Coming to you live, it’s Apogee Day 9! While our first trips of the summer wrapped up yesterday (we miss you, MCCE and MCJ!), there’s still plenty of adventuring happening out there in the Apo-verse. Whether biking along beautiful Cape Cod, swimming in Puerto Rico, or hiking in the Alps, the trips in the field are experiencing life and beauty at its fullest. Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Brunswick anymore!
Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMC, CRM, CS, DEX, VMA, VMB, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWX, PC, AXA, AXB, ECC1, ECC2, PMC
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
Holy cow, is it CI’s last day before Boston already? Time really does fly when you’re having fun! This crew rolled into historic Provincetown today, with some nice beach breaks along the way. Reports from the field say it was a hilly day, but these seasoned bikers crushed it!
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)
Today was a jam-packed day for our fearless NEMC group! They started their day at 4:15 AM (yes, you read that correctly – 4:15 AM!) in order to pack up camp and hit Wildcat Mountain for a challenge sunrise hike. They then hopped in their van to come home to Brunswick for an afternoon of service with the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center. I don’t know about you, but I sense an early bedtime…
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
Wooohooo! It’s challenge day for CRM! This intrepid crew packed up and headed out early this morning to get a jump on their day hike, and they absolutely crushed it. After a gorgeous sunrise they hopped in the van to the Flattop Trailhead. There they summited the mountain at 12,500 feet with panoramic views! Along the way up and down, the group made many new friends (pictured below) and were sponsored by speed goggles/party glasses! Early to bed tonight for this group – they’ve got to rest up for tomorrow’s exciting day of whitewater rafting and celebrating the Fourth of July!
Caribbean Service (CS)
A warm ocean breeze, a small but lively town, an outdoor kitchen and roomy back patio… Is this a dream? Nope, it’s just another day on CS! Today, the gang headed from the mountain to the beautiful beachside town of Cabo Rojo, which they’ll call home for the next few days. Here, they enjoyed lunch at the beach and then cooled off in their own backyard pool. We cannot wait to see what they cook up in that sweet outdoor kitchen they’ve got!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)
DEX is back, baby! Some highlights of their backcountry exploration included crossing many babbling streams, listening to each others enticing business pitches at the top of the mountain peak and opening their group’s party box which featured fake mustaches and tiny capes! This morning the group officially made it back to their van just in time for pizza – a lovely welcome back to the front country. After driving to Millinocket, ME, the group then enjoyed some well deserved R&R (or as they called it, a spa day – check out those cucumbers!), doing laundry, making some calls home and checking out Baxter State Park. This group sounds fueled up and ready to rumble up Katahdin tomorrow!
Vermont to Montreal A (VMA)
VMA woke up bright and early this morning to pedal their way to Burlington, VT. Here, the group strapped on their walking shoes and explored all that Burlington has to offer. VMA then traveled along some more bike paths to get to their beachside campground (according to past reviews, it is the finest beach on Lake Champlain!) Their night ended not only with some delectable Ben and Jerry’s, but also an insane firework show on the beach – sounds like a perfect night to us!
Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)
“Country roads, take me home… to the place I belong!” That is what VMB had to have been singing the whole way through their bike ride this morning. For 28 miles, this crew was zooming through picturesque farmlands and quiet country roads from River’s Bend to Shelburne, a rural suburb of Burlington. Along the way, the group sat for lunch outside a barn and inn, soaking in the wonderful greenery around them. The group will spend the evening playing games and sleeping under the stars, resting up for the wonderful day ahead of them tomorrow.
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
CRMC is so friendly that in addition to making lots of human friends, they are also starting to make furry friends as well! Today, the group was accompanied by a dog named Rivas (obligatory glamor shot included below) on their walk from Casa Mariposa to the town of Canaan. Along the way, they stopped by a dazzling waterfall for some lunch. Next stop was Quesos Canaan, a small family-run cheese farm where they made more animal friends – this time, it was cows! Of course they got to nibble on the delicious cheese as well. As the group walked, they also got some fabulous views of Chirripo, the site of their challenge hike yesterday. CRMC ended their day with an exploration of a butterfly garden before heading back home!
California Mountains & Coast A (CMCA)
CMCA sure did get up and at ‘em bright and early today in order to prepare for their adventure in the great backcountry of Yosemite National Park. The group stocked up on food, stretched their legs and chatted with a ranger about bear cans, Leave No Trace ethics, and other wilderness things! After packing, they headed down to the falls for a lovely, afternoon dip in the water. I am sure these troopers are ready and excited to take a breath and enjoy the simplicity and quiet solitude that the park has to offer.
