A 39-year-old mountaineer is facing manslaughter charges after his 33-year-old girlfriend from Salzburg froze to death on Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, during a disastrous climb in January.
A Fatal Decision in Extreme Conditions
The couple were found stranded just 50 metres from the summit after the woman, described as highly inexperienced for such a tour, began to struggle and could go no further. According to the public prosecutor's office, at approximately 2.00am, the defendant left his girlfriend unprotected, exhausted, and suffering from hypothermia to seek help. It was during his absence that she tragically lost her life.
The investigation, which included forensic reports, mobile phone and sports watch data, pictures, videos, and an alpine expert assessment, concluded the man was criminally negligent. As the experienced partner who had planned the tour, he was considered the responsible guide.
Catalogue of Alleged Failures and Errors
The prosecution has outlined a series of critical errors. The man allegedly failed to account for his partner's lack of experience, having never undertaken a high-alpine tour of this length. He started the climb around two hours later than planned and carried insufficient emergency equipment.
Furthermore, he allowed her to ascend with a splitboard and soft snow boots—gear deemed unsuitable for the mixed terrain. When he left her, he did not move her to a wind-protected spot or use a bivouac sack or rescue blanket.
The weather was brutally harsh, with wind speeds up to 46mph and temperatures of minus eight degrees Celsius, feeling like minus 20 with wind chill. The prosecution states he should have turned back much earlier.
Missed Opportunities for Rescue
The failures extended to emergency response. The pair were stranded from around 8.50pm, but the defendant did not make an emergency call before nightfall. He allegedly failed to signal a police helicopter that flew over at 10.50pm.
After the Alpine Police made several attempts to contact him, he spoke to an officer at about 00:35am. The content remains unclear, but he did not contact rescue services again afterwards, having put his phone on silent. He finally alerted rescuers at 3:30am, after leaving the woman alone.
A dawn helicopter rescue was impossible due to strong winds. Mountain rescuers reached the victim shortly after 10.00am, but she was already dead.
The boyfriend has been formally charged with manslaughter by gross negligence and could face up to three years in prison. His trial is scheduled for February 19, 2026, at the Innsbruck Regional Court.
