Crossing the Andes: From Argentina to Chile on Foot 

Today was nothing short of extraordinary. The journey took me over Christo Redentor mountain pass because the main tunnel at this crossing isn’t open to pedestrians or cyclists, making it necessary to navigate a different route. This added both challenges and unforgettable moments to my day.

I started early, quietly packing my buggy and sipping on my usual cold instant coffee to avoid waking up the other dorm guests. The mountains delayed the daylight, but I was eager to get moving. I had two potential plans: stop at Las Cuevas to figure out how to transport my buggy through the tunnel, or go all the way over the mountain and make it to Portillo, Chile.

The first 15 miles to Las Cuevas were tough. At one point, I tried bypassing a tunnel by taking a steep gravel road. Big mistake! The path quickly became treacherous, and I found myself in a precarious situation—too steep and dangerous to go down, but also nearly impossible to push the buggy back up. Somehow, I mustered the strength to haul it back over rocks and uneven ground. That experience taught me that avoiding the tunnel would take more careful planning.

Just before reaching Las Cuevas, I was feeling worn out but determined. That’s when a car stopped, and Carlos, the driver, offered to help. He and his friends loaded my buggy onto their SUV and drove it up to Christo Redentor, the mountain pass at 3,800 meters above sea level. I couldn’t believe my luck! For the first time since starting my world run (aside from my flight to Argentina), I was running without my buggy.

I walked through the tunnel with just a headlamp, relieved to do it without the stress of pushing the buggy. On the other side, I stopped at a chocolatería near the entrance to the mountain pass. The kind people there had previously offered to help, and I made sure to thank them before starting my ascent.

Climbing Christo Redentor was breathtaking, both figuratively and literally. The steep, dusty climb at high altitude made my breathing heavy, especially with my nose still clogged from the night before. But without the buggy, I felt free and light, enjoying the mountain scenery and the challenge. Memories of climbing mountain passes on the Pacific Crest Trail came flooding back.

Near the summit, the SUV carrying my buggy passed by on its way back down. One of Carlos's friends even filmed me with a drone—an unexpected boost of encouragement! When I finally reached the top, I was overcome with emotion. Standing there, at the geographical border between Argentina and Chile, I felt immense gratitude for this journey and the privilege of experiencing such incredible moments.

After a quick coffee with Luciano, I began the descent—a 7-mile gravel road dropping 1,000 meters in elevation. Navigating the buggy down required intense focus to avoid tripping or twisting an ankle, but the stunning views made it all worthwhile. I soaked in every moment, savoring the achievement of crossing into Chile.

At the border control, the staff were thorough but kind, even taking a photo with me to commemorate the occasion. From there, I ran the final stretch to Portillo. The Hotel Portillo, perched above the beautiful Laguna del Inca, was a splurge, but I decided it was worth celebrating this milestone. After all, I’d crossed an entire country on foot!

That evening, I attended a symphony concert happening at the hotel, thanks to a music festival. Listening to the music with the breathtaking backdrop of the Andes felt like a dream. I finished the day with a well-deserved feast and reflected on how far I’ve come.

Tomorrow, I’ll leave later than usual—I can’t miss the included breakfast! For now, I’m savoring this incredible milestone and looking forward to what’s next.

Dream big, and keep moving forward. Wow, what a day.