Tourists entered the O Circuit without ranger guidance as weather conditions worsened.
Torres del Paine National Park receives up to 300,000 annual visitors, many seeking its famous treks.
On 17 November, a sudden blizzard hit the remote O Circuit, killing five hikers and trapping dozens for hours.
The disaster, triggered by violent weather, revealed ongoing concerns about park safety and management.
How the Crisis Unfolded on the O Circuit
A group of about 30 trekkers left Los Perros campsite between 5 and 7 am on 17 November.
Light rain and steady winds greeted them, conditions considered normal in the region.
Weather deteriorated rapidly as they climbed toward John Garner Pass.
Visibility dropped to metres by late morning as winds exceeded forecasts.
The O Circuit circles the entire massif and spans roughly 130 to 140 kilometres.
Around 10 am, trekkers faced horizontal snow, fierce gusts and near-zero visibility.
They reached the exposed upper section of the pass, well above the treeline.
As the storm intensified, the group split as some turned back and others pushed forward.
Heavy snow, freezing temperatures and total exposure left many unable to descend.
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 later found the victims near the upper part of the pass.
Concerns About Oversight and Missing Rangers
Survivors said they received no clear warnings about conditions on John Garner Pass.
Camp staff reportedly mentioned only moderate winds and kept the route open.
Many criticised the park for slow action once the storm reached full strength.
Hikers said no officials arrived to lead an evacuation during the early hours.
Stranded trekkers coordinated the first rescue efforts without trained support.
CONAF oversees Torres del Paine routes and must monitor conditions and issue closures.
Official guidance urges visitors to follow ranger instructions and check stations for updates.
Ranger Shortages and Structural Problems
High-season procedures require rangers to control access, track weather and brief hikers.
Survivors reported no ranger presence near the pass during the blizzard.
Without rangers to assess risks or close the route, visitors believed it remained safe.
Many rangers were off duty to vote in the 2025 presidential election on 16 November.
CONAF confirmed that no rangers staffed the Los Perros–John Garner sector that day.
Reports noted only about 51 total personnel inside the park during the storm.
Chile’s parks have long faced staffing shortages, with only 450 qualified rangers for 13.2 million hectares.
A 2018 report stated that many protected areas operate with fewer than five CONAF employees.
In June 2025, thousands of CONAF workers went on strike over administrative issues and limited resources.
Across the border, Argentinian rangers reportedly resigned in large numbers due to changes under Javier Milei’s administration.
