Authorities in Chile’s Magallanes region have confirmed the deaths of two tourists in Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most visited parks in Patagonia, after extreme weather struck the area on November 17.
The hikers were traveling through the remote Los Perros sector, near the John Gardner Pass, when conditions changed abruptly, bringing heavy snowfall and wind gusts of up to 193 km/h (about 120 mph). Emergency teams were deployed to the site, a notoriously difficult-to-access area of the park and part of one of Patagonia’s most challenging trekking circuits.
Search efforts remain underway for seven missing tourists, as officials continue to assess the extent of the crisis. So far, authorities have identified one of the deceased as a Mexican national.
In the heart of the world’s untouched wilderness, there are entire swathes of land that beckon adventurers with the promise of natural beauty. But despite the grandeur and majesty to be found in national parks, there lies a hidden trail fraught with missteps and pitfalls. From the novice wanderer to the seasoned explorer, visitors are often blind to the potential dangers that await if they aren’t careful.
But what are the biggest mistakes to look out for when visiting a national park? Click through this gallery to find out.