
  • Geotagged photos from the camera
  • Local first data that syncs when you're back online
  • Installs on any phone without going through an app store
If I can pull all that off from a single codebase, that's the real win for me as a developer.


Is this a startup?

Nope. Not a business, not a product, not trying to grow. Nothing to sign up for, nothing to sell, no data being collected or passed along to anyone. It's just a tool for my friends and family so we can spend less time planning and more time actually getting outside.



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