Austrian climber Thomas Plamberger denies manslaughter charges as trial hears girlfriend Kerstin Gurtner froze to death near the summit of Grossglockner in Innsbruck

High in the Austrian Alps, where the air becomes razor-sharp and the cold can overwhelm even the strongest climbers, a planned adventure ended in loss.

What was supposed to be another mountain journey for a couple who loved hiking became an international story of heartbreak, blame, and unanswered questions.

At the centre of the case is Thomas Plamberger, an amateur climber now facing trial after his girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, died near the summit of Austria’s highest mountain.

The Final Hours on Grossglockner

The tragedy unfolded in January 2024 on Grossglockner, a peak rising more than 12,000 feet above sea level.

Kerstin, 33, died only about 150 feet below the summit cross as temperatures plunged to a brutal minus 20 degrees Celsius.

The climb had stretched deep into the evening.

The couple had set off early, but by around 6 p.m., webcam footage captured the glow of two headtorches still edging upward.

Hours later, only one light could be seen moving down.

Rescue teams were unable to reach Kerstin until the next day because of hurricane-force winds, and by then she had frozen to death.

Plamberger Breaks His Silence in Court

In Innsbruck, Plamberger spoke publicly for the first time, blinking back tears as he addressed the courtroom.

He pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

His defence rests heavily on one claim: that Kerstin told him to go.

According to Plamberger and his lawyer, he stayed with her for around an hour and a half in freezing conditions before she allegedly shouted for him to continue and get help.

When the judge asked how he was feeling at the opening of the hearing, Plamberger simply replied that he felt “good,” a moment that drew attention in a packed courtroom filled with international media.

Prosecutors Say His Decisions Were Deadly

Authorities argue that the situation was far more serious than Plamberger admits.

The indictment states that he left Kerstin exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented, without proper protection, about 50 metres below the summit.

Prosecutors claim the climb was poorly planned and that the couple were not properly equipped for such harsh winter conditions.

Kerstin, they say, was wearing soft snowboard boots instead of suitable alpine footwear.

They also allege Plamberger carried insufficient emergency equipment and failed to bring her to a wind-protected area before leaving.

Even more damaging is the accusation that he did not send distress signals when a police helicopter flew low over the area later that night, despite recognising that her condition was critical.

Experience, Responsibility, and the Question of Leadership

Plamberger told the court he was not a mountain guide, only an amateur mountaineer.

Although he served in the Austrian army, he said his alpine knowledge was mostly self-taught.

He admitted he had climbed Grossglockner around 14 or 15 times and had even studied internet videos to learn more about mountain conditions.

That experience is precisely why prosecutors argue he should be considered the responsible leader of the climb.

They believe Kerstin was far less experienced and had never undertaken an alpine high-altitude tour of that length, making her more vulnerable in extreme winter weather.

The case raises a painful question that goes beyond the courtroom: when two people climb together, who is responsible when one collapses?

Kerstin’s Mother Offers Unexpected Support

One of the most surprising elements of the trial is that Kerstin’s mother has defended Plamberger publicly.

She expressed anger at the way her daughter has been portrayed as naive or helpless, insisting Kerstin was strong, capable, and deeply connected to the mountains.

She also criticised the intense online backlash against Plamberger, describing it as a media-driven witch hunt before the court has reached a verdict.

A Couple United by the Mountains

Friends and investigators noted that Kerstin and Plamberger shared a passion for climbing.

Her social media was filled with photos of snowy peaks and hiking adventures, and she described herself as a “winter child” and a “mountain person.”

Plamberger told the court they had been together for about a year and were planning to move in together.

What was meant to be another shared challenge became the last journey of Kerstin’s life.

The Trial Continues Under Global Attention

The courtroom in Innsbruck has been packed, with reporters and spectators lining up from early morning.

Fifteen witnesses are expected to testify, including rescue workers, the helicopter pilot, forensic experts, and relatives of both Kerstin and Plamberger.

The trial is expected to conclude later this week, but the emotional weight of the case will likely linger long after the final decision.

Other Known Facts About Winter Alpine Accidents

Grossglockner is one of Austria’s most famous climbs, but winter ascents are notoriously dangerous.

Even experienced mountaineers can be overwhelmed by sudden weather shifts, fierce winds, whiteout conditions, and rapid hypothermia.

Rescue missions are often delayed or impossible during storms, meaning climbers must rely heavily on preparation, emergency gear, and the willingness to turn back early.

This tragedy has already reignited discussions in Austria about safety expectations and responsibility during amateur high-altitude expeditions.

What’s Next?

In the coming days, the court will decide whether Thomas Plamberger’s actions amount to criminal negligence or whether this was a devastating accident shaped by unforgiving mountain conditions.

Key questions remain about whether Kerstin could have been saved if help was called sooner, whether Plamberger acted responsibly given his greater experience, and whether the events of that night were truly beyond anyone’s control.

The verdict could become an important precedent for future cases involving informal climbing partners and winter mountain tragedies.

Summary

Thomas Plamberger is standing trial in Austria, accused of negligent homicide after his girlfriend Kerstin Gurtner froze to death near the summit of Grossglockner in January 2024.

He insists she told him to leave and that he went to seek help, while prosecutors argue he made multiple fatal errors, including poor preparation, lack of emergency equipment, and failure to alert rescuers quickly enough.

With witnesses still to testify, the case continues to draw worldwide attention as the court weighs whether this was a tragic accident or criminal negligence on the mountain.