A group of tourists began the O Circuit trek despite worsening weather and no park rangers present.
Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, deep in icy Patagonia, welcomes 250,000 to 300,000 visitors annually. Thousands aim to complete the park’s iconic trekking routes. On 17 November, a sudden blizzard struck the O Circuit trail. Five trekkers died, and dozens became stranded in whiteout conditions for hours.
Although the disaster arose from extreme weather, it revealed weaknesses in park safety and emergency management.
The Blizzard and Its Impact
Around 30 international trekkers left Los Perros campsite before dawn on 17 November, planning to cross John Garner Pass. The morning started with light rain and moderate winds, typical for the area, but conditions deteriorated quickly at higher elevations. By late morning, visibility dropped to a few meters, and winds surged far beyond forecasts, forcing many hikers off the trail.
The O Circuit, also called the Paine Massif Circuit, loops 130–140 km around the massif. It ranks among Patagonia’s most challenging routes.
By 10 am, trekkers faced near-horizontal snow, violent gusts, and complete loss of visibility atop John Garner Pass. Storms split the group as some turned back while others pressed onward, unaware of the blizzard’s intensity.
Heavy snow, freezing temperatures, and lack of shelter trapped several hikers. Five died: Mexican couple Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julian Garcia Pimentel, German couple Nadine Lichey and Andreas von Pein, and British trekker Victoria Bond. Rescue teams later found them near the pass’s high, exposed sections.
Gaps in Safety and Ranger Oversight
Survivors said the park gave no clear warnings about worsening conditions. Camp staff reported only moderate winds and described the weather as “normal,” while the route stayed open despite danger.
Park officials responded slowly. Stranded hikers organized initial rescues themselves because no trained personnel were nearby. CONAF, Chile’s National Forestry Corporation, oversees trail monitoring, access control, and issuing closures.
High-season protocols assign rangers to monitor conditions, advise hikers, and control access. But no rangers patrolled the critical Los Perros–John Garner Pass sector during the storm. Visitors assumed the trail was safe without official guidance.
Staff shortages contributed to the absence. Many rangers were off duty to vote in the 16 November Chilean presidential election, halving park personnel. Reports confirmed only 51 staff worked across the park, far below what’s needed.
Staffing issues persist: Chile’s national park system had just 450 highly qualified rangers for 13.2 million hectares as of 2025. Some protected areas operate with fewer than five employees, while nationwide strikes highlight administrative and resource problems. On the Argentine side of Patagonia, rangers have been resigning under new government policies.
