More than a year after a 33-year-old woman froze to death during a climbing expedition on Austria’s highest mountain, her boyfriend is set to stand trial on Thursday charged with gross negligent manslaughter.
Kerstin G died from hypothermia during a winter ascent of the 3,798-metre Grossglockner on 19 January 2025. Prosecutors allege that she was left exhausted and inadequately protected near the summit in severe storm conditions while her partner descended to seek assistance.
The case has drawn widespread attention, extending beyond Austria to the international mountaineering community, where questions over responsibility and risk in extreme sports have reignited debate.
Prosecutors Allege Series of Critical Errors
According to state prosecutors in Innsbruck, the accused — identified by Austrian media as Thomas P — was the more experienced climber and had organised the expedition. Authorities argue that he effectively acted as the “responsible guide for the tour” and should have made the decision to turn back earlier or call for help before conditions worsened.
Prosecutors have outlined nine alleged errors said to have been made during the climb, maintaining that the accused failed to properly assess the risks posed by the winter weather and his partner’s limited high-altitude experience.
It is further alleged that the victim had never previously completed an Alpine tour of comparable length, altitude or technical difficulty.
Defence Maintains It Was a Tragic Accident
Thomas P denies the charge. His lawyer, Karl Jelinek, has described the incident as a “tragic accident”, rejecting claims that his client bears criminal responsibility for the outcome.
At the heart of the proceedings lies a broader legal question: when does personal judgement in high-risk sports cross the threshold into criminal liability?
A conviction, commentators suggest, could mark a significant turning point for mountain sports in Austria, potentially reshaping expectations of responsibility among experienced climbers leading less seasoned companions.
