Day 8: This....Is....Apogee! - Apogee Adventures

With your hosts, the New England Support Staff! While our trips in the field can’t watch “Jeopardy!” to learn fun facts, you certainly can. We’ve got trips hiking, biking, surfing, climbing, and exploring in some of the coolest places in the world. Why not learn something new while looking at your students’ smiling faces? We’ll take “Epic Summer Adventures” for 2,000, please, Alex!

Skip to a Specific Trip: MCJ, CI, NEMC, CRM, CS, MCCE, DEX, VMA, VMB, CRMC, CMCA, CMCB, AKMCA, AKMCB, NWX, PC, AXA, AXB, ECC1, ECC2, PMC

Maine Coast Junior (MCJ)

500 points are up for taking if you can tell us how many miles of coastline the great state of Maine has. If you said 3,478 then you hit the nail right on the head! Way to go! Maine Coast Junior wrapped up an amazing 7 days of hiking, sea kayaking, biking and connecting with local communities today. Hugs and farewells took place while the kids loaded up and headed home, full of stories and memories from the past week.

Sadly with all the hustle and bustle of packing no photos were taken before the students were on their way home.

Cape Cod & the Islands (CI)

For 100 points, what is famously knowing as the “Giant Fishhook of Land” in the United States… Cape Cod! With some sprinkles of rain, the group headed to a local laundromat to get some clean clothes for the rest of their trip (For 50 points, who was most excited about this venture? Yep, you guessed it — the leaders!). The group, smelling delectably, crushed a great day on the bikes that landed them in Wellfleet for the night.

New England Mountains & Coast (NEMC)

While unfortunately some raining balls of ice (aka hail) did prevent this hearty NEMC crew from completing their challenge day up Mount Washington, we are offering 200 points to who can guess what can stop this group from having fun…. the answer? Nothing! Nothing can stop this group from having fun! That is why NEMC stayed safe from the hail in the AMC Highland Center at Pinkham notch where they talked with other hikers waiting out the storm. Our young hikers learned all about the Appalachian trail and listened to other trail warriors impart their wisdom. Once the storm cleared and the sun peeked over the Valley, the group took a hike to Glen Ellis Falls, where they witnessed a 64ft waterfall with water flowing at 600 gallons per second. In the profound words of one of the students: “That’s some wild stuff”.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains (CRM)

For 50 points, this is the highest national park in the United States. Spot on if you said it is Rocky Mountain National Park, where these high altitude students are currently residing. These lucky campers have seen an impressive 7 moose so far on their trip!! (This is more moose that our Assistant Director Andi saw while living in Colorado for 6 years (These sightings speak volumes to the recovering moose population in Colorado)). On their hike today, the group ended up at Mills Lake where they had lunch while taking in the spectacular mountain views.

Caribbean Service (CS)

For 300 points, Puerto Rico has _____ miles of beaches. “What is 300 miles of beach” is the correct answer! That’s a lot of room for surfing! What time did this group wake up to start their adventure today? CS was up and at ‘em today at an extraordinarily early hour to drive over to Rincon for their first surfing lesson. Not only did they have a wonderful time on the sandy, warm beaches — but every single student was able to stand up on their surfboard today! After surfing the waves, this group craved some more aquatic adventures, so they headed over to a local beach where they swam around before having a picnic lunch on the beach. After filling their bellies, the group headed back for their last night in Utuado. Sounds like some fun in the sun!

Maine Coast College Essay (MCCE)

For 200 points, this person built the yurts that housed our MCCE students for the past week. If you said Bob Crowley, 2008 winner of the television show “Survivor”, the points would be yours! At 57, he was the oldest contestant to ever win the show! Today was sadly pick up day for MCCE. This group has made lots of memories and friends this week. Even last night, they got to enjoy a final jam session in the fading light of the coastal sunset. We wish these young writers the best of luck in their college adventures – we are cheering you on over here in Brunswick, ME!

