The "Cruce" by the Runners

by Ruben Ocampo
I ran three previous Cruce de los Andes. Each year I lived a different experience, I meet new people, and each challenge is different. This year I had the support of the Quest Patagonia Travel and Adventures team. They supported us every moment during the race and paid attention to every little detail. The Quest team had the camp site ready for their 2 teams, so our only worries was to run and have fun.

The first day of the competition (35km) was the hardest of the three, and it was time to evaluate my physical condition against the other competitors. The places where we ran the first stage were amazing, cross country roads, and ran through a rosa mosqueta forest, we also ran on the shores of the lake Lolog. Then later we confront the hardest part of the first stage which was the up hill to the summit of Cerro Nalca at 1700 meters, the view was incredible. The most emotional moment of this stage was the support of my team mate Joseph (Joe Moerschbaecher) and coming through the arches of the finish line. The time of our first stage was 4hr and 5m. he second day started around 10am (28km). It was a pleasure feeling the breeze of the valley, and the perfume of the grasses all around us. We knew that this stage was going to be fast. We ran on the shores of the lake Lacar, and we finally arrived at the shores of the lake NonTué a beautiful place surrounded by trees and incredible beaches. It was a stage full of emotions for everybody specially for Joe and I, and also for the team Quest which was waiting for us at the finish line. After the race we had a nice swim in the lake, and it was very refreshing for all the competitors. 1hr 25m

The third day started very early in the morning 5am. I was very anxious to start the last stage. To me, it was the most beautiful, where runners even though tired could see the beautiful landscapes of the Andes, we crossed an amazing waterfall, where we got something to drink, we ran in places not accessible to tourists, where nature is still virgin. 2hr 10

The camping places were really beautiful, and part of the experience was to be able to chat with other runners from different places.

It was a great experince running with Joe. It was tough for the 2 of us, but it was a pleasure running with him, and also thank you to the Quest Patagonia team for all their support.

by Julia Pollock
The moment that I stepped off of the plane, any worries that I had about racing in a foreign country in which I didn’t speak the language immediately disappeared as I saw the smiles that waited to greet me upon my arrival. I had expected to be picked up at the airport, but I hadn’t expected to be welcomed with such warm enthusiasm and happiness by the staff of Quest Patagonia - it was like a homecoming rather than an arrival.

While Quest Patagonia helped us to prepare for the race, I met my racing partner, Laureano, and, despite the language barrier, we instantly became friends. A short run together and I was convinced that we would be great teammates. As each day passed, my excitement for the race grew. Upon arrival in San Martin de los Andes for the pre-race briefing, I was able to appreciate all that Quest Patagonia had already done for us and would be doing over the next few days. Those teams without support crews were busy loading gear boxes with tents, sleeping bags, food and other items they would need for camping during the race. Transported by race management, each racer would have to set their own camps each night after the run – a task that is logistically exhausting after already being physically worn out. For both Quest Patagonia Teams I and II, we would not only have camp already set for us, but a hot meal (and more smiling faces) as well.

In the end, I may not be able to speak the language of Argentina, but I gained a new understanding of the universal language of athletic competition. Sports have the ability to transcend borders and to bring people together through a common goal. Quest Patagonia Travel & Adventures not only organized the perfect experience for the racers, but they also provided the logistical and, more importantly, the emotional support that made this event so successful. Every detail was given careful attention and carried out with genuine enthusiasm. Their compassion and generosity was incredible, and I doubt that I could an equal anywhere else in the world.

by Joe Moerschbaecher
"The support and assistance given to us by Quest Patagonia during the Cruce De Los Andes race was exceptional and critical to our teams success in the race. Unlike most other teams who had to set up their camps and prepare their own food after completeing the day's race; the Quest team had our camp site prepared and food cooked as we finished the race each day. This allowed our team to focus on eating and recovering in a relaxing environment, instead of setting up tents and starting stoves."

by Laureano Cabral
Although I've been running road marathons and adventure races for some years, this was the first time I had the chance to participate in a 3 day adventure race like "Crossing the Andes". This race was also my first experience on a co-ed team. I had the opportunity to run with a young and excellent runner from the USA: Julia Pollock.

The Race: Running the Cruce de los Andes was a great experience. In addition to running for 3 days (30 km each) through trails of different levels of difficulty, we had time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the cordillera of the Andes!
Julia, my teammate: She impressed me from the very beginning because of her strength and spirit! Although Julia speaks little spanish, and I do not speak english, we could understand each other well. Once again, we proved that the passion for a sport helps people to understand each other beyond any barrier of language. Julia knows that I really enjoyed running with her, and that it was a pleasure for me to have her as my teammate.

The staff of Quest Patagonia, took care of basically everything. They were in charge of all the details, such as driving us all to the starting line, andback to Villa La Angostura after the finish. They had the camping ready every day; they prepared our food, and they even gave us mate! We basically only had to run, and everything else was taken care of!

We shared this experience with Joe Moerschbaecher and Ruben Ocampo (Team Quest Patagonia I), and I am sure that this was a great experience for all four of us!