Climber on Trial Reveals Girlfriend's Final Words Before She Froze on Mountain
Thomas Plamberger, a 39-year-old mountaineer, has revealed the last words his girlfriend spoke to him before he left her to freeze to death on Austria's highest mountain. The shocking testimony came during his manslaughter trial, where he faces up to three years in prison if convicted.
'She Told Me to Go'
Plamberger told the court that his 33-year-old girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, uttered the phrase "she told me to go" as he made the decision to leave her at the summit of the Grossglockner. This mountain, standing at an imposing 12,460 feet, is the tallest peak in Austria and was the site of the tragic incident in January 2024.
The experienced climber denies the manslaughter charge, arguing that he acted on what he believed were Gurtner's wishes. However, prosecutors allege gross negligence, claiming he was ill-prepared for emergencies and delayed contacting rescue teams for hours.
Fatal Conditions on the Grossglockner
Kerstin Gurtner met her demise just 150 feet below the summit, where temperatures had plummeted to a bone-chilling -20 degrees Celsius. The extreme cold, combined with high altitude and potentially inadequate gear, created a lethal environment for the stranded climber.
This case has gripped Austria, highlighting the dangers of high-altitude mountaineering and the legal responsibilities climbers have towards their partners. The trial continues to examine whether Plamberger's actions constituted criminal negligence or a tragic misjudgment under dire circumstances.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
The prosecution's case centers on several key points:
- Plamberger's alleged failure to carry essential emergency equipment
- The significant delay in alerting mountain rescue services
- Questions about whether he adequately assessed Gurtner's condition before descending
As an experienced mountaineer, Plamberger was expected to understand the risks of winter climbing on the Grossglockner and take appropriate precautions. The outcome of this trial could set important precedents for climbing partnerships and safety protocols in extreme environments.
