A winter climb meant to be an adventure ended in a devastating loss on Austria’s highest mountain. A 33-year-old climber, Kerstin Gurtner, from Salzburg, froze to death just below the summit of the 12,460-foot Grossglockner after her boyfriend, Thomas Plamberger, 39, allegedly left her in brutal temperatures during the night.
Investigators now accuse him of gross negligence, turning the tragedy into a serious criminal case.
Kerstin Gurtner Was Just 150 Feet From the Peak
The couple began their ascent on a bitterly cold January afternoon. As they approached the final stretch, the woman became exhausted and hypothermic. She collapsed roughly 150 feet below the summit. Authorities say she was left “unprotected, exhausted and hypothermic” as freezing winds swept the mountain.
Temperatures on the ridge fell to around –20°C with wind chills. Winds reached nearly 50 mph, creating conditions that even experienced climbers find life-threatening.
Investigators Question Every Step Taken on Boyfriend’s Role
Officials say the boyfriend, a 39-year-old experienced mountaineer, carried the responsibility for planning the trip. They claim he made a series of dangerous decisions that put his partner at risk from the start.
The woman attempted the high-altitude climb wearing a splitboard and soft snow boots — gear experts describe as unsuitable for steep, mixed alpine terrain. The pair also started the climb nearly two hours late, reducing daylight and increasing exposure to nightfall. Investigators further say the couple did not carry a proper emergency kit, including essential winter rescue equipment.
Authorities believe he ignored clear signs of his partner’s inexperience. They claim he failed to end the climb early, even though darkness was approaching and the weather was worsening rapidly.
Six Hours Alone in Deadly –20°C Cold
When the woman collapsed, the boyfriend decided to descend the mountain alone. Prosecutors say he left her exposed to the extreme cold for six and a half hours before seeking help. Webcam images captured their headlamps early in the evening as they climbed. Later, the light from the woman’s lamp dimmed, and a separate image showed him continuing his descent alone around 2:30 am.
He allegedly did not call emergency services before nightfall. Investigators claim he remained silent even when a police helicopter flew overhead at 10:50 pm searching for signals or distress calls.
By the time rescue teams reached the woman the next morning, she had already succumbed to the freezing temperatures.
Tributes Pour In for the Young Climber
Friends and family created a memorial page to honor the woman’s life. Messages of grief and remembrance continue to flood in.
One person wrote, “Rest in heavenly peace!”
Another shared, “Behind the tears of grief lies the smile of remembrance! We still think of you very often!!”
A third mourner added, “Deeply saddened to learn of this death, I wish to express my condolences. Impossible to find the right words.”
Boyfriend Faces Up to Three Years in Prison
Prosecutors have charged the boyfriend with manslaughter by gross negligence. They say that, as the more skilled climber and the planner of the route, he effectively acted as the guide and had a duty to protect his partner.
If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison.
The case has sparked nationwide debate about mountain safety, responsibility during joint climbs, and the decisions experienced climbers must make when they choose to lead others into dangerous terrain.
