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. 00:00 Disaster Strikes Intro 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 REFERENCES PRIMARY SOURCES Dapcevich, Madison & Zonshayn, David. "I Triaged Patients During the Deadly Patagonia Storm." Outside Magazine, Dec 24, 2025. (Dr. Zonshayn firsthand account) Gillette, Sam. "Survivor of Deadly Blizzard Lost Sight of Friend." People Magazine, Nov 23, 2025. (Christian Aldridge testimony) Thorpe, George. "Chile snowstorm deaths were 'avoidable tragedy.'" BBC News, Nov 24, 2025. (Survivor recommendations) Annapurna, Kris. "The Torres del Paine Tragedy: What Really Happened." ExplorersWeb, Nov 23, 2025. (Timeline, Dr. Wingfield quotes) Jackson, Katie. "Sudden Blizzard on Patagonia's 'O' Circuit Leaves Five Hikers Dead." The Trek, Nov 20, 2025. Knight, Marlee. "Extreme Snowstorm Claims Five Lives on Torres del Paine's 'O' Circuit." Teton Gravity Research, Nov 21, 2025. Johanson, Mark. "Deadly Storm Strikes Popular Trek in Patagonia's Torres del Paine." Outside Magazine, Nov 18, 2025. VERIFIED FACTS 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 All quotes and details verified from published sources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
