What a day to be part of the Apo-verse! So many amazing things are taking place on our trips all around the world, it’s hard to even know where to begin. So, we may as well start with the beginning – Apogee’s beginning. None of us – our students, leaders, staff, or families – would be here in the Apo-verse without the man, the myth, the legend, the founder, Kevin Cashman. And while we’d be happy to celebrate Kevin any day of the year, this one is particularly special – it’s Kevin’s birthday!!! Happy birthday, KC, and thank you for your tireless efforts to make the Apogee dream come true. Now, about those trips in the field…

Skip to a Specific Trip: AKMCA, AKMCB, AX, CI, CRMC, CS, DEXA, DEXB, GSA, MCCE, MCJ, NEMC, NWX, PC, PMC, VMA, VMB

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)

The adventure continues for our AKMCA crew! Today, their escapades took them from the beautiful forests of Chugach State Park over to the bayside city of Seward. After the van ride over, the crew set to work with the Kenai Watershed Forum, who they helped with conservation efforts along the Russian River. Rumor has it that there are some pretty sweet wildlife spotting opportunities along the way – fingers crossed they were in the right place at the right time! Tomorrow, the group will take a rest day to explore Seward, do laundry, resupply, and prepare for their upcoming sea kayaking trip.

Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)

Aaaand they’re off! Our intrepid AKMCB group officially started their first backcountry section today, trekking into the wilderness of Alaska’s Chugach State Park for a good ol’ fashioned out-and-back along the South Fork Eagle River. After spending the night in the backcountry, they’ll return to their van tomorrow to resupply and get fully prepared for their upcoming three-day backcountry stint in the park.

 

 

Alps Explorer A (AXA)

Our AX team crushed their 9-miler today, which brought them across yet another border – this one back into Switzerland! After celebrating their last evening in Italy with a big Italian dinner at their refuge last night, the crew hit the trail and completed their entire hike for the day by lunchtime. Clearly, they’re in great hiking shape to finish the Tour du Mont Blanc strong – tomorrow is their penultimate day on the iconic trail!

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

Let’s hope our CI’ers packed their Nantucket Reds! The team continued their island hopping today as they pedaled their way over to the ferry for a day of exploring on Nantucket. After cruising around the island and taking in all the sights, the crew hopped back on the ferry to make their way back to their Martha’s Vineyard campground for a lovely evening – complete with pizza for dinner! Tomorrow, these seaworthy adventurers will catch another ferry back to the mainland as they continue their tour of Cape Cod.

Caribbean Service (CS)

Have a day, CS! Our service superstars set to work this morning alongside Surfrider Rincon, a conservation organization who our crew helped with a beach clean-up. After a morning of hard work and a delicious lunch, the gang got to spend the rest of the day living life on island time at a nearby beach. All this beach time has got them more than ready to hit the waves tomorrow on their surfing day!

 

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

Welcome back from the jungle, CRMC! (We’re now realizing this line would have played a lot better had we chosen Guns N Roses’s “Welcome To The Jungle” as their trail song yesterday, but it is what it is.) After hiking out from RACE this morning, this crew got moving on their transit day to Uvita, a lovely coastal beach town. They spent the afternoon settling into their new digs and resupplying for the next few days of their adventure – starting with a day of snorkeling tomorrow!

Golden State Adventure (GSA)

As California native Tom Brady would say, “Let’s goooooo!” (If you thought I’d get through a whole summer of blog writing without a single Tom Brady reference, I don’t know what to tell you, sorry. Anyways…) Our GSA team had an absolute blast kayaking in Point Reyes today. As evidenced by the bluebird skies in the photos, they had perfect weather to accompany their perfect views from the water! Tomorrow, they’ll trade in their lifejackets for their trusty hiking boots when they hit the trails again for a great day hike!

 

 

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

At 2:00 PM EST today, our MCCE4 crew officially became the last Apogee trip of the entire summer to kick off. How crazy is that? After meeting one another for the first time this afternoon, this crew of aspiring writers headed up the coast to get settled into their home for the week. Tomorrow, they’ll kick off the day with their first writing workshop, followed by a sweet sea kayaking session. What a way to be introduced to Midcoast Maine!

