A 39-year-old climber is facing trial in Innsbruckover the death of his girlfriend during a winter ascent of Grossglockner, the highest peak in Austria. Thomas Plamberger has been charged with gross negligent manslaughter following the January 19, 2025 tragedy that claimed the life of 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner. Her body was discovered approximately 150 feet below the mountain’s 12,460-foot summit after severe overnight weather conditions swept across the area. Plamberger has pleaded not guilty, insisting the incident was a devastating accident rather than a criminal act. The case has drawn significant public attention, raising difficult questions about responsibility, risk, and decision-making in extreme alpine environments.

Court proceedings have outlined the sequence of events leading up to Gurtner’s death. Prosecutors allege that the couple encountered serious challenges in the early hours of the morning as they approached the summit. Gurtner, described as the less experienced climber, reportedly began struggling in deteriorating conditions. Temperatures dropped to around minus 8 degrees Celsius, with windchill making it feel closer to minus 20. According to authorities, Plamberger left her around 2 a.m. to seek assistance and did not return for several hours. Rescue teams reached the scene the next morning but were unable to revive her. In testimony, Plamberger stated that Gurtner urged him to go for help, recalling her final words as encouraging him to “go now” in hopes of saving them both.

The prosecution argues that Plamberger’s greater mountaineering experience and his role in organizing the climb placed a heightened duty of care on him. Officials contend he should have ensured safer conditions before attempting the summit, particularly given the winter weather forecast. They allege he failed to move Gurtner to a more sheltered location or provide additional protective equipment that might have helped her withstand the freezing temperatures. Prosecutors also question whether emergency services were contacted promptly, noting claims that some calls were delayed and that attempts to reach Plamberger by phone went unanswered during critical hours.