Climber Convicted of Manslaughter for Abandoning Girlfriend on Austria's Highest Peak
In a tragic case that has gripped the alpine community, a climber accused of abandoning his girlfriend on Austria's highest mountain has been found guilty of manslaughter. Thomas Plamberger, 39, was convicted by a court in Innsbruck over the death of Kerstin Gurtner, 33, who perished on Grossglockner in January last year after being left alone in brutal, life-threatening conditions.
Fatal Ascent and Abandonment
Gurtner died just 150 feet below the 12,640-foot summit of Grossglockner during a night when temperatures plummeted to minus 20°C. Prosecutors presented evidence to the court that Plamberger left her "unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented" in darkness while he descended alone to seek assistance. According to the Innsbruck prosecutor's office, at approximately 2 a.m., the defendant departed, leaving his girlfriend in a perilous state about 50 meters below the summit cross. The woman ultimately froze to death in the extreme cold.
Prosecutors emphasized that as an experienced high-altitude mountaineer who had planned the tour, Plamberger was considered the "responsible guide of the tour." This role imposed a duty of care that he allegedly breached by abandoning Gurtner in such hazardous circumstances.
Harsh Conditions and Inadequate Equipment
The couple began their ascent on January 19 but set off two hours later than planned, facing severe weather conditions. Winds of up to 46 mph made temperatures of minus 8°C feel closer to minus 20°C, creating a wind chill that exacerbated the danger. Webcam footage from the mountain showed two lights near the summit around 6 p.m., but by 2 a.m., only one light was visible moving away from the summit area, indicating Plamberger's solo descent.
Prosecutors further alleged that the pair were inadequately equipped for the climb. Gurtner wore snowboard soft boots instead of proper mountaineering footwear, and Plamberger failed to take crucial protective measures before leaving her. He did not place her in a wind-sheltered position, use aluminium rescue blankets, or deploy a bivvy bag, actions that might have increased her chances of survival.
Defense Arguments and Court Findings
Plamberger denied the allegations, describing the events through his lawyer as a "tragic, fateful incident." He expressed deep remorse in court, stating, "I am incredibly sorry," and affirmed that he had "loved" Gurtner, with whom he had "always planned their tours together." His defense argued that Gurtner urged him to leave and seek help after he had remained with her for over an hour in freezing conditions.
However, Judge Norbert Hofer found Plamberger's account inconsistent with the evidence. The court was shown a photograph indicating Gurtner had fallen and was found hanging from a rope, with evidence suggesting she had been suspended for about two hours before her death. The head of the mountain rescue team testified that it appeared Gurtner had attempted to descend alone before falling, contradicting the defense's narrative.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Plamberger was sentenced to five months' imprisonment, suspended for three years, and ordered to pay a €9,600 fine. Mountain rescue teams were unable to reach the site overnight due to the severe weather, and Gurtner's body was discovered by helicopter at around 10 a.m. the following morning.
Grossglockner, located in central-west Austria, is renowned as a demanding alpine ascent that requires ropes, crampons, and ice axes, with climbers navigating glacier terrain known for hidden crevasses. The case has highlighted the grave risks of high-altitude mountaineering and the responsibilities of experienced climbers.
Following her death, hundreds of tributes were paid to Gurtner. A funeral notice posted online read, "Our lives are in God's hands; if it is His will, then do not grieve for me. But remember me with love," reflecting the profound loss felt by her loved ones and the climbing community.
