In this Disaster Strikes segment of the Crux podcast, host Kaycee McIntosh recounts the November 17, 2025 tragedy on Torres del Paine’s O Circuit at John Garner Pass, where a forecasted cyclone hit hurricane-force gusts up to 193 km/h and whiteout conditions. A group of nine independent hikers—many experienced and including multiple physicians—attempted the crossing after being told by Los Perros refugio staff conditions were “normal for Patagonia,” while no CONAF rangers staffed the mandatory checkpoint due to election-day staffing shortages. Survivors improvised rescue with satellite devices, makeshift stretchers, and CPR in the hut, but five people died of hypothermia: Victoria Bond, Christina Calvillo Tovar, Julian Garcia Pimentel, Nadine Lache, and Andreas Vine. The episode details delayed official response, survivor-led self-evacuation, an ongoing negligence investigation, and calls for ranger staffing, emergency planning, better communications, and hiker tracking.

00:47 Ominous Hut Warning

01:33 What Went Wrong Tease

02:28 O Circuit Overview

05:09 Patagonia Weather Reality

06:16 Safety Systems Gaps

07:57 John Garner Pass Danger

09:21 Nine Hikers Meet

11:51 Los Perros Forecast Failure

14:17 Dawn Departure Decision

15:01 Point of No Return

16:49 Whiteout Chaos Above Treeline

18:08 Warnings Turn Some Back

19:00 Hurricane Force Trap

20:01 Whiteout Hypothermia Spiral

21:16 Falls And Descent Decisions

22:23 Hut Turns Triage Center

23:18 Stretcher Rescue And CPR

26:12 Missing Hikers Go Public

28:54 Bodies Found And Airlifts

30:13 How Did This Happen

32:49 Ranger Checkpoint Failure

34:50 Survivors Demand Reforms

37:50 Human Spirit And Aftermath

39:14 Closing Reflections

1. Dapcevich, Madison & Zonshayn, David. "I Triaged Patients During the Deadly Patagonia Storm." Outside Magazine, Dec 24, 2025. (Dr. Zonshayn firsthand account)
2. Gillette, Sam. "Survivor of Deadly Blizzard Lost Sight of Friend." People Magazine, Nov 23, 2025. (Christian Aldridge testimony)
3. Thorpe, George. "Chile snowstorm deaths were 'avoidable tragedy.'" BBC News, Nov 24, 2025. (Survivor recommendations)
4. Annapurna, Kris. "The Torres del Paine Tragedy: What Really Happened." ExplorersWeb, Nov 23, 2025. (Timeline, Dr. Wingfield quotes)
5. Jackson, Katie. "Sudden Blizzard on Patagonia's 'O' Circuit Leaves Five Hikers Dead." The Trek, Nov 20, 2025.
6. Knight, Marlee. "Extreme Snowstorm Claims Five Lives on Torres del Paine's 'O' Circuit." Teton Gravity Research, Nov 21, 2025.
7. Johanson, Mark. "Deadly Storm Strikes Popular Trek in Patagonia's Torres del Paine." Outside Magazine, Nov 18, 2025.

• Date: November 17, 2025
• Location: John Garner Pass, Torres del Paine, Chile
• Deaths: 5 (Victoria Bond-UK, Cristina Calvillo Tovar-MX, Julian Garcia Pimentel-MX, Nadine Lichey-DE, Andreas von Pein-DE)
• Wind: 193 kph (120 mph)
• Forecast: Issued Nov 13, updated Nov 15
• Rangers: Zero on duty at John Garner Pass sector (CONAF confirmed)
• Medical response: 27 hikers required treatment

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