Tourists entered the O Circuit without guidance because no rangers monitored the area and forecasts proved unreliable. Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia receives up to 300,000 visitors yearly, and many attempt its famous treks. On 17 November, a sudden blizzard struck the O Circuit and killed five trekkers while leaving dozens trapped in whiteout conditions for hours. The storm exposed long-standing concerns about safety practices in Patagonia’s parks, an issue that critics have raised repeatedly in recent years.
How the Blizzard Overwhelmed the Group
A group of about 30 international hikers left Los Perros campsite between 5 and 7 am on 17 November, aiming to cross John Garner Pass. Light rain and moderate winds greeted them at first, but the weather worsened rapidly as they climbed. Visibility dropped to a few metres by late morning, and winds intensified far beyond predictions. The O Circuit spans up to 140 kilometres and circles the entire massif, making it one of Patagonia’s toughest treks.
Shortly after 10 am, the group faced horizontal snow, powerful gusts and a total loss of visibility. They reached the exposed upper section of John Garner Pass, and the storm split the group as some tried to retreat while others continued upward, unaware of the storm’s speed. Heavy snow, freezing temperatures and the lack of natural shelter trapped several hikers. 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’s worst phase.
Growing Scrutiny of Park Management
Survivors said they received no clear warnings about the danger at John Garner Pass. Camp staff described the forecast as normal and reported only moderate winds, and officials kept the route open despite deteriorating conditions. Many hikers later criticised the park’s slow response once the blizzard intensified. Survivors claimed no officials coordinated an evacuation and that stranded hikers organised the first rescue attempts themselves. CONAF oversees Torres del Paine’s trails, including the O Circuit, and holds responsibility for monitoring weather, controlling access and issuing closures. Official guidance instructs hikers to check in with rangers and follow their alerts.
Rangers should monitor trail conditions during high season, but survivors reported no ranger presence near the pass during the storm. Without professionals assessing the conditions or closing the route, visitors assumed the trail remained safe. Many rangers were off duty to vote in Chile’s 2025 presidential election on 16 November, which sharply reduced staffing. CONAF confirmed the absence of rangers in the Los Perros and John Garner Pass sector on that day and noted that only about 51 staff members worked in the park overall.
Staff shortages threaten to become routine. Chile’s national park system has struggled for years, and in 2025 the country recorded only 450 highly trained rangers for 13.2 million hectares of protected land. A 2018 Lincoln Institute report stated that many protected areas operate with tiny CONAF teams, often fewer than five employees. Thousands of CONAF workers joined a nationwide strike in June 2025 over resource shortages and administrative issues. Across the border in Argentina, local sources reported that rangers were resigning in large numbers due to problems linked to changes in the national park administration under President Javier Milei.
