With many trips ending today or in the next few days, we begin to hear and see the saddest part of everyone’s Apogee summer: the goodbyes. But, just like saying goodbye to a brother or sister, it is always more of a “see you later”. The bonds and friendships made this summer have the capability to last a lifetime (plenty of our leaders and former students can attest to this!). And whether it be through social media, another Apogee trip next summer, or some odd-job later on in life, Apogee’ers tend to find each other. Our family runs deep and wide. This being said, plenty of our trips are just getting warmed up! Scroll through to check out what’s happening with Apogee across the globe.
Skip to a Specific Trip: CI, NEMC, CRM, CS, MCP, DEXA, VMA, VMB, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWX, PC, AXA, AXB, ECCA, ECCB, PMC
Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)
“We didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.”
-Anonymous
Over the past 9 days, this group has crushed around 139 miles, along the way making great friends, great food, and whether they realized it or not, lifelong memories. During this trip, the group saw the beautiful beaches and towns of Brewster, Wellfleet and Martha’s Vineyard; not to mention the metropolises (metropli??) of Providence and Boston. We are so happy to have had these students on this trip and we wish them all the best. See you later, CI1!
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)
Today is, unfortunately, pick-up day for NEMC, and while I am sure everyone is so sad to say goodbye, let’s take a look back at some of the trip’s highlights! This group completed four awewsome day hikes, including conquering the incredible Mount Washington. Not only did they dominate on foot, they also dominated on the water, splashing through waves by raft and kayaks. The group also took some time to give back to the community at the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center, helping create accessible camping areas. And even more, along the way these folks made some memories and friendships that I know will stick with them forever.
Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)
“Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I’ve seen it rainin’ fire in the sky The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullaby.” For many of these folks, it’s sadly one of their last days to sing this song in the place of origin (probably why they signed up for this trip). It also could be their last night to see one of the best sunsets the States has to offer. I mean, just look at that one from last night! Wowza! This group took full advantage of their last day, getting to explore the awesome city of Boulder, as well as a few hours of community service in town with a local food bank. The group plans to have a nice final dinner in Boulder and reflect on the trip and their time together in the best way we know how here at Apogee — all around a campfire.
Caribbean Service (CS)
CS went to the Centro Interpretivo today to do a trash cleanup on their way to a majestic beach. They also got to help plant mangroves (which are fantastic for the environment and whole ecosystems of their own!!). At the beach, the group got to explore an island, seeing tons of neat fish and other sea creatures. After a great day, the group set up and camp and got ready for their transit to Vieques.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)
Imagine: you are 70 years old. You got up at 4:30am (as 70 year-olds are wont to do) and after a morning of doing 70 year-old things (think reading the newspaper, having some All Bran, maybe going to a water aerobics class), you opt for a restful afternoon. Now then imagine this: You are in your early-to-mid teens and you got up at 4:30am (quite uncharacteristic for this age group) and after a morning and day of hiking nearly all 5,269 feet of Mount Katahdin yesterday, you are still energized, and the next day could probably hike the entire mountain again. Oh, to be young. But alas, DEX had some mandated down time today. The group spent time in a park and a bookstore and prepped for some for kayaking tomorrow. The adventure goes on!
Vermont to Montreal A (VMA)
This group had a rather busy day today! After an early start out of Burlington, they cycled along the causeway across Lake Champlain (can’t see it well in the picture, but it is seriously incredible, you should look it up). The group got to ride a ferry across a 200-foot gap, expediting their route to Grand Isle. Then was lunch and an afternoon of Apogee Olympics, with the winning team (The Green Blades) pictured below. And what might these Olympics be composed of? Javelin throw? Archery? 100m dash? Nay, try a dance off, paper fencing, a best joke contest, and crabwalking relay races. And to top it all off? Thanksgiving in July for dinner. That, my friends, is a heckuva day.
Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)
VMB put aside their peddles today for some paddles instead. The group spent much of their day out on the water today. They paddled around the picturesque waters of Lake Champlain, soaking in the sun and the clean, fresh air around them. After exploring the water, the group then left the water for the city. Burlington has a lot to offer, but for hungry kids on a hot day it really only had one thing to offer: Ben and Jerry’s. And they got their Vermont speciality…the Vermonster, which is…a lot of ice cream in a tub. Probably flavored like snow and maple syrup (yes, I just reduced Vermont to that). Anyway, after Ben and Jerry’s they explored the town some more before heading back to their campground for some food and rest. 
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
Work hard, play hard, baby.
Four hours of community service in the mañana, four hours of insane fun and leisure in the “World’s Happiest Country.” Our service project for the group included building a hydroponic vegetable garden at the Adventure Center, as well as learning about the importance of maintaining a self-sustaining garden, without which the local community would have to go to the market to buy food (requires travel) or burn forest to clear land. Doing service and learning about sustainable practices all in one (seriously, how many 15 year-olds can say they understand hydroponics). The afternoon was spent exploring and swimming in the waterfall around there. Sounds like a swell day! Unfortunately bad service means no blog photos today, but fingers crossed for some very soon.
