Thomas Plamberger, a 39-year-old climber, is on trial in Austria for the alleged manslaughter of his girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner, who died from hypothermia during a climb on the Grossglockner mountain in January 2024. Plamberger claims that Gurtner urged him to leave her behind as they approached the summit, just 150 feet away, amidst dangerous weather conditions, as temperatures plummeted to -20C.

During the trial, the prosecutor stated that Plamberger acted with gross negligence, citing his inadequate preparation and failure to seek timely assistance for Gurtner, who was reportedly left in a vulnerable and disoriented state. The legal proceedings have raised questions about the responsibilities climbers have for their partners in extreme conditions and whether Plamberger's actions amounted to a criminal neglect.

Plamberger faces a potential sentence of up to three years in prison if convicted. The case not only highlights the risks associated with mountaineering but also underscores the moral and ethical dilemmas climbers may face when decisions must be made in life-threatening situations, particularly regarding the treatment of fellow climbers in distress.