The statue was built in 1904 to celebrate the peaceful end of a border dispute. The pass was the original way into Chile before they built the tunnel 1980 and is the way that San Martin entered Chile on his way to Santiago. I must admit I didn't really enjoy the drive up there, as you climb higher through the switchbacks the landscape is barren and it looks like there have been landslides in the past. Fortunately we didn't meet anyone coming the other way as passing in some places would have been a little hairy and I was in a 4x4! At the top are the old border posts of both countries, there was also a shop but it was closed and it was very windy. Only one other car was up there so it is not that popular, I can't see a big bus getting up there as the switchbacks are too tight, maybe a minibus could do it. Personally I wouldn't like to do it in the rain either! If you are in that part of the world, have a car, and it's a nice day it's effeminately something to do.

We hit a dirt road and started winding around corners fairly quickly and it continued for what felt like another 20-30 minutes. We had some motorcyclists in front of us who lost it on the corners in the sand but quickly got up and were going. Once we reached the top, it was cold, windy and there were a few tourist shops and some amazing views. I don't quite understand why a statue was placed here but the historic border between Chile and Argentina is a great spot to visit and soak up some amazing mount views. This was part of my full day "Montana" trip from Mendoza.