Tourists attempted the demanding O Circuit despite worsening weather because no rangers blocked access or issued new warnings.
Torres del Paine National Park receives up to 300,000 visitors each year, many aiming for its famous trekking routes.
A sudden blizzard hit the O Circuit on 17 November, killing five hikers and stranding dozens in whiteout conditions for hours.
The tragedy exposed long-standing concerns about park safety procedures in Patagonia.
How the Disaster Unfolded
Around 30 international hikers left Los Perros campsite before dawn on 17 November, hoping to cross John Garner Pass.
Light rain and moderate winds greeted them, but conditions deteriorated sharply as they gained elevation.
By late morning, visibility fell to metres as winds exceeded forecasts and created complete whiteout conditions.
The O Circuit covers roughly 130 to 140 kilometres and ranks among Patagonia’s hardest treks.
Near 10 am, the blizzard intensified with horizontal snow, violent gusts and total loss of visibility on the exposed upper pass.
The group split as some tried to turn back while others climbed higher, unaware of how fast the storm strengthened.
With heavy snow, freezing temperatures and no shelter, several hikers became trapped on the high pass.
Five died: Cristina Calvillo Tovar, Julian Garcia Pimentel, Nadine Lichey, Andreas von Pein and Victoria Bond.
Survivors later found their bodies near the top of the route, where severe wind and cold made descent impossible.
Questions Over Safety and Staffing
Survivors reported receiving no clear warnings about the worsening conditions on John Garner Pass.
Camp workers told hikers to expect only moderate winds, describing the forecast as typical for the region.
Officials kept the route open even as signs of severe weather appeared.
When the blizzard struck, trekkers said no staff arrived quickly to coordinate evacuation efforts.
Stranded hikers organised the first rescues themselves without guidance from trained personnel.
CONAF oversees access, monitoring and closures on routes inside Torres del Paine, including the O Circuit.
Official advice instructs hikers to follow ranger guidance and check in at ranger posts for safety updates.
Survivors stated that no rangers monitored the dangerous pass when the storm hit.
Without on-site assessments or closure orders, many visitors believed the route remained safe.
Many rangers were reportedly away from the park to vote in Chile’s 2025 presidential election on 16 November.
CONAF confirmed that no rangers were present in the Los Perros–John Garner sector on the day of the storm.
Reports noted that only about 51 staff members worked across the entire park that day.
Chronic staffing shortages continue to affect CONAF, which has roughly 450 highly qualified rangers for 13.2 million hectares.
A 2018 policy report highlighted that many protected areas operate with tiny teams, sometimes fewer than five employees.
In June 2025, thousands of CONAF workers staged a nationwide strike over limited resources and administrative problems.
Across the border in Argentina, local sources reported that rangers resigned in large numbers due to issues with the new park administration under Javier Milei.
