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Trial begins over fatal Grossglockner climb
Thomas P faces charges of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend, Kerstin G, died of hypothermia during a winter ascent of Austria's Grossglockner in January 2025. The case has ignited debate over accountability in mountain sports.
Prosecution alleges series of critical errors
State prosecutors in Innsbruck accuse the 33-year-old defendant of acting as the "responsible guide" for the expedition but failing to ensure safety. They cite nine alleged mistakes, including:
- Starting the climb two hours behind schedule;
- Bringing insufficient emergency bivouac equipment;
- Allowing Kerstin G to wear snowboard boots unsuitable for high-altitude terrain;
- Ignoring warnings to turn back amid winds reaching 74 km/h (45 mph) and temperatures plunging to -20°C with windchill.
Prosecutors argue the defendant, an experienced climber, should have recognized the risks posed by his girlfriend's lack of preparation for a winter ascent of the 3,798-meter (12,460-foot) peak.
Defense portrays tragedy as shared misjudgment
Thomas P's lawyer, Kurt Jelinek, denies criminal negligence, calling the incident a "tragic accident." In a statement, Jelinek said the couple jointly planned the trip, believing themselves "sufficiently experienced, adequately prepared, and well equipped." Both had prior alpine experience and were in "very good physical condition," he added.
The defense claims the pair reached a critical point-Frühstücksplatz-by 13:30 on January 18, where turning back became impossible. Jelinek stated neither climber felt "exhausted or overwhelmed" at the time, and they pressed onward.
Disputed timeline of events on the mountain
Prosecutors allege the couple became stranded at 20:50, with the defendant failing to signal a passing police helicopter at 22:50. Jelinek countered that the pair felt fine and were near the summit, so no distress call was made.
Webcam footage captured their torchlights ascending the mountain. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly. According to Jelinek, Kerstin G suddenly showed "increased signs of exhaustion," leaving no safe retreat. At 00:35, Thomas P called mountain police, though the conversation's content remains unclear. Police claim he later silenced his phone and ignored follow-up calls.
The defendant reportedly left his girlfriend at 02:00, 40 meters (130 feet) below the summit, to seek help. Prosecutors argue he failed to use emergency blankets or other protective gear. He descended the peak and alerted emergency services at 03:30, but high winds grounded rescue helicopters overnight. Kerstin G succumbed to hypothermia alone on the mountainside.
Broader implications for mountain sports
Austria's Der Standard warns a guilty verdict could trigger a "paradigm shift" in mountain sports, raising questions about when personal risk-taking crosses into criminal liability. If convicted, Thomas P faces up to three years in prison.
Kerstin G's social media profiles depict her as an enthusiastic mountaineer, while her mother told German media she loved nighttime hikes. Jelinek expressed his client's remorse, saying Thomas P "would like to express his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased."
What's next
The trial opens Thursday in Austria, with proceedings expected to scrutinize the couple's preparation, decisions on the mountain, and the legal boundaries of responsibility in extreme sports. A verdict could set a precedent for future cases involving climber liability.
