Cerro Los Gemelos

Overview

Cerro Los Gemelos is an extinct volcano having two summits with about 250 m of prominence. By the oft-used 400 m criterion for delineating entirely separate mountains, both are subsidiary peaks of Cerro Recluse to the south. Of the two, the north summit is taller by about 5 m (6135 m vs 6130 m).

Both summits are moderate scrambles, although the remoteness and high altitude of Los Gemelos adds considerably to the difficulty of an expedition. They can be accessed from the same system of roads and 4x4 trails as the other peaks around Corona del Inca.

Getting There

Cerro Los Gemelos is most easily reached from the south via RN-76 from Villa Union through Jagüé. From the road, a well-used 4x4 trail leads up to Corona del Inca. To the west of the caldera, these trails pass within about 4 km of the summits. Excellent backcountry skills and preparation will be needed to prevent and/or overcome any delays or breakdowns that occur out here; outside help will be a long time in coming. An alternate approach is possible using a mining road that departs RN-76 about 13 km east of the international border. Prominent 4x4 tracks depart from this mine road towards the pass between Los Gemelos and Pissis about 36 km north of RN-76. In either case, one will arrive at a similar base camp location northeast of the twin summits. RN-76 is most commonly driven from Argentina (i.e. from the east), but there is an international border crossing at Paso Pircas Negras that can facilitate an approach from Chile (i.e. from the west via C-35 out of Copiapó). The border outposts are generally open in the southern summer, but may close without much or any advance notice.

A cycling approach on a mountain bike or fat-tire bike is also possible using any of the aforementioned routes. 

The nearest major airports are La Rioja (IRJ) and Catamarca (CTC) in Argentina or Caldera/Copiapó airport (CPO) in Chile. Both nations have extensive bus networks, although service beyond Villa Union may be infrequent.

Route

An experienced scrambler will have little trouble finding a route to the top on any aspect of the mountain.

Starting from the vicinity of the large pond immediately northeast of Los Gemelos, the author's circuit of both peaks ascended and descended a prominent drainage due east of the south summit. From the top of this drainage, the route continued up the east face to reach the south summit itself after crossing through several moderately-sized snowfields. A steep scree descent was taken directly to the col, and the north summit was ascended and descended on a direct line on rocky slopes averaging 40°. Reaching both summits in a single push from base camp will be an 8-12 hour round-trip for most parties.

Red Tape

Depending on direction of approach and the type of vehicle used, the authorities in Argentina may require registration of your personal info at or after Jagüé. There may also be a small fee per person or per vehicle to access the Corona del Inca area. Particularly for solo or unguided climbers, you may also be requested to provide evidence of your competency and experience to travel safely at high altitudes.

When to Climb

Los Gemelos is arguably best as a summer climb; November through March will likely provide the best conditions. As with Pissis, Bonete, and the rest of the surrounding peaks, Los Gemelos can sometimes receive more precipitiation than climbers may be accustomed to for the more northerly Puna de Atacama mountains. Afternoon thunderstorms are not infrequent.

Camping

Camping is permitted at any location throughout the region. Water can generally be obtained from snowmelt or runoff, but may need to be treated to prevent water-borne illnesses. There are several multi-year snowfields around the base of Los Gemelos and elsewhere around Monte Pissis and Corona del Inca, so an attentive adventurer should have no trouble finding snow to melt provided they bring adequate fuel for the task.