Experienced Climber Charged With Manslaughter After Girlfriend's Death on Austria's Highest Peak

A 39-year-old mountaineer from Salzburg, Austria has been charged with manslaughter following the tragic death of his girlfriend on Grossglockner, Austria's tallest mountain. The 33-year-old woman, a novice at high-altitude climbing, perished in harsh winter conditions after being abandoned "exhausted, hypothermic and unprotected" approximately 150 feet below the 12,460-foot summit.

According to reports from The Metro, the experienced climber left his struggling partner alone for over six hours while he departed to find assistance. Prosecutors maintain that since he organized the expedition and possessed advanced alpine expertise, he functioned as her guide and consequently held greater responsibility for her wellbeing. The charge of manslaughter by gross negligence could result in imprisonment for up to three years if convicted.

The investigation revealed several critical failures in preparation. The couple initiated their ascent two hours behind schedule and lacked essential emergency equipment. Additionally, the woman was inadequately outfitted for the treacherous alpine environment, wearing a splitboard and soft snow boots. Reports indicate they encountered extreme weather conditions, including powerful winds reaching 46mph and temperatures dropping to what felt like minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Authorities allege the man disregarded numerous danger signals, persisting with the climb despite his partner's inexperience, and failed to contact emergency services before darkness fell. He reportedly missed multiple calls from rescue personnel after putting his phone on silent mode. His emergency call was only placed at 3:30am. By the time rescue teams reached the woman around 10am, she had already succumbed to the elements. Powerful winds had also prevented an earlier helicopter rescue attempt at dawn.

The defendant's attorney has characterized the incident as a tragic accident. The case is scheduled to be heard at the Innsbruck Regional Court on February 19, 2026. This incident follows the recent death of 47-year-old climber Natalia Nagovitsyna on Kyrgyzstan's Pobeda Peak, where extreme conditions similarly prevented timely rescue operations.