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If you’re following along you probably already know just how much magic goes into the Apogee experience, but today we thought we’d turn it up a notch. Today’s theme: if our trips were to see a beloved animated creature on trail, which would be found on which trip? Follow along to find out! And as always, follow our Instagram @apogee.adventures for more (real) Apogee magic moments in the making.
Skip to a Specific Trip: AKMC, AX, DEX, IMC, MCCE, NEMC, PMC, VM
Alaska Mountains & Coast (AKMC)
Our AKMC crew makes their way to Seward today. Known for spectacular glaciers, idyllic coastline on the Kenai Peninsula, and the beginning location for the Iditarod, Seward is just the place you’d want to hang out after an awesome backcountry section in Chugach State Park. Luckily for these guys, this is just the beginning of their Seward adventure. Today they explore the beautiful community of Seward and get ready for their upcoming kayak adventure, where they might just spot a little figure in the distance frantically searching for an acorn. That’s right: AKMC’s fictional character is Ice Age’s one and only Scrat. We’ll be on standby eagerly awaiting updates from their days viewing and climbing glaciers, hoping that little paw prints lead our crew to their fictional friend.
Alps Explorer (AX)
After an incredible 11 days on the Tour du Mont Blanc, this crew finished out their noble quest with a victorious last 17 km (10.56 mile) push. Celebratory mustaches seem only fitting for this caliber of accomplishment. And what better way to end this fantastic journey than to glimpse the outline of a fabled sky bison on the edge of the cloud line with its Avatar companion congratulating our AXers from high above on its back?! Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but we think Appa would love flying in the Alps with the brisk clean air against his fur, following our group’s progress from their TMB finish to their bus to Martigny.
Iceland Mountains & Coast (IMC)
By now you’re probably quite familiar with the Icelandic splendor our IMCers experience on a daily basis. After three gorgeous days of hikes, puffin sightings, and hot springs, our IMCers leave Vik behind for the breathtaking sights of Skaftafell National Park. Here our crew will tackle more sublime trails and even climb on a glacier in the days to come. Today is primarily transit, but who can complain when these are the views from your window? Especially if there’s a dark, green-eyed friend greeting you into the park with graceful loops in the sky, surfing on the wind. Perhaps Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon) will even grant them a gummy smile as they embark on their first day hike!
Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)
A platypus? PERRY the platypus?! It only makes sense that Perry would want to be where the action’s act: MCCE. Yesterday MCCEers got settled in and enjoyed their first Maine sunset on the coast together as a group. Today was our crew’s first writing workshop before an awesome swim and picnic – to throw Dr. Doofenshmirtz off the trail of course – before more scheming (college essay writing). Who will become the architects of tomorrow? Dr. Doofenshmirtz wants to know (and maybe try and steal their plans). Luckily, this crew’s got a lot of brain power and one pretty spunky platypus detective on their side.
Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)
WOOHOO!!!! Backcountry day 1! Today our DEXers embark on a 3-day backcountry journey on the famed Appalachian Trail (AT). That means no blog pictures for the next few days, but we’ll do our best to bring you there with words regardless. Picture gorgeous green foliage as far as the eye can see, with rivers, lakes, and streams spread throughout to complement the voluminous mountains. Tonight our crew heads to their first AT campsite with a phenomenal view of fresh spring water popping up around them! They may even make a new trail friend or two *queue slightly ominous giggling*. DEX knows what it means to be silly and make the most of some pretty awesome circumstances, which is why we think Stitch (from Lilo and Stitch) would make a great buddy for this adventurous crew!
New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)
Who wants to go on a walk in the woods? There are waterfalls, streams, bridges, and hiking galore! Today is our NEMCers’ first full day in the White Mountains, and boy did they have a day. After cooling off in the waterfall spray, our crew explored winding trails with great trail games and enthusiasm. See for yourself just how these precious hikers are hitting the trail below! With all of their happy-go-lucky trail time, we figured their companion would have to be content on long walks and excited about inviting their friends to play games. That is why Derpy Tiger from Kpop Demon Hunters makes the perfect trail buddy. And who doesn’t like to snuggle up with a furry friend after a long day hitting the trail?
Pyrenees Mountains & Coast (PMC)
Previously in this trip, you may have noticed that there was a bit more emphasis on the Coast part of the Pyrenees Mountains and Coast trip title. That changes today as our crew begins the Carros de Foc (Catalan for “Chariots of Fire”) 5-day loop in Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. The national park is known for its many streams and lakes; judging from some pretty epic photos below, we’d venture to say they found a few! Enjoying his view from their shoulders, we have deemed their fictitious companion to be the one and only Pascal (chameleon from Tangled). Because Pascal is just as down for an exciting adventure as our PMCers!
Vermont to Montreal (VM)
You know who likes to move it move it? Our VMers on their bikes. Today we’ve decided that our VMers and Mort share a destination. Mort is convinced that King Julian is hiding out in Montreal, and our gracious bikers offered him a spot bungee-strapped to a pannier. Don’t worry, we’re confident they can handle it given all of their flexing blog pictures. Besides, they only have one more biking day after today (and Mort REALLY liked the waterpark campground vibes)! They’re really moo-ving along (sorry, had to). What’s another 37 miles tomorrow with a lemur included in their awesome company?
