Innsbruck, Austria
An experienced Austrian mountaineer faces trial for grossly negligent homicide after his girlfriend died of hypothermia just 50 meters below the summit of Grossglockner, the country’s highest peak at 3,798 meters (12,461 feet).
Thomas Plamberger, 36-39, has been charged by the Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office in connection with the January 2025 death of his 33-year-old partner, Kerstin Gurtner. Prosecutors allege that Plamberger left Gurtner “unprotected, exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented” in blizzard conditions with temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) and wind gusts up to 70 km/h (44 mph), while he descended alone to seek help.
The couple began their winter ascent via the challenging Stüdlgrat route on January 18, 2025. Despite Gurtner’s relative inexperience in high-altitude alpine tours, they pressed on into the night. Webcam footage from the nearby Erzherzog-Johann-Hütte (Adlersruhe refuge) captured their headlamps near the summit, showing two lights initially before one continued alone around 2:30 a.m. on January 19.
Prosecutors claim Plamberger, as the more experienced climber and tour planner, committed multiple errors: starting the climb too late, ignoring deteriorating weather, allowing Gurtner to use unsuitable equipment (including soft snowboard boots and a splitboard), failing to signal a police helicopter that flew overhead around 10:50 p.m., delaying an emergency call until after 1:30 a.m., and not using available emergency blankets or a bivouac sack to shelter her.
A rescue helicopter was initially dispatched but aborted due to high winds. Gurtner’s body was recovered the following morning by ground rescuers, confirming hypothermia as the cause of death.
Plamberger denies wrongdoing, describing the incident as a “tragic, fateful accident” through his lawyer. He previously paid tribute to Gurtner on social media (posts now deleted), writing that her death “hurts so incredibly much” and that he misses her deeply.
The case has sparked debate in mountaineering circles about personal responsibility in extreme conditions versus legal accountability for decisions in high-risk activities.
Plamberger faces up to three years in prison if convicted. The trial is scheduled to begin in February 2026 at the Innsbruck Regional Court.
Gurtner, described by friends and family as a “winter child” and avid outdoor enthusiast, has been remembered fondly in online tributes as a beloved partner, daughter, and friend.