California Mountains & Coast B (CMCB)
Today CMCB got prepped, set and excited for their incredible, four day, three night, backcountry adventure in Yosemite. Their preparation included stocking up on food at the Yosemite Village Store, going over packing protocol, and getting pumped up for the hikes ahead of them. The group then made their way to the Chilnualna Falls Trailhead where they completed a lovely day hike around Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Wapama Falls (where they had a crunchy pickle snack break), warming up those legs to conquer the backcountry. We will be waiting with bated breath for the memories in photos CMCB will share with us in the next few days!
Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)
AKMCA has emerged (well, kind of… they still don’t have service yet)! After a few days in the backcountry, they are en route back to civilization! They’ll be spending their last night in the Williwaw Lake Loop tonight, enjoying dazzling stars peaking over the mountain tops. The end of this adventure will bring the beginning of a new one tomorrow, so stay tuned!
Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)
A few things all explorers need during an action-packed, exciting adventure: some clean clothes, full bellies, phone calls to parents and a bit of rest and relaxation. And this is exactly what AKMCB did today! In preparation for the backpacking portion of their trip tomorrow, the group completed some important tasks today, getting themselves ready for the adventures that lie ahead. Who said prep isn’t fun? Definitely not AKMCB! They experimented with some pickle tastings and an impromptu pyramid! We are excited to see what lies ahead for these explorers!
Northwest Explorer (NWX)
NWX didn’t have service today to show us, but they are currently in the only continental rainforest of the whole United States – how cool is that?! Today, this group is exploring and camping out in the Hoh Rainforest. This rainforest is truly a majestic gem and your students are there right now, breathing in clean, fresh air in one of the most magical places on earth (sign me up!). This group hiked around the beautiful river banks before settling in for the night with some scrumptious food in their bellies and dreams of the incredible views they saw today. We cannot wait to get some pictures!
Pacific Coast (PC)
What a beautiful day to be on PC! For the group’s last day of riding in Oregon, they crushed 49 miles of rolling hills – their biggest day yet. They conquered a big climb over Cape Sebastian, which left them feeling stronger than ever and ready to tackle whatever California throws their way. What could possibly be better than a good day of riding, picturesque views, and a restful night’s sleep? Nothing, in my opinion!
Alps Explorer A (AXA)
Do you hear that? It sounds like… hiking boots being laced up? The rumble of a washing machine? Packs being packed and repacked just so? Oh, wait, that’s right, it’s AXA gearing up to start the Tour du Mont Blanc tomorrow! Before they start their epic 12-day hike, the crew is getting ready and resting up in the city of Martigny. Bring some chocolate back to Brunswick, please!
Alps Explorer B (AXB)
It’s day two of the Tour du Mont Blanc for AXB, and somehow, the views just keep getting better! This rugged bunch had their first day of hiking with their French mountain guide, Elie, who led them to the breathtaking Lac Blanc. Today’s hike even involved some ladder-climbing, which the group took in stride. Tonight, they’ll spend their first night at a TMB refuge. Perhaps some hot chocolate is in order?
Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)
While the rest of us had bagels or cereal for breakfast, ECC1 was eating miles! Just kidding, they had a scrumptious, hearty breakfast, with the miles on the side. Today was their longest ride of the whole trip – 118 kilometers (that’s nearly 74 miles)! Along the way, the group said “vaarwel” to the beautiful Dutch countryside and “bonjour” to Belgium as they cruised into Bruges for the night. One country down, six to go!
Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)
The ECC2 crew (that’s a fun rhyme!) is having the time of their lives in the Netherlands today, and who can blame them? They kicked off their morning with croissants for breakfast, saw lots of sheep on their ride, and got to take a ferry across the Het Scheur. Tomorrow, they’ll conquer their longest ride of the trip – veel geluk!
Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)
If you’ve been keeping track, count PMC as the fourth trip that’s preparing for a backcountry section start tomorrow! Today, the crew shuttled to the border of the Aigüestortes i Llac de Sant Maurici National Park, where they’ll be hiking the Carros de Foc Trail for four days. The trail follows the high mountains in the park, and the group is looking forward to seeing crystal clear lakes, rocky peaks, and hopefully some fun wildlife along the way.
Don’t forget to check this space tomorrow for more updates and adventures from the field!