It’s that time again, folks! Today’s blog has another hidden message for our readers to decode, and we promise it’s never going to let you down. As you read about each of our awesome trips in the field, keep a lookout for a phrase that describes how we feel towards our new Apogee friends at the end of each trip. And don’t forget to come back tomorrow for the answer!
Skip to a Specific Trip: CS, DEX, VMA, VMB, CRMC, CMC, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWX, PC, AXA, AXB, PMC
Caribbean Service (CS)
CS is on the move again as they head towards the beautiful blue waters of Cabo Rojo. There, they will spend the next few days doing service with CCPAS where they’ll be doing trail maintenance and working to preserve the gorgeous Puerto Rican lands. But that can wait for tomorrow – in the meantime, after a long drive, the crew will unwind, swim at the beach, and get settled into their new house!
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)
There is so much to do in Maine’s national park, Acadia, and today the DEX crew had the whole day to explore! After a shorter hike yesterday, the group will lace up their boots once again to enjoy another natural wonder of Maine: Beech Mountain. After tackling some elevation and enjoying the views of Long Pond and Echo Lake at the top, the group had time to visit Bar Harbor for ice cream. Then it was back to camp for an early night before their sunrise hike tomorrow morning!
Vermont to Montreal A (VMA)
VMA continued their ride north today through picturesque farm lands and quaint Vermont towns! They had a shorter ride today, with a chance to stop in Middlebury to resupply on food and enjoy a break near Middlebury College’s lovely campus. It was then back on the bikes to eat lunch at camp and enjoy some swimming and game time. Most importantly, the group got their first little view of Lake Champlain today! Soon, they’ll kayak on those waters and ride their bikes across the islands!
Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)
The VMB team had a longer ride today with some big hills and gravel roads! While the ride today was tough, this group was tougher! They conquered their challenging ride today, and they’ll be rewarded with a shorter jaunt tomorrow. The group also got to experience an iconic part of Vermont today: They crossed through their first wooden covered bridge! Keep up the good work, team!
Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)
CRMC is living like locals today! The group heard about a majestic swimming hole from their hosts today and took a hike down to check it out! After their walk through the spring-green rainforest, they returned home for laundry and calls home before they head into the backcountry for community service tomorrow!
California Mountains & Coast (CMC)
While their main goal for today was resupplying and prepping to enter the backcountry, CMC just couldn’t help but get one more morning hike out of Point Reyes! After getting their hiking fix, the crew went into town to stock up on backcountry essentials before heading back to camp to complete their preparations. Tomorrow, they’ll take off into the wilderness of Point Reyes National Seashore where they’ll spend four nights in the backcountry! Pictures of this stellar crew are on their way!
Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)
They’re baaaack! AKMCA has officially rejoined civilization after their two days of backcountry hiking in Chugach State Park, having completed the Crow’s Pass trail and feeling confident about their incredible backpacking abilities. They spent this afternoon resupplying and resting up to go right back into the wilderness! Tomorrow, they’ll begin a longer backcountry section, taking on the Williwaw Lakes Loop in Chugach State Park. We’ll have photos galore to share soon!
Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)
Land ho! Our seafaring AKMCBers finished up their two-day sea kayaking trip this morning, paddling their way back to base camp and returning to dry land in Seward. Once they got settled in at camp, the gang spent the rest of their afternoon and evening taking some time to relax and prepare for their epic day of ice climbing and glacier hiking tomorrow. We can’t wait to see pictures of their adventures tomorrow!
Northwest Explorer (NWX)
While they may still be off the grid, we don’t need pictures to show us what our NWX gang is probably thinking right about now: “Just keep hiking, just keep hiking, just keep hiking, hiking, hiking!” This adventurous bunch took on their second full day of backpacking in the backcountry of Northern Cascades National Park today, cruising 5.6 miles through the natural beauty of the Pacific northwest. Even though we know it’s beautiful, we’re still waiting with bated breath for photos when the group makes their way back to cell service!
Pacific Coast (PC)
After resting their legs in Eureka yesterday, the PC crew was ready to steamroll any hill that dared to get in their way today! These fearless cyclists took on their biggest day yet today, cruising 60 miles down the California coast. Along the way, they got to ride through the magical Avenue of the Giants, a gorgeous route through the heart of Humboldt Redwoods State Park. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime journey!
Alps Explorer A (AXA)
AXA is making impressive time on their expedition of the Tour du Mont Blanc! Not only did they absolutely crush their 9-mile hike through the Alps today, but they even found time to squeeze in a visit to a cheese shop near the Italian border. Reports from the field say they saw baby cows (see below!) and learned how Beaufort cheese is made! And if all that wasn’t cool enough, they also crossed from France into Italy today, marking the third country they’ve toured through. After a stay in a lovely refugio tonight, they’ll continue their journey tomorrow with a 12-mile hike through the Italian Alps! More pictures of the fearless group to come tomorrow!
Alps Explorer B (AXB)
After their tour de force hike of the Tour du Mont Blanc yesterday, the AXB team was treated to a well-deserved rest day today! They traded their hiking boots for walking shoes as they spent their day exploring the lovely Italian town of Courmayeur. Along with some time to be stationary, the group also got some time to make phone calls home and find souvenirs to bring back with them. Tomorrow, they’ll hit the trail again as they take on their next leg of the TMB – a 10-mile trek through the Italian Alps!
Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)
Today’s the day – it’s PMC’s first day of hiking! These mountaineers have been raring to go, and they finally got to lace up their hiking boots and take to the trails this morning. They crushed a four mile hike out of Port de la Selva, which let them get a taste of what life will be like on the Carros de Foc trail that they’ll begin in two days. After they conquered their hike, they had some time to explore the seaside town of Port de la Selva before resting up to do it all again tomorrow!
