Austrian climber convicted in girlfriend's freezing death on Grossglockner

Climber convicted in girlfriend's mountain death

An Austrian climber has been found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend froze to death on the country's highest mountain. The man, identified only as Thomas P under Austrian privacy laws, received a five-month suspended sentence and a €9,600 fine.

The court in Kitzbühel convicted him for his role in the death of his girlfriend, Kerstin G, during a January 2025 climb of the Grossglockner. In its ruling, the court cited mitigating factors including his clean record and the loss of a loved one.

Judge cites vast experience gap

Judge Norbert Hofer, an experienced climber himself, stated Thomas P was an "excellent Alpinist" but that Kerstin G was "light-years behind him" in ability. He concluded the couple should have turned back because she lacked sufficient experience for winter conditions.

The prosecution argued that as the more experienced climber, Thomas P was "the responsible guide for the tour." They said he failed in his duty by not turning back or calling for help in time.

Thomas P pleaded not guilty, telling the court he was deeply sorry and had loved his girlfriend. His lawyer, Kurt Jelinik, argued Kerstin was not inexperienced and knew the risks of the planned trip.

Previous incident revealed in court

The trial revealed a pattern of behavior. Andrea B, a former girlfriend of Thomas P, testified he had left her alone during a 2023 tour on the same mountain.

She described being at her limit, feeling dizzy with a dead headlamp, when he "suddenly disappeared, walking ahead and leaving her behind." This testimony was presented to establish a history of negligence.

Final hours on the mountain

Prosecutors detailed the couple's final, fateful hours. They became stuck on the mountain in severe conditions:

• Winds of up to 74 km/h (45 mph)
• Temperatures of -8°C, with a wind chill of -20°C
• No distress signal sent when a police helicopter flew overhead at 22:30

Video from that helicopter showed the pair still climbing. The defense argued they felt fine and were close to the summit, so they did not call for help.

The situation deteriorated near the summit when Kerstin G became exhausted. The defense claimed she told Thomas P to go get help. He called mountain police at 00:35 on January 19th, though the urgency of that call is disputed.

He then scaled the summit and descended alone, leaving Kerstin behind around 02:00. Webcam images captured his torchlit descent.

Rescuers describe grim discovery

Mountain rescuers provided harrowing testimony. They found Kerstin G's body hanging upside down from a rock face.

One rescuer told the court her eyes were wide open, she was not wearing gloves, and her boots were open. "We were amazed that she remained in that position," he said, noting a stronger wind would have sent her over the south face.

A trial that sparked global debate

The case ignited widespread discussion in Austria and international climbing circles about criminal liability in high-risk sports. The court noted it considered "the public discussion on social media, which was incriminating for the defendant."

The conviction sets a legal precedent, clarifying that personal judgement on the mountain can cross into criminal negligence, especially when a vast experience gap exists between climbing partners.