Hi Upper East Brunswickers! Gossip Girl here, your one and only source for the latest from the Apogee sphere. I’ll be reporting live on the hikes and bikes that our campers accomplished, and rumor has it, today was an especially thrilling one. Oh, and of course, I collected photo proof aplenty, so enjoy… And who am I? That’s one secret the office will never tell. XOXO, Gossip Girl.

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Skip to a Specific Trip: AXA, AXB, CI, CRM, ECC1, ECC2, MCJ, NEMC, NWX, PC, PMC

Alps Explorer A (AXA)

It was day ten on the Tour du Mont Blanc for our explorers, and today’s hike consisted of a solid ascent to Col de Grande Ferret, an alpine pass between the canton of Valais in Switzerland and the Aosta Valley in Italy. And with that, our hikers made their final border crossing of the trip, from Italy into Switzerland! A well-deserved reward for the group’s hard work was being able to see much of the mountainous ground they have covered over the past week while at the highest point on the hike. Such a special treat! Now on the Switzerland side of the TMB, our hikers were greeted with a scenic descent through flowering meadows, glacial streams, and wooded hamlets. Willkommen in der Schweiz, Apogee Adventurers!

Alps Explorer B (AXB)

There was much cause to celebrate up in the Alps today. After twelve days, our hikers completed the Tour du Mont Blanc, an incredible accomplishment. The final hike of the trek featured rolling terrain, cow herds, and even another pink church (which was lovingly kissed goodbye). While still in Switzerland, this section of the Tour du Mont Blanc contains a lot of German influence, allowing the group to experience even more unique cultures. Even more exciting, today was Kirby’s birthday! The celebration was kicked off with Nutella waffles and sunrise scenery while on the trail. A scrumptious dinner of chopped salad sandwiches with cheesecake bites (Kirby’s pick!) was the perfect end to the day. Tomorrow, the group has an epic glacier hike in store for them, and we can’t wait to hear all about it. 

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

The Islanders had a jam-packed day of riding and volunteering on the beautiful blue shores of Martha’s Vineyard. Starting their morning with a visit to Thimble Farm, our bikers worked with the Island Grown Initiative, an organization that helps make local, nutritious food available to locals. The remainder of the afternoon was spent exploring the sights and sounds of Martha’s Vineyard, complete with some downtime at the campsite. 

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

Waking up in the heart of the Rocky Mountains is not an everyday occurrence, and our hikers took advantage of the terrain to embark on a day hike! The group also had a chance to visit the Alpine Visitor Center, known for being the highest elevated visitor’s center in the entire National Park system. To top it all off, they even saw a moose (photo evidence below)! Rumor has it that a rock climbing session is on tap for tomorrow, and these mountaineers couldn’t be more pumped. Stay tuned!

Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)

Today, our bikers frolicked through the fields of Strasbourg, celebrating their last full day in France. Tomorrow, the group will cross the German border into Deutschland! But hold your horses, for before they leave France, our ECCers are pumped to experience Bastille Day. The French national holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, which marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Usually celebrated through vibrant, lively parades, the streets of France are sure to be filled with joy during our bikers’ ride tomorrow!

Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)

A stunning ride into the heart of the Alsace Lorraine region was in store for our bikers today. The group experienced a taste of Teutonic architecture (think miniature castles!) as they entered a region of the countryside containing German influences. Today’s journey also took our bikers into the Vosges Mountains, a range of low mountains in Eastern France that are characterized by green meadows, polished boulders, and lakes. The scenery sounds lovely, and the gang is ready to hit the road again tomorrow!

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)

It’s MCJ’s first day of hiking! After arriving in Acadia National Park yesterday, the group couldn’t wait to hit the trails and witness the meeting of land and sea that Maine is known for. The group caught their first glimpses of the shore today, and are itching to discover more! Tomorrow features a bike ride through Acadia’s famed carriage roads, so our campers will have the opportunity to experience a different side of the park. 

New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)

And today was…drumroll please…challenge day! Our intrepid White Mountains hikers took on Mt. Webster! At the top, barely winded, they paused to take in the scenery, eat a delicious trail lunch, and spend some time journaling. How lovely! Once back at camp, the crew played games until dinner time. We can’t wait to see what they get up to tomorrow!

Northwest Explorer (NWX)

It’s another great day to be a Northwest Explorer, as the group continued their sea kayaking adventure in the San Juan Islands! Last night, our campers had the opportunity to sleep under the stars at a local island, waking up this morning to the crashing waves. The plan for the day was paddle, paddle, and paddle some more, all while taking in the seaside, coastal views of the Pacific Ocean.

Pacific Coast (PC)

It’s yet another beautiful day of riding through the Golden State for our bikers. Today’s trek marked their departure from the Redwood Park, with a fittingly stunning ride along Bodega Bay. Complete with rolling hills and spectacular views of the coast, the group is truly living the California dream.

Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)

Word on the street is that the latest batch of Pyrenees explorers have touched down in Barcelona! Beginning their adventure with enthusiastic hellos and get-to-know-you games, the group was all smiles upon their first gathering. After settling in this morning, the crew picked up some water guns to stay cool, and it seemed like a blast! Anticipation is building for their kayaking expedition set for tomorrow morning, during which they will experience a taste of Spain’s southern coast.