Accused Left Partner Alone to Freeze on Großglockner
An Austrian man, 36, is in hot water after his 33-year-old girlfriend tragically died freezing on Austria’s tallest mountain, the 12,460-foot Großglockner. Prosecutors say he left her alone for over six hours to fetch help when she was too exhausted and hypothermic to continue climbing in January 2025.
He now faces up to three years in prison, charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. Authorities claim his poor decisions and lack of preparation directly led to her death.
Planning Failures and Dangerous Decisions
The court heard the experienced climber disregarded basic safety. Prosecutors say he underestimated his partner’s lack of experience in high-altitude alpine climbs and didn’t carry enough emergency gear for the brutal conditions.
- The couple started their climb two hours late, creating a risky time crunch.
- He left her exposed and vulnerable instead of moving her to shelter or using emergency blankets and bivouac sacks.
- She was equipped with unsuitable gear like a splitboard and soft snow boots, inappropriate for the harsh terrain.
Ignored Warning Signs in Brutal Conditions
The pair faced savage winds up to 46mph and temperatures plummeting to minus 8°C — feeling like minus 20°C with wind chill. Prosecutors say the boyfriend should have called for help or turned back sooner. Alarmingly, he failed to signal distress when a police helicopter flew overhead late at night and didn’t respond promptly to rescue calls, as his phone was kept silent and put away.
He only alerted rescue teams at 3:30am — long after abandoning his girlfriend sans protection in sub-zero temperatures.
Rescue Too Late, Trial Set for February 2026
Rescuers couldn’t reach the freezing woman at dawn due to ongoing winds. Her body was discovered later once conditions improved. Prosecutors insist earlier action could have saved her life.
The man’s trial kicks off on 19th February 2026 at Innsbruck Regional Court. His lawyer expressed sorrow but insists it was a tragic accident, not criminal negligence. Still, prosecutors argue his mistakes amount to reckless manslaughter.
Mountaineering Tragedies Highlight Risks and Responsibilities
This case marks a grim reminder that experienced climbers leading novices must bear serious responsibility. It echoes other deadly alpine stories, including Russian climber Natalia Nagovitsyna’s presumed death on Kyrgyzstan’s Victory Peak amid brutal weather and failed rescue efforts.
Austria’s mountaineering scene faces urgent calls to tighten safety rules and underline the need for proper gear, timing, and decision-making when scaling deadly heights.
