Sudden blizzard on Patagonia’s «O» circuit leaves five hikers dead

TO A violent and unexpected snowstorm in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile claimed the lives of five international tourists on Monday, November 17, after the group became trapped in extreme weather conditions while hiking the remote “O” Circuit.

The confirmed deaths include two Mexican nationals, two German nationals and one Briton, officials confirmed Nov. 18. The five were part of a group of hikers caught in the snowstorm near the park’s notoriously difficult Los Perros – John Garner Pass sector. Four other missing hikers were located alive and search operations have concluded.

Hurricane-force winds trap hikers

The tragedy unfolded abruptly on Monday when the region, currently in the Patagonian spring, experienced a sudden deterioration in weather. The area was hit by heavy snowfall and wind gusts that reached 193 kilometers per hour (120 mph), a force comparable to that of a Category 3 hurricane.

The victims were walking over John Garner Pass, the highest point of the multi-day “O” loop. According to a mail According to hiker Em Dong, the weather became much worse after the group attempted to cross the pass early that morning.

Dong’s message, widely shared among the local Puerto Natales mountain community, described the situation as critical: «We need urgent help, climbers and rescuers are at risk of dying due to our current situation.»

The search and recovery effort

Search and rescue operations began immediately, involving approximately 30 park rangers, military personnel and specialized teams. Crews continued working despite the strong wind and poor visibility from the snow storm.

Authorities initially recovered the bodies of the two Mexican citizens. On November 18, the three remaining bodies, that of the German couple and that of the British woman, were located in the Los Perros area. Once all previously reported missing persons were accounted for, the extensive SAR mission was officially cancelled.

Frame of a video released by the Chilean Air Force This week shows a Bell-412 helicopter conducting a complex aerial search and rescue operation in Torres del Paine National Park.

The victims have been identified as Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julián García Pimentel from Mexico, Victoria Bond from the United Kingdom and Nadine Lichey and Andreas Von Pein from Germany.

José Antonio Ruiz, presidential delegate for the Magallanes Region, confirmed to journalists that negotiations were being made with the victims’ countries of origin to repatriate the bodies, a process complicated by the harsh weather conditions.

Highest risk sector

John Garner Pass, located on the west side of the Paine Massif at approximately 1,200 meters (4,000 ft), is widely recognized as the most challenging section of the O Circuit.

Gonzalo Fuenzalida, founder of Chile Nativo Travel, told Outside that the pass is already complicated in its natural condition, but in blizzard conditions it becomes “doubly challenging” due to the high risk of hikers getting lost or slipping. He noted that most accidents and deaths on the O Circuit typically occur in this specific section.

Local media reports indicated that the pass was unmanned by park personnel at the time of the emergency due to a weekly shift change.

Torres del Paine National Park, declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, attracts more than a quarter of a million visitors a year. While it is known for its dramatically changing weather (often described as “four seasons in one day”), deaths on this scale are rare.

The area is known for strong winds and rapidly changing weather. Photo via Elizabeth Jackson

The authorities closed the affected section of Circuit O and the Chilean Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into the details of the incident.

“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred last Monday, November 17 in the Torres del Paine National Park and we send our most sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and to all those who have experienced very difficult moments in the Torres del Paine National Park,” said the Chilean National Forestry Corporation (CONAF). in a statement.

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