Kerstin G: Climber goes on trial after 'leaving girlfriend to die' on Austria's highest mountain

Kerstin G died of hypothermia on a mountain climbing trip to the Grossglockner. Her boyfriend is accused of leaving her unprotected and exhausted close to the summit in stormy conditions in the early hours of 19 January 2025, while he went to get help.

The trial has sparked interest and debate, not just in Austria but in mountain climbing communities far beyond its borders. Prosecutors say that, as the more experienced climber, the man on trial was "the responsible guide for the tour" and failed to turn back or call for support in time to help his girlfriend.

Identified by Austrian media as Thomas P, he denies the charges and his lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, has described the woman's death as "a tragic accident." The tragedy unfolded after the couple began their climb of the 3,798m (12,460ft) Grossglockner.

Prosecutors accuse Thomas P of making mistakes from the outset and have published a list of 9 errors. At stake is the question of when personal judgement and risk-taking become a matter of criminal liability. If the climber is found guilty it could mean "a paradigm shift for mountain sports", says Austria's Der Standard newspaper.

Prosecutors say the couple got stuck at about 20:50 and that the man failed to call the police and did not send any distress signals when a police helicopter flew overhead at around 22:50. The boyfriend's lawyer said at that point his client and girlfriend still felt fine and did not call for help as they were close to the summit.

Kerstin G died alone in the snow on the frozen mountainside. Her social media feed suggests she was a keen mountaineer and her mother has told German media that she loved mountain hiking at night.

Thomas P's lawyer says he is "deeply sorry" for her death. "Above all, he would like to express his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased," Mr Jelinek said. If found guilty, Thomas P faces up to three years in prison. A guilty verdict could also have implications for other mountain climbers, and how much they could be liable for their companions in the future.