It was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime, a trek across the breathtaking wilds of Chilean Patagonia. But for Victoria Bond, a well-known public relations consultant from Cornwall, and four other international travelers, the journey ended in tragedy when a ferocious snowstorm swept through Torres del Paine National Park in mid-November 2025, claiming their lives and shaking communities across three continents.
The ordeal began on Monday, November 17, when a group of nine hikers found themselves engulfed by a sudden, violent blizzard near the park's Los Perros camp—a remote area that sits a challenging four-to-five-hour trek from the nearest point accessible by vehicle, as reported by The Mirror. Winds howled at speeds up to 120 mph, a force comparable to a Category 3 hurricane, while heavy snowfall battered the rugged landscape, making rescue efforts perilous and complicated. According to BBC News and Sky News, the alarm was first raised that day by American hiker Arab Ginnett, who posted a desperate plea for help on a Facebook group used by visitors to the park: "We are at Los Perros camp in the Torres del Paine. People were climbing the John Gardner earlier today and the weather has turned very bad. We are snowed in and people are still out on the pass. Very strong wind, 120 mph. They left at 6am this morning. We have sent out 20-25 people to rescue people who are still missing. We believe there are at least five people who have not been found, one is being rescued now but she is very unresponsive. They are on the side between Los Perros and the top of the pass. We need urgent help, climbers and rescuers are at the risk of dying based on our current situation. We have sent everybody we can up the mountain but still need more helpers. It is very difficult to get information about rescue services here. Please contact me if you can help."
Despite the rapid mobilization of more than 20 search and rescue personnel—both civilian and military, as confirmed by Chile's regional presidential office—the extreme weather made their mission nearly impossible. The storm, which struck on November 17 and continued into the next day, left the hikers exposed to life-threatening conditions. By Tuesday, November 18, the bodies of five hikers were recovered: Victoria Bond, two German nationals (Nadine Lichey and Andreas Von Pein), and two Mexican citizens (Cristina Calvillo Tovar and Julian Garcia Pimentel). Four others were found alive, a small comfort in the face of such loss.
Victoria Bond, 40, was no stranger to adventure. Friends and colleagues described her as adventurous, charismatic, and passionate about life. She had headed public relations for Visit Isles of Scilly for over six years, working tirelessly to promote the islands 28 miles off the Cornish coast. Adrian Jones, who collaborated with Bond on the Roseland Festival in Cornwall, remembered her as "lovable, witty and creative," someone who "was a doer... she had ideas and she saw them through." He added, "She will leave a huge hole in Portscatho... she lived in Newquay but she spent a lot of the time in Portscatho. Unbelievably sad as it may seem, she was doing what she lived life for."
Her colleagues at Visit Isles of Scilly were equally devastated. In a statement, the organization said, "Victoria headed up our public relations for over six years. She was always full of charisma, charm and had an amazing passion for life and Scilly. Her can do, never say no attitude and infectious laugh were adored by all who knew her. She will be missed beyond words, and we are only now just starting to process her untimely passing." Andrew Sells, chairman of Visit Isles of Scilly, added, "She was always a joy to work with, and I cannot praise her work too highly. She is an enormous loss to the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends." Euan Rodger, the executive vice-chairman, echoed these sentiments, calling her "a true joy to work alongside" and noting that she "brought life, energy, and an infectious enthusiasm to every project."
The tragedy quickly drew international attention. Jose Antonio Ruiz, the presidential delegate of the Magallanes region of southern Chile, confirmed the multinational nature of the victims and the scale of the rescue operation. Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font praised the "tireless" efforts of the search and rescue teams who risked their own safety in "intense" snowfall and hurricane-force winds. In a message posted to X (formerly Twitter), President Boric wrote, "To the families, friends and loved ones of the five people from Mexico, Germany and the United Kingdom who lost their lives in the incident in Torres del Paine, I send my heartfelt condolences. Know that you have the full support and collaboration of Chilean authorities and institutions during these difficult times."
By November 19, Chilean officials declared the search operation concluded, shifting their focus to returning the bodies to their home countries and coordinating with the relevant consulates, as reported by Sky News and BBC News. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the UK confirmed, "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died following an incident in Chile and are in contact with the local authorities."
The scale and ferocity of the storm shocked even seasoned trekkers and locals. Torres del Paine National Park, renowned for its granite peaks and untouched wilderness, is one of Chile’s most visited tourist destinations. Yet, the park’s unpredictable weather is legendary, and November’s storm proved especially deadly. The five victims were reportedly trapped near Los Perros camp, a particularly remote and treacherous area, as detailed by The Mirror. The blizzard brought not only snow and wind but also heavy rainfall, compounding the dangers for those caught on the trails.
In the aftermath, tributes poured in from across the UK, Germany, and Mexico, as well as from the global hiking community. Victoria Bond’s social media had chronicled her love of travel, with recent posts from Athens, Barbados, and Costa Rica. Her last video, taken by a fellow hiker, was captioned with a touch of humor: "Day 1 of the Patagonia O-Trek: also known as 15km of why the f**k did I fly 8,000 when I could've walked round Bodmin Moor in a light drizzle?" It was a testament to her adventurous spirit and ability to find laughter even in the face of challenge.
As the international community mourns, attention is also turning to the risks faced by hikers in remote, weather-prone regions. The events in Torres del Paine serve as a sobering reminder of nature’s power and unpredictability, even in places celebrated for their beauty and allure. For the families and friends of those lost, the pain is immeasurable, but the outpouring of support and the memories shared offer some measure of comfort in the days ahead.
In the windswept valleys of Patagonia, the legacy of Victoria Bond and her fellow travelers will linger, a poignant reminder of the joys and perils of adventure on the edge of the world.
