Gather round, friends and family! What have we here? Why, another Apogee day full of fun, of course. From sandstone wind caves in California to glacial bays in Alaska, from Arizona’s open skies to the byways of Vermont, smiles and friendship abound in the adventures we had on day forty-one. So fill up your Nalgenes, pack your panniers, zip up your tent, and read on to hear all about the (non-Olympic) field events.

Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMCA, NEMCB, CS, DEXA, DEXB, VLCA, VLCB, CRMC, GSA, CMC, AKMCA, AKMCB, AKMCC, NWXA, NWXB, PC, ACC1, ACC2

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

And they’re off to the races! Okay, maybe not the races, but at least to their first campground. Cape Cod and the Islands set out today on their inaugural bike ride, here’s to the first of many scenic rides down the Cape. We are sending good luck of fun vibes their way as they pedal adjacent to the salty depths of the Atlantic for the next 7 days. 

New England Mountains & Coast A (NEMCA)

After settling in last night with some dinner and dessert, NEMCA hit the hay with the promise of more group time and games. And they awoke this morning to just that! They started the morning off right with some group challenges at a high ropes course (and a break from the rain!) then jumped in the van and headed for the hills (mountains!) of New Hampshire. 

New England Mountains & Coast B (NEMCB)

Remember yesterday when we said NEMCB would take New England by storm? Well, it looks like the storm took New England! But, never fear, as Maddy and Giuseppe and the NEMCB crew willed away the rain just in time for the session at the high ropes course. Three cheers for a rainless ropes course!

 

 

Caribbean Service (CS)

Turtles? Sting rays? Schools of colorful fish? Oh my! Today CS dusted off their goggles and headed for the beach. They spent the morning snorkeling then traded in their flippers for sterile gloves as their afternoon was spent doing street cleaning around the beach.

 

 

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

Today DEXA headed into the Backcountry portion of their trip, joining many Appalachian Trail through hikers finishing their hike in Maine’s North Woods. Good luck in the Backcountry, DEX! Until your return!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)

Home sweet Acadia! DEXB headed out on a day hike in Acadia National Park today, and have their eyes on a stunning sunrise hike tomorrow. Today’s hike was sponsored by snack breaks and lots of water as the group gears up and hikes into fitness for their Backcountry section.

 

Vermont & Lake Champlain A (VLCA)

A faint whisper of mist rose off of Lake Champlain this morning, swept south by the breeze, it reached the nostrils of VLCA as they power pedaled out of camp! With Lake Champlain in their lungs, VLCA broke for the quaint town of Middlebury this morning and put another glorious day of riding under their belts. 

Vermont & Lake Champlain B (VLCB)

Picture this: you are around the ages of 13-15 years old. You decide to do an Apogee Adventure, you are excited and nervous leading up to the trip. Did I train enough on my bike? Will my sleeping bag be warm enough? Is my rain jacket rain jacket-y enough? Now, picture this: it is day 4 of VLCB and the rolling hills are providing just the right amount of challenge, the rewarding swimming spots and views from your campground providing ample incentive. It’s better than you could’ve imagined! 

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

Our rainforest explorers celebrated their final day in the Costa Rican backcountry. They drank in the beauty and majesty of lush rainforests, scenic waterfalls, and breathtaking mountains while enjoying the joy and camaraderie of one another’s company. Tomorrow they are off to Uvita for another day of exquisite sites and scenery (which also means we should finally get some lovely pictures of their recent adventures!).

Golden State Adventure (GSA)

Our Golden State Adventurers wound their way up the 101 and pulled off to explore the Gaviota Wind Caves in Santa Barbara! In case you were wondering, no we did not photoshop those out-of-this-world sandstones, nor did we photoshop the smiles or fun times our explorers had today! 

 

 

California Mountains & Coast (CMC)

As our Golden State Adventurers explored California’s coastline, our CMC’ers spent their second day surrounded by the (gigantic!) beauty of Yosemite’s infamous Sequoia trees and granite cliffs.

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)

Our AKMCA’ers enjoyed a well deserved day of rest and relaxation (does laundry count?) as they geared up to hit the water tomorrow for an epic day of kayaking and island camping.

Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)

Our AKMCB team spent their second and final day exploring the Chugach Mountains before heading back to Anchorage for a van restock and resupply. They are back off the grid tomorrow for their second backcountry portion of the trip. Look at them go!

Alaska Mountains & Coast C (AKMCC)

Having got off the water too late yesterday to share their spoils, we’re posting day old pictures from Connor and Clio so that you can relive some of their kayaking adventures. Not shown here: a hilarious video of the whole crew taking what looked to be a very chilly swim at the beach they camped on. Stay tuned tomorrow for photos of today’s glacial adventures!

 

 

Northwest Explorer (NWXA)

Give it up for our lovely NWXA group, who are officially at the halfway point of their backcountry trek in the North Cascades. No pictures to share today, but we can’t wait to see all their smiling faces when they welcome themselves back to cell service and reception.

Northwest Explorer (NWXB)

Day two in the books for this group’s epic six-day trek through the Olympic Peninsula. While we’re still a few days away from pictures, we can only imagine the beautiful landscapes surrounding our NWXB’ers tonight!

Pacific Coast (PC)

Today our Pacific Coast-ers took their last rest day before the final push into San Francisco. And boy was it well deserved! This crew has been building up their strength for their upcoming final stretch, and making time for some fun (and sugary treats) along the way. Rest up PC, SF won’t know what hit ‘em!

Yum yum, ice cream!

America Coast to Coast 1 (ACC1)

Did somebody say final countdown?? We’re not sure, because we aren’t there, but we sure are thinking it! ACC1 had a long and hot day today, but they ate miles in the morning and calories in the afternoon as they geared up for their very last two days of biking ahead. Keep up that roll, ACC1!

 

America Coast to Coast 2 (ACC2)

Could what they say really be true? Could tomorrow really be the day that ACC2 crosses their final state border?! Not only is ACC2 a mere 54 miles from Salome, AZ but they are soon to cross their last and final state border. Keep on pedaling, ACC2, the Pacific is almost in sight!