A seasoned mountaineer is accused of leaving his girlfriend to ‘freeze to death’ on a mountain, and has written a disturbing tribute to her following the incident.
33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner was guided by her mountaineering boyfriend on a night-time climb of Austria’s Grossglockner mountain, which towers at 12,460 feet. The ascent took place in harsh winter conditions, with the temperature dropping to -4 degrees Fahrenheit as they made their way to the top.
However, just 150 feet from the summit on January 18, at 8.50pm, Gurtner, who was not well-equipped or experienced, collapsed. She was disoriented and suffering from hypothermia as strong winds of up to 46 mph battered the mountain.
Later, her partner allegedly left her at the mountain’s peak and began his descent. Webcam footage shows a single light moving down the mountain after two had ascended.
In a somber tribute after the tragic event, her boyfriend expressed his deep sorrow, stating it “hurts so incredibly much” to be without her.
According to Bild, the full message posted on social media reads: “I miss you so much. It hurts so incredibly much. Forever in my heart. Without you, time is meaningless.” He also joined in signing her parents’ obituary.
He has now been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence related to her death, as he allegedly left Gurtner on the mountain’s side at the beginning of the year.
Prosecutors argue that the experienced climber failed to protect Gurtner in several ways, including starting the hike without adequate gear and not signaling for a rescue helicopter hours after they encountered trouble.
The helicopter flew over them as rescue teams were alerted to someone in distress on the mountain. However, attempts to reach him were unsuccessful as his phone was turned off.
At 00.30, about 90 minutes later, Gurtner’s boyfriend contacted the Alpine Police, but what was communicated remains unclear. Shortly after 2am, he descended the mountain alone.
European prosecutors released a statement saying: “At approximately 2:00 a.m., the defendant left his girlfriend unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented about 50 meters below the summit cross of the Grossglockner.”
“The woman froze to death. Since the defendant, unlike his girlfriend, was already very experienced with alpine high-altitude tours and had planned the tour, he was to be considered the responsible guide of the tour.”
The climber is also accused of abandoning Gurtner without adequate protective gear during his descent, failing to secure a sheltered spot, use a bivouac bag, or wrap her in aluminum rescue blankets for warmth.
After descending Austria’s highest mountain with his phone off and ignoring emergency service calls, he informed the Alpine Police at 3.30am.
Due to the severe weather and strong winds, any immediate rescue was thwarted, with helicopter attempts being called off at 7am.
Eventually, a rescue team reached the mountain, where Gurtner was tragically found deceased. Her boyfriend is scheduled to stand trial on February 19, 2026, and could face up to three years in prison.