Maine’s Downeast Explorer (DEX)

For 200 points, this is one of three triple crown trails that the DEX trip would have hiked on today. Points go to anyone who said the Appalachian Trail! On their second day in the backcountry, DEX will have hiked on a section of the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. Along the way, these travelers will be dipping their toes in the babbling brooks and taking in the serene simplicity of the backcountry. I know everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting to see the photos they have to share as they emerge from the backcountry tomorrow.

Vermont to Montreal A (VMA)

For 400 points, this lake is home to the oldest fossil reef in the world. If you said Lake Champlain then you nailed it! Legend has it that there is a creature that remains in the lake almost 500 million years later… Our VM groups will be keeping a sharp eye out for “Champ,” the lake monster and unofficial mascot said to live in Lake Champlain. While keeping an eye out for this slippery sea monster, our bikers completed 28 miles today – their longest ride yet! The group is building excitement as they look forward to the next few days of biking, kayaking, and service projects along Lake Champlain!

Vermont to Montreal B (VMB)

300 points to anyone that can name the origins of the name Vermont. Bingo! It is originally from the French words for “green” (“vert”) and “mountain” (mont). Oh boy, VMB sure did fact check this on their bike trip today! Over the mountains and through the woods to Middlebury they went, zooming through 17 miles of greenery and rolling hills! After arriving in Middlebury, the group got to enjoy games and swimming in the nearby river. Apparently there will not only be fireworks at tonight’s campground, but also s’mores! (We received this message followed by over 10 exclamation points – we cannot tell who is more excited for these special treats, the leaders or the students… or us!)

Costa Rica Mountains & Coast (CRMC)

For 300 points, this country is 28% national park. You Nailed it! Roughly 28% of Costa Rica’s Land is preserved in National Parks or Preserves. For 500 more points, _____ percent of global biodiversity is within Costa Rica. Amazingly, it is 6%! Our CRMC folks have been out exploring the incredibly biodiverse rainforests and swimming in outstanding waterfalls. We wish them clear skies and hope that they can have a chance to dry out a little over dinner.

California Mountains & Coast A (CMCA)

For 200 points, this tree is known to be found in Yosemite National Park. Answer: the Giant Sequoia. Our CMCA trip has been hiking around (and even through) some of these incredible trees today. They were also able to soak up some views of the iconic Half Dome. They have been practicing carrying backpacks for their upcoming backpacking section!

California Mountains & Coast B (CMCB)

Rise and shine CMCB… Yosemite awaits! This group woke up early to a delicious, classic breakfast which this group has affectionately coined as “PBBB” (10,000 points if you can figure out what that acronym means because we cannot). After carbo loading, the group headed out to Yosemite for their day hike. Here they saw huge trees and colorful flowers lining their path. (Editor’s note: We simply couldn’t omit from the blog that one of our writers today revealed that for years and years, they pronounced Yosemite as “Yoz-might”. And now we are all having a hard time unseeing the word as such!) The park supports more than 400 different species, and approximately 75% of the park’s visitors come between the months of May and October. Life sounds pretty swell for CMCB!

Alaska Mountains & Coast A (AKMCA)

300 points if you can name the 4th largest state park in the United States. WOW! You nailed it – it is the Chugach State Park! AKMCA is crushing it, folks! They are two days into their SECOND backcountry section in Chugach State Park! Wowzer. Today the group hiked around the incredible Williwaw Lakes. It’s known for rugged topography, glaciers, and ample wildlife sightings! We’ll cross our fingers that our AKMC crew can spot a mountain goat while they are out.

Alaska Mountains & Coast B (AKMCB)

500 points for naming the ice field in Alaska that is about the same size as Rhode Island. Points go to anyone who said the Harding Icefield. AKMC B is on the Harding Icefield today as they explore the Exit Glacier. The trip was ice climbing and glacier touring today! These lucky adventurers were still out when the blog went to the press, but here’s a late addition photo for those of you checking the blog a bit later!

