Overview

I developed ‘Through the Forrest,’ an interactive blogging platform that showcases detailed trip reports on a dynamic map. Utilizing Leaflet in R programming, the website was launched on a DigitalOcean VPS to offer outdoor enthusiasts a unique way to explore and share adventures.

Problem statement

Outdoor adventurers and readers lacked a platform where they could visually follow and document trip experiences. The challenge was to create an engaging, user-friendly website that combines storytelling with geospatial data to bring adventures to life.

1. To create a dynamic map that represents various outdoor activities with unique icons.
2. To provide a platform for sharing detailed trip reports, including duration, difficulty, and maximum altitude.
3. To integrate pictographic storytelling in trip reports for enhanced user engagement.
4. To connect with a broader audience by incorporating social media links.

• Designed and deployed an interactive map using Leaflet for R to visualize trip locations and activities.
• Developed a system for users to input trip details and create pictorial trip stories.
• Implemented unique icons corresponding to different outdoor activities (e.g., skiing, hiking, climbing).
• Enabled social media integration for sharing and increased user engagement.

• The complexity of integrating textual and geospatial data was overcome by utilizing Leaflet’s capabilities to bind popup information to specific locations on the map.
• Balancing website aesthetics with functionality was achieved through iterative design improvements.