Tragic Death on Grossglockner: Austrian Woman Abandoned in Freezing Conditions by Mountaineer Boyfriend

Friends and family have created an online memorial page honoring Kerstin Gurtner.

The identity of the 33-year-old Austrian woman who tragically perished from freezing temperatures on Grossglockner mountain has been confirmed as Kerstin Gurtner, according to the New York Post. Gurtner, who hailed from Salzburg, described herself on her social media accounts as both a "winter child" and a "mountain person." In January, she was ascending Austria's highest peak alongside her boyfriend, 39-year-old Thomas Plamberger, an experienced mountaineering guide.

The tragic incident unfolded when the couple began their ascent approximately two hours behind schedule, encountering extreme weather conditions including temperatures plummeting to -20°C and winds reaching hurricane force. Gurtner succumbed to exhaustion, hypothermia, and disorientation when they were just 150 feet from reaching the summit.

According to prosecutors, Plamberger allegedly abandoned Gurtner "unprotected" around 2 am as he sought assistance. They claim he failed to utilize available emergency blankets or a bivouac sack that could have shielded her from the severe cold. Reports indicate he delayed contacting emergency services for several hours and subsequently silenced his phone after making an initial call, causing him to miss further communication attempts. Webcam footage captured only one headtorch moving away from the summit hours later.

Due to the powerful winds, rescue teams couldn't reach Gurtner until the following morning, by which time she had already died. Plamberger now faces manslaughter charges due to gross negligence, which carries a potential three-year prison sentence if he is convicted. His attorney maintains that the incident was merely a "tragic, fateful accident."

The Innsbruck public prosecutor's office stated: "At approximately 2:00 a.m., the defendant left his girlfriend unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented about 50 meters below the summit cross of the Grossglockner. The woman froze to death. Since the defendant, unlike his girlfriend, was already very experienced with alpine high-altitude tours and had planned the tour, he was to be considered the responsible guide of the tour."

The case is scheduled for a hearing at the Innsbruck Regional Court on February 19, 2026.

In remembrance of Kerstin Gurtner, friends and family established an online memorial page where hundreds have left tributes expressing profound shock and grief. These tributes commemorate her as a "wonderful" woman and a "beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, godmother, granddaughter, partner and friend." The family has requested that visitors to the memorial page "refrain from accusations and assumptions."

One touching tribute reads: "Deeply saddened to learn of this death, I wish to express my condolences. Impossible to find the right words, I send you, though we do not know each other, a heartfelt hug and the hope that the merciful Lord has prepared a wonderful and especially beautiful place for your dear Kerstin in heaven."