Tourists entered the O Circuit without ranger guidance and faced worsening weather. Severe forecasting problems also pushed the group forward despite clear danger. Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia receives up to 300,000 visitors each year. Many travelers attempt its famous trekking routes. On 17 November, a violent blizzard hit the remote O Circuit and killed five trekkers while stranding dozens for hours. The storm revealed deeper concerns about park oversight and long-criticised safety practices.
How the Disaster Unfolded on the O Circuit
About 30 international trekkers began their hike before dawn on 17 November. They left Los Perros campsite between 5 and 7 am to cross John Garner Pass. Light rain and moderate winds greeted them at first, but conditions worsened quickly as they gained elevation. Visibility dropped to a few metres, and winds rose far beyond forecasts. The O Circuit runs 130 to 140 km around the entire massif and ranks among Patagonia’s toughest trails. After 10 am, the blizzard unleashed near-horizontal snow and violent gusts. Trekkers reached the exposed upper section of John Garner Pass, well above the treeline. As the storm intensified, the group split as some tried to retreat and others pushed ahead, unaware of the rapidly escalating danger. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures and no natural shelter trapped several hikers on the mountain. Five trekkers died: Mexican couple Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julian Garcia Pimentel, German couple Nadine Lichey and Andreas von Pein, and British hiker Victoria Bond. Survivors found them near the top of the pass after the storm eased.
Mounting Questions Over Safety and Staffing
Survivors said they received no clear warnings about the pass. Camp staff claimed the forecast showed only moderate winds, calling conditions “normal” for the area. Officials never closed the route despite worsening signs. Many also criticised the slow emergency response after conditions collapsed. No officials appeared to coordinate evacuation efforts, leaving stranded visitors to organise the first rescues themselves in whiteout conditions. CONAF, which manages Torres del Paine trails, carries responsibility for monitoring weather, controlling access and issuing closures. Official advice instructs trekkers to follow ranger guidance and check in at stations for safety updates. Yet survivors reported no rangers near John Garner Pass when the storm hit. Their absence left hikers believing the route remained safe. Ranger shortages worsened because many staff were off duty to vote in the 2025 Chilean presidential election on 16 November. CONAF confirmed no rangers were stationed in the Los Perros–John Garner sector on the day of the storm. Reports indicated only about 51 personnel were inside the park that day. Staffing problems continue to affect Chile’s national parks. As of 2025, only 450 highly trained rangers serve 13.2 million hectares of protected land. A 2018 Lincoln Institute report noted that many parks in Patagonia operate with fewer than five employees. In June 2025, thousands of CONAF workers joined a nationwide strike over mismanagement and lack of resources. Across the border in Argentina, local sources reported mass ranger resignations linked to administrative changes under Javier Milei’s government.
