A lack of park rangers and inaccurate forecasts led tourists to hike the O Circuit despite worsening weather.
Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, deep in icy Patagonia, draws 250,000–300,000 visitors yearly. Thousands attempt its famous 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.
Though the storm caused the tragedy, it exposed weaknesses in Patagonia’s park safety systems and sparked widespread criticism.
The Blizzard Strikes the O Circuit
About 30 international trekkers left Los Perros campsite between 5 and 7 a.m. on 17 November to cross John Garner Pass. Rain and moderate winds started the day, but conditions worsened quickly at higher altitudes. By late morning, visibility dropped to a few meters, and strong winds created dangerous whiteout conditions, disorienting many hikers.
The O Circuit, also called the Paine Massif Circuit, spans 130–140 km around the massif. It ranks among Patagonia’s most challenging trails.
By 10 a.m., the trekkers faced horizontal snow, fierce gusts, and near-zero visibility. They had reached the upper, exposed section of John Garner Pass above the treeline. The group split as some turned back while others pressed forward, unaware of how fast the storm intensified.
Harsh conditions—deep snow, freezing temperatures, and no natural shelter—trapped several hikers. Five did not survive: 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 the bodies near the top of the pass.
Safety Failures and Ranger Absence
Survivors reported that officials did not provide clear or timely warnings. Camp staff claimed the forecast predicted moderate winds, which they described as normal, and the trail stayed open despite visible risks.
The park delayed its response once the storm struck. No personnel coordinated evacuation efforts, forcing stranded trekkers to conduct initial rescues themselves. CONAF, Chile’s National Forestry Corporation, manages trails, monitors conditions, and issues closures or warnings.
During high season, rangers normally monitor trail conditions, control access, and update hikers. Survivors said no rangers patrolled John Garner Pass during the blizzard. Without personnel to close the trail or assess risks, hikers assumed it was safe.
Ranger absence coincided with the 2025 Chilean presidential election on 16 November, reducing staff by about half. CONAF confirmed no rangers were present in the critical Los Perros / John Garner Pass area during the storm. Only 51 personnel were reportedly on site throughout the park that day.
Staff shortages may persist. Chile’s park system had just 450 highly qualified rangers for 13.2 million hectares as of 2025. A 2018 Lincoln Institute report noted many parks operated with very small CONAF teams, sometimes fewer than five employees. In June 2025, thousands of rangers joined a nationwide strike over administrative and resource issues.
On the Argentinian side, park rangers quit rapidly due to problems under the new national park administration, further illustrating regional staffing challenges.
