Thomas Plamberger, 39, stood trial in Innsbruck on February 19, 2026, charged with grossly negligent manslaughter in the January 2025 death of his girlfriend Kerstin Gurtner, 33, who froze to death just 150 feet below the 12,461-foot summit of Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain. The case has gripped the mountaineering community and sparked intense debate over responsibility in extreme conditions, with Plamberger insisting throughout proceedings that Gurtner repeatedly urged him to descend alone for help.

The couple set out on January 18, 2025, for a technical winter ascent of the Großglockner’s Stüdlgrat route, a demanding mixed climb involving rock, ice, and snow. Plamberger, an experienced alpinist, and Gurtner, less seasoned but enthusiastic, planned an overnight push to the summit. Weather deteriorated rapidly overnight, with temperatures plunging to -20°C (-4°F) and winds exceeding 45 mph. Prosecutors allege that around 2 a.m. on January 19, after a rope jam and exhaustion set in, Gurtner became hypothermic, disoriented, and unable to continue.

According to Plamberger’s testimony and his attorney Kurt Jelinek, Gurtner shouted at him to “Go, now go!” multiple times after he spent over 90 minutes trying to warm and motivate her. She reportedly pushed his hand away when he attempted to replace her jacket and insisted he seek help rather than stay and risk both their lives. Plamberger descended alone, reaching cell service and activating an SOS at the earliest opportunity. He told police he was “endlessly sorry” but believed he followed her explicit instructions in a life-or-death moment.

The Innsbruck prosecutor’s office charged him with grossly negligent homicide, arguing that as the more experienced climber and de facto guide, Plamberger failed to turn back earlier, call for support in time, or use available gear (including an emergency bivy and extra clothing) to protect Gurtner while awaiting rescue. They pointed out that Gurtner’s body was found dangling from the rope on the rock face, suggesting she had been left hanging in exposed conditions for hours before succumbing to hypothermia.

A surprise witness—Plamberger’s ex-girlfriend Andrea Bergener—further damaged his defense. She testified that in 2023 he had abandoned her alone on the same mountain after an argument during a summer ascent, leaving her with only a headlamp while he descended. The court viewed this as evidence of a pattern of prioritizing self-preservation over partners in distress.

Judge Hofer ultimately convicted Plamberger of gross negligent manslaughter, handing down a five-month suspended prison sentence and a €9,600 fine (approximately $10,300). The verdict is not yet final; Plamberger has three days to appeal. The judge described his actions as “callous at best,” noting inconsistencies between his account and the position in which Gurtner’s body was recovered.

The case has divided the climbing world. Many experienced alpinists defend Plamberger, arguing that advanced hypothermia often causes irrational behavior, including refusal of help and insistence that partners leave. “You can’t force someone to move if they’re combative or delusional,” one veteran climber commented on forums. Others condemn him outright: “You never leave your partner behind—especially not in -20°C with wind. He had gear, time, and options. He chose to walk away.”

Gurtner’s family expressed devastation through their lawyer: “Emily deserved someone who would stay until help arrived or until the end. We seek justice for her.” Friends remembered her as adventurous and trusting, relying on Plamberger’s expertise during their relationship.

The Grossglockner tragedy has prompted renewed calls for education on cold-weather decision-making. Austrian alpine organizations report increased inquiries about handling hypothermic partners, and several climbing gyms now offer specialized workshops on responsibility in backcountry partnerships. Legal experts note the high bar for criminal negligence in such cases: prosecutors must prove actions fell far below what a reasonable, trained climber would do.

Plamberger remains free pending any appeal. The case underscores harsh realities of winter mountaineering: rapid weather changes, physical limits, and split-second decisions that can end lives. For Gurtner’s loved ones, the outcome offers partial closure but no reversal of the loss—a young woman left alone on a frozen ridge, waiting for rescue that arrived too late.

The Grossglockner, long a symbol of alpine beauty and challenge, now carries a darker association: a reminder that in the mountains, trust and responsibility can mean the difference between life and death.