 

 

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)

It’s go-time for our last MCJ squad of the summer! This crew met up for the first time today in Wakefield before hopping in their trusty van and making the drive up to their first campsite on the beautiful Maine coast. After an afternoon and evening filled with introductions, games, and a delicious first dinner as a team, our MCJers hit their tents early to rest up for a full day of adventuring tomorrow – including sea kayaking and transit to Acadia National Park!

 

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXA)

They’re baaack! This crew of seasoned hikers made their way out of the backcountry and back to civilization today after an epic three-day adventure on the Appalachian Trail. After some celebratory ice cream, the crew hit the grocery store for a resupply, took some hard-earned showers, embarked upon a trip to the laundromat, and zoomed on over to Baxter State Park, where they’ll call home for the next two nights. Tomorrow, they’ll tackle the best the park has to offer: Mount Katahdin, the tallest mountain in Maine!

 

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEXB)

DEXB hit the trails bright and early this morning to make the most of their last few hours in Acadia National Park! The group quickly conquered Flying Mountain, providing them with stunning views and plenty of time in the sun. After packing up camp, the crew made their way over to Bangor, where they collected mail, set up their new campsite, and restocked their supplies. They spent this evening going over final preparations for their three-day backcountry adventure – starting tomorrow!

 

 

New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)

Here we go! For this NEMC crew’s first full day together, the group got acquainted with their home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with a beautiful day hike to Square Ledge. After making great time on their hike, the gang got to spend the afternoon exploring Emerald Pool, wading in the clear, green water and bonding over their awesome day. Tomorrow, they’ll keep the good vibes rolling with another day hike in the Whites!

 

Northwest Explorer (NWX)

After finishing up their backcountry adventure yesterday, our NWXers treated themselves to a hard-earned rest day today! This crew spent their day chilling out in Bellingham today, doing laundry, restocking supplies, and making calls home. Back at camp, they reminisced about their epic backcountry stint while making final preparations for a new type of adventure: three days of sea kayaking around the San Juan islands! 

 

 

Pacific Coast (PC)

Today our trusty PC crew began their last stretch of riding until they reach San Francisco! These talented cyclists crushed 49 miles of rolling hills and insanely beautiful coastal views today, bringing them all the way to Gualala Point – and through their longest remaining day of riding until the end of the trip. Tonight, they’ll rest up in the shadow of a gorgeous eucalyptus grove before hopping back on their bikes in the morning and setting out to conquer another 48 miles down the coast. Unfortunately, the cell service at tonight’s campground wasn’t good enough to get us any photos, but stay tuned to see their smiling faces tomorrow!

 

Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)

After crushing their challenge day yesterday, our PMC crew was rewarded today with a day hike full of gorgeous lakes and stunning summits on the Carros de Foc trail. Reports from the field say they took it easy today, stopping along the way for both meditation and yoga breaks – sounds like a pretty chill day if you ask me! After returning to their refugi tonight, they went to bed early to rest up for another full day on the CdF tomorrow.

 

Vermont to Montreal A (VMA)

Bienvenue au Canada, VMA! These fearless riders crossed the border into Canada today, bringing them that much closer to their final goal of reaching Montreal. Not only did they complete a border crossing today, but they also crushed their longest ride of the trip so far – 36 miles! After a day of flat, beautiful countryside riding, the crew played a lively game of Ultimate Frisbee in camp before eating a delicious dinner and hitting the hay early to prepare for their penultimate day of riding! 

 

Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)

Today was a very special day for our VMB crew! As they pedaled their way toward the Canadian border, they got to cruise along the historic Lake Champlain Causeway today, taking in their last full day in their now-favorite state of Vermont. Not only did they get to ride on the causeway, but they also got to take a short ride on the VM-famous bike ferry. Tonight, they’ll head to their tents early so they can be fully rested for the day ahead of them: a half-century ride (their longest of the trip) and an exciting border crossing await them in the morning!