Northwest Explorer (NWX)

For 300 points, this is the wettest forest in the United States with more than 200 inches of rainfall each year. Correct! It is the Hoh River valley where the NWX trip is heading into the backcountry. Before heading out, their leader Ben gave a demonstration on how to pack a backpack and the crew miraculously fit everything in their packs (On the first try!). While driving, massive pines tickled the sky all around them, and those who napped along the way awoke to beams of light shooting through the branches. This group will take in some of the incredible views that this valley has to offer over their next couple days in the backcountry. We can’t wait until they are out to see all the incredible pictures they take. Bonus 300 points for naming the type of animal that was removed from Olympic National Park by helicopter. It was the Mountain Goat! Olympic National Park had the Heli Assisted Goat Lift that took place in 2018. (You can learn about it here: Mountain goats being airlifted out of Olympic National Park.)

Pacific Coast (PC)

Today, PC biked 38 miles through some quintessential Oregon scenery to Humbug Mountain. A few miles into today’s ride they stopped at what they dubbed, “a sweet beach town” called Bandon. Here the group saw wide, open oceans (Anyone get the reference to The Chicks song, “Wide Open Spaces”? 50 points if so). Here they saw huge waves splashing against the shoreline rocks, and the group also found some “beach tents”! Sounds like PC is continuing to make a big splash!

Alps Explorer A (AXA)

For 50 points, this is the largest glacier in the Alps. If you said, “What is Aletsch Glacier?” you would be correct! Their morning started with a ride in a beautiful cable car through a tunnel to their hike on Aletsch Glacier. In the words of Tommy, “It was an ~epic time~ on the Aletsch.” Fun fact: if the Aletsch Glacier melted, it could supply every single person on Earth with a liter of water every day for 4.5 years. (I’ll give you 100 points just for reading that fact). After their gorgeous, icy, 10 mile climb, they ended the hike in the village of Bettmeralp, where they relaxed, ate some food and got ready for another exquisite day in the Alps tomorrow!

Alps Explorer B (AXB)

50 points if you can guess what AXB is starting today…. Okay I can’t wait any longer, it’s the first day of the Tour du Mont Blanc — woohoo! 50 points for you! It is the beginning of an epic, 11 day hike catching glimpses of incredible vistas, eating delectable food, meeting friendly farm animals, and taking in all Switzerland, France, and Italy have to offer. This group began with a bus ride to Trient where they began their hike! Today’s hike highlights included the group’s first views of the world-famous Mont Blanc and a visit to the iconic Pink Church.

Europe Coast to Coast 1 (ECC1)

For 300 points, name the country in which bicycles outnumber people 23:17…. aaandddd…. it’s The Netherlands! Our ECC trip is fitting right in and embracing the cycling-friendly culture as they bike through the Dutch countryside. Today as they biked, they passed through the storybook villages outside of Holland (truly, check out the pictures online, it’s right out of a fairytale! Well, I suppose Apogee trips are fairytales in their own right…) After taking in the village views, they traveled from land to sea, biking along long stretches of beach and breathing in the cool, sea breeze. We can’t wait to see what the next chapter of this fairytale adventure will bring.

Europe Coast to Coast 2 (ECC2)

For 100 points, this is the coldest sea on earth… Bingo! It is the North Sea! Good thing these bikers didn’t take a tumble into the water today on their ride… BRRR! However, ECC2 did get some great views of the North Sea today on their flat, coastal ride in the Netherlands today. This was ECC2’s first day of riding and by the looks of it, they are ready to conquer many more miles with more incredible views in the days to come!

Pyrenees Mountains and Coast (PMC)

Walking down the cobblestone streets surrounded by medieval architecture and the occasional historic cannon, it is easy to imagine you’ve traveled back in time to the days when pirates frequented these waters… While the days of pirate ships are long gone, our PMC crew is proving themselves to be a pretty hearty bunch themselves! Today this group hiked on the high plateaus above Port de la Selva — a small fishing village dating back to 974. Here the group took in the incredible turquoise waters and beaches while exploring the local culture. We are looking forward to seeing what memories these pirates are going to be adding to their treasure chest tomorrow.