A climber on Austria’s highest peak is now facing serious charges after his girlfriend froze to death during a winter ascent — a case made all the more chilling by webcam footage that appears to show their final trek.
The 33-year-old woman collapsed roughly 160 feet below the summit of Grossglockner in January after she became exhausted and unable to continue. Her partner, a 36-year-old experienced mountaineer acting as her guide, proceeded to the summit while she remained alone in harsh alpine conditions.
According to prosecutors, he failed to shelter her from severe wind chills, neglected to wrap her in emergency thermal blankets or call for help immediately, and neglected to alert rescuers after a helicopter flew overhead shortly after midnight. The man reportedly only contacted emergency services at 3:30 a.m., after hiking down alone; by the time rescue teams reached her later that morning, she had already succumbed to the cold.
The victim was new to high-altitude climbs and ill-prepared for a demanding winter ascent via the steep and technical Studlgrat ridge. Prosecutors argue the man ignored her inexperience and disregarded clear risk — leading to charges of grossly negligent manslaughter.
If convicted, the boyfriend could face up to three years behind bars. The case has sparked wide attention across the mountaineering community and beyond, with many asking how a climb of this magnitude was permitted under such dangerous conditions — and why the pair went ahead despite obvious warning signs.
The evidence now under review includes webcam footage, rescue records, and testimonies from alpine police and fellow climbers. The man is expected to appear in court in early 2026.