Cerro de las Tortolas

Description

Cerro de las Tortolas lie east of La Serena on the Chile-Argentina border. It rises approximately 9,000 feet above its base on the Chilean side. The west face is the most spectacular and the most difficult side to climb. There are a variety of routes up the west side, all starting from a dirt road which parallels the range. A spur road zigzags its way north of the peak to Tortolas Pass at about 16,000 feet. Most routes on the mountain are steep scrambles.

On the summit is a monument to Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral. Local Indian people have climbed the mountain and lit fires on the summit. There was a supply of firewood on the summit in 1994.

Thanks to Earl Redman for this description.