More than a year after a 33-year-old woman died of hypothermia on Austria's highest mountain, her boyfriend is set to face trial on charges of negligent manslaughter. The tragedy occurred after the couple attempted to climb the 3,798-meter tall Grossglockner, where the woman succumbed to the elements while being left by her partner, who went to seek help in the early hours of January 19, 2025.

The 36-year-old man is accused of leaving her in an exhausted and vulnerable state, as the couple found themselves in stormy weather near the summit. Prosecutors argue that the man should be considered a responsible guide during their climbing expedition due to his greater experience in high-altitude alpine climbs, stating that he planned the trip and was much more familiar with the challenges they faced than his girlfriend.

The core question in the case revolves around the limits of personal judgment and the willingness to take risks, raising significant points about criminal liability in outdoor adventure scenarios. As the trial unfolds, it will examine the ethical responsibilities climbers owe to each other on perilous excursions, particularly when one's decisions can lead to severe consequences for others.