California Mountains & Coast A (CMCA)
While CMCA is currently in the Yosemite backcountry without service, we can only use our imaginations as to what they are doing right now. Perhaps they are crossing a babbling brook, the afternoon sun glimmering on the water, their voices and laughter accompanying the sound of the stream and the songs of the birds — a natural symphony. Today was Day Two of their four day expedition through the Tuolumne Meadows wilderness – we can’t wait to see photographic evidence of their trip in a few days!
California Mountains & Coast B (CMCB)
In this day and age (evoking my curmudgeonly old person spirit here) it is exceedingly difficult to find time to disconnect from our devices. I’m sure most of you, as parents of kids growing up in the Information Age, Age of Technology, or whatever you want to call it (Age where everyone uses phones and computers for everything), have had to work to create a balance between screen and reality for your children. This is why things like going hiking in the backcountry, where there is no service or reliance on technology, is pretty important. All this to say, the group is in Yosemite somewhere and we don’t have any pictures (but we will!). Thank you for attending my TedTalk.
Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)
AKMCA put aside their hiking boots and poles today to roll up their sleeves and help the surrounding Alaskan community. The group spent their morning volunteering with the Kenai Watershed Forum on the Russian River, and they ended their day getting prepped and organized for their overnight kayaking adventure tomorrow!
Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)
As one backcountry trip ends today, another begins tomorrow! WHOO WOOT!! (See CMCB blog blurb for why you should celebrate this). During their most recent backcountry expedition, the group got some fantastic hiking in (ya know, just for a few mediocre views like these) and watched a waterfall from, oh yeah that’s right, their campsite. Tomorrow they’ll start their second backcountry trip, this time a three-day trip!
Northwest Explorer (NWX)
NWX spent their rest day exploring the town of Bellingham. A fun fact about Bellingham is that it used to be a large coal mining city, but the last coal mine closed in 1955 (unfortunately, this takes coal mining off the itinerary for the day, shucks). The group had a hearty breakfast before heading out to do some laundry (yippee!) and took time to take in the sites and smells of Bellingham (no longer a predominating smell of sweaty men and burning and coal. At least we hope). This short respite will propel the group into their next, new adventure tomorrow.
Pacific Coast (PC)
Surfs up! Today PC put aside their trusty bikes, gave their peddling feet some rest and jumped into a whole new activity…surfing! Instead of roads, this group cruised around the Crescent City beach on waves. Although it was a rainy day (their first and hopefully only one) that doesn’t matter that much when you are already in the water! The group had a blast, proving that they are quite the versatile, amphibious bunch: biking and surfing. Cowabunga! The group finished their day resting up at camp for their next adventure tomorrow.
Alps Explorer A (AXA)
Today AXA conquered Lac Blanc, their backdrop being snow capped mountains, blue sky, and placid, icy mountain lakes (we feel so sorry for them). After this, the group spent their first night in a refuge. A refuge! In order to escape and shelter from the clear skies and temperate climate, of course. Here, they got a home cooked (refuge cooked, really) meal and dessert before tucking themselves into bed for a well-deserved rest.
Alps Explorer B (AXB)
AXB woke up in the breathtaking Les Houches (“Baloney Mountain” in French. The mountain is alleged to resemble a large hunk of baloney if viewed from the base). It was a peaceful and pleasant morning, hopefully with lots of Ibex sightings. They then tackled one of the most challenging days of the TMB circuit – but one with no shortage of amazing vistas. They’re now nestled in their tents in the quaint (and cell service- and wifi-less) village of Les Chapieux. Tomorrow: Italy!
Europe Coast to Coast A (ECCA)
It’s a shorter day today for ECC1 and by “a shorter day”, we mean only 45 miles. What many of us would consider a long and challenging day, these riders are already gobbling up miles (or kilometers, I suppose) on a daily basis. Today, the group took to the Belgian canals, conquering miles and taking in the picturesque views. The group ended up in Kluisbergen where they stayed for night.
Europe Coast to Coast B (ECCB)
Who said rest can’t be fun? Not ECCB, who took to Burges, Belgium for their day off. The group put away their bikes for the day and explored the city. This included finding some of the historic sites in the area, eating food, and enjoying each other’s company. When you spend entire days biking across European countries (hilly ones, at that) a day off here and there is absolutely necessary (if not for the spirit, for the quadriceps). It is a rest day though not a rest days, so stay tuned to see where the churning legs of our bikers take them tomorrow! Unfortunately the group was so busy eating Belgian waffles that they weren’t able to get us a blog photo – but we’ll cross our fingers for more tomorrow!
Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)
PMC just can’t and won’t stop! They are back with another day full of hiking adventures in the incredible wilderness of Spain. The group started out in Amitges where they traveled down into the valley of Estany St. Maurici. They then climbed some elevation (about a ~500m climb) to the Potarro (the pass), which we imagine to look something like this. From there, they kept going and hiked up to the summit of Pic del Portarro for some incredible views. In total, the group climbed up some 1190ft today to their resting spot in Estany Llong for the night. Can’t wait to see what new heights they climb to tomorrow!
