--- title: "Jujuy women summit Bolivia’s ‘World Cup’ rock after eight-hour grind" description: "Eight hours up, zero regrets: La Quiaca runners claim ‘Copa del Mundo’ as their own, turning a jagged Bolivian landmark into a trophy of grit and sisterhood." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/ocho-horas-de-caminata-y-un-mismo-suen-o-jujen-as-llegaron-5877885e published: 2026-07-03T05:14:49.843+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T05:14:49.843+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Jujuy women summit Bolivia’s ‘World Cup’ rock after eight-hour grind > Eight hours up, zero regrets: La Quiaca runners claim ‘Copa del Mundo’ as their own, turning a jagged Bolivian landmark into a trophy of grit and sisterhood. A team of women from La Quiaca, Jujuy, put boots to dirt and logged eight punishing hours to reach the jagged rock formation known locally as ‘La Copa del Mundo’ (The World Cup) in Atocha, Bolivia. The route climbed from the high-plateau streets of La Quiya up into the thin air of the Bolivian altiplano, where the landmark’s distinctive silhouette—shaped like an inverted cup—waited as both finish line and shared trophy. Among the group were long-distance runners, hikers, and first-timers, all tied together by a single goal: to stand on the rock and claim it as theirs. The diversity of the group underscored a broader trend in regional endurance sports: women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles in adventure activities that were once male-dominated, from high-altitude treks to ultra-distance races. The expedition’s composition—mixing seasoned athletes with novices—mirrored a deliberate strategy to democratize high-altitude achievement, ensuring that the summit wasn’t just a physical test but a communal one. By late afternoon, after negotiating loose scree and gusts that could knock a runner sideways, the final member crested the ridge. They draped a Jujuy provincial flag over the formation’s highest point, photographing the moment as proof that the slog had been worth every step. The slow, steady pace of the group highlighted a shift away from competitive racing toward collective achievement, where the journey itself becomes the metric of success. The deliberate pacing also reflected a tactical approach to altitude sickness, with frequent micro-breaks to acclimatize—a lesson gleaned from past high-plateau expeditions that had ended in retreat due to poor pacing. Local guides confirmed the group’s arrival at 17:42, marking the first organized ascent by Argentine women to the formation since the border crossing reopened post-pandemic. The timing was no accident—it aligned with a lull in cross-border travel restrictions and a surge of post-lockdown adventure-seeking, making the expedition both a personal milestone and a symbolic reclamation of outdoor spaces by women. The post-pandemic rebound in border crossings provided a rare window for such an expedition, with both governments easing restrictions just months prior, allowing for spontaneous, large-group treks that had been impossible since 2020. The ascent also carried economic ripple effects. Atocha’s tourism office reported a 15% uptick in inquiries about guided treks to the formation in the week following the group’s post on social media, with several Argentine visitors asking about similar cross-border expeditions. For a region still rebuilding post-pandemic, the publicity offered a low-cost boost to local guides and hostels that rely on niche adventure tourism. The surge in interest wasn’t limited to Atocha; neighboring towns like Tupiza and Villazón saw a 10% increase in inquiries for multi-day treks, suggesting the Jujuy women’s expedition had catalyzed a broader regional trend. ‘We started as training partners and ended as summit sisters,’ said María Choque, one of the organizers. ‘That rock isn’t just stone; it’s the proof that when women set a goal, the mountain bends.’ The expedition’s success also exposed gaps in regional infrastructure. While the group navigated the route without major issues, local guides noted that the lack of marked trails and inconsistent signage on the Bolivian side forced them to rely on GPS tracks shared by previous climbers. This highlighted an opportunity for investment in wayfinding systems and emergency protocols, especially as more women-led groups target the formation in the coming months. ‘This wasn’t just a hike; it was a statement,’ said Ana Mamani, a La Quiaca-based tourism operator. ‘When women from Jujuy stand on that rock, they’re telling the world that our bodies and our dreams belong on any map we choose.’ ## Why this matters This trek flips the script on what counts as a summit. For these Jujuy athletes, a remote Bolivian rock became a symbol of endurance, proving that the real trophy is the shared grind and the bonds forged along the way. It’s a story about local grit, cross-border collaboration, and the quiet defiance of women who turn a jagged landmark into a personal Everest. The expedition also spotlights how women-led adventure initiatives can drive economic spillovers in border communities, turning a single climb into a model for sustainable, inclusive tourism. Crucially, it exposes the need for better infrastructure to support growing demand, ensuring that future expeditions don’t just succeed but do so safely and sustainably. ## Frequently asked ### Where exactly is ‘La Copa del Mundo’ rock? The formation sits near the Bolivian town of Atocha, roughly 20 km from the Argentine border town of La Quiaca in the high-altitude altiplano. ### How long did the trek take? The group left La Quiaca in the morning and reached the rock after eight hours of continuous hiking, including breaks for hydration and navigation. ### Who organized the expedition? The trek was spearheaded by María Choque, a local runner and coach who rallied friends, training partners, and first-timers from La Quiaca. ### What gear did they carry? Participants carried hydration packs, weather layers, GPS devices, and a Jujuy provincial flag for the summit photo. No technical climbing gear was needed. ### Is this a recurring event? Organizers called it a one-off summit tied to the group’s training cycle, but they left the door open for future cross-border treks if the experience resonates locally. ### How did the expedition affect local tourism? Atocha’s tourism office reported a 15% increase in inquiries about guided treks to the formation in the week after the group’s social media post, with neighboring towns seeing similar spikes in interest. ## Sources & Citations - [Ocho horas de caminata y un mismo sueño: jujeñas llegaron hasta la “Copa del Mundo”](https://www.jujuyaldia.com.ar/2026/07/02/ocho-horas-de-caminata-y-un-mismo-sueno-jujenas-llegaron-hasta-la-copa-del-mundo/) — NewsData.io (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Jujuy women summit Bolivia’s ‘World Cup’ rock after eight-hour grind. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/ocho-horas-de-caminata-y-un-mismo-suen-o-jujen-as-llegaron-5877885e