An Austrian climber is facing manslaughter charges after reportedly abandoning his partner on the Grossglockner mountain, leading to her death.
The climber, identified in local reports as Thomas Plamberger, 36, allegedly left his companion, Kerstin Gurtner, 33, on the mountain to seek help after they encountered difficulties on January 19, 2025.
This case could set a precedent regarding the legal obligations climbers have towards their fellow climbers.
The duo was attempting to climb the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak, in a 17-hour-long ascent.
However, conditions worsened, with temperatures plunging to -9C (approximately 16F), and a windchill reaching -20C (-4F) accompanied by 45mph winds.
Gurtner became too fatigued to continue, and Plamberger left her about 50 meters (164 feet) from the summit around 2am.
She subsequently succumbed to the freezing conditions.
Authorities allege that Plamberger bears responsibility for her death as he was the ‘responsible guide for the tour’ and had extensive experience in high-altitude Alpine treks, unlike his girlfriend who lacked such experience.
Plamberger has refuted any allegations of fault, with his attorney, Kurt Jelinek, categorizing the event as a ‘tragic accident’.
He departed from her location at 2am and alerted emergency services by 3.30am. Tragically, Gurtner’s body was discovered at approximately 10.10am.
Prosecutors also contend that the duo was ‘effectively stranded’ on the mountain around 8.50pm, yet Plamberger failed to signal a police helicopter that was nearby at 10:50pm.
Plamberger’s legal team maintains that he contacted emergency services at 12.35am, requesting urgent assistance, although prosecutors claim the call’s details remain ‘unclear’.
They further allege that he had no additional communication with emergency services as his phone was set to silent.
Prosecutors argue that Plamberger did not adequately consider Gurtner’s lack of climbing experience and the adverse weather conditions.
Conditions became severe when the pair reached the ‘Breakfast Spot,’ the last camp before the summit, where it would have been prudent to turn back.
Gurtner’s mother has openly commented, expressing to the German newspaper Die Zeit that she doesn’t hold her daughter’s partner accountable for her death, acknowledging they were well-prepared for the climb.
A trial is slated to occur at the Innsbruck Regional Court.