A lack of park staff and inaccurate weather forecasts pushed tourists onto the O Circuit despite dangerous conditions. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile draws 250,000 to 300,000 visitors each year, many aiming to complete its famous trekking routes. On 17 November, a sudden, violent blizzard hit the remote O Circuit trail, killing five hikers and leaving dozens stranded in whiteout conditions for hours. The tragedy highlighted deficiencies in park safety and management, sparking widespread criticism of the measures designed to protect visitors.
Around 30 international trekkers left the Los Perros campsite between 5 and 7 am on 17 November, aiming to cross John Garner Pass. The morning began with light rain and moderate winds, typical for the area. As they climbed, conditions deteriorated rapidly. By late morning, visibility dropped to a few meters, and winds strengthened beyond forecasts, producing whiteout conditions that made navigation nearly impossible. The O Circuit, a 130–140 km loop around the Paine Massif, ranks among Patagonia’s most demanding multi-day treks.
After 10 am, hikers faced near-horizontal snow, violent gusts, and complete loss of visibility on the exposed upper section of John Garner Pass. The group split as some turned back while others pressed forward, unaware of the storm’s rapid escalation. Extreme cold, deep snow, and no natural shelters trapped several trekkers. Five did not survive: a Mexican couple, a German couple, and a British woman, all caught on the open high pass during the storm’s peak. Survivors later found the bodies along the upper trail.
Failures in Warning and Response
Survivors reported unclear and delayed warnings about John Garner Pass conditions. Camp staff reportedly claimed forecasts indicated only moderate winds, labeling the weather as “normal.” Authorities kept the trail open even as conditions worsened. Many blamed the park for slow rescue efforts. Stranded hikers had to organise initial help themselves until officials arrived. No trained personnel monitored the remote section, leaving the first critical hours entirely to unprepared trekkers trying to assist each other in whiteout conditions.
CONAF, Chile’s National Forestry Corporation, oversees all park operations, including monitoring trail safety, controlling access, and issuing closures. Official survival guides advise hikers to follow ranger instructions and check trail updates at ranger stations.
Ranger Absence and Staffing Challenges
Rangers usually perform entrance checks, monitor weather and trail conditions, and provide timely safety updates. Survivors stated no rangers were present near the most dangerous section of John Garner Pass during the blizzard. Without rangers to evaluate the pass or close the trail, hikers assumed it was safe.
Staff shortages occurred because many rangers were off to vote in Chile’s 2025 presidential election. CONAF confirmed no rangers were stationed in the critical Los Perros / John Garner Pass sector when the storm struck. On that day, only about 51 personnel remained in the entire park. Chile’s national parks face recurring staffing issues: as of 2025, only 450 highly qualified rangers cover 13.2 million hectares. A 2018 report highlighted that some protected areas operate with fewer than five employees. Earlier in 2025, thousands of CONAF staff staged a nationwide strike over resource shortages and administrative problems. Across the border in Argentina, rangers reportedly resigned in large numbers due to management issues under the new national park administration.
