The woman who died after being left near the summit of Austria’s highest peak has been identified as 33-year-old Kerstin Gurtner, authorities and reports say. Gurtner died on January 19 less than 150 feet below the summit of Grossglockner during a night ascent led by her boyfriend, 39-year-old mountaineer Thomas Plamberger.
Gurtner, who portrayed herself on social media as a winter- and mountain-oriented person, reportedly had limited experience with high-altitude alpine climbing. Plamberger, described as an experienced climber, has been charged with negligent homicide for planning and guiding the difficult winter ascent, which involved climbing more than 12,000 feet in temperatures around −4°F.
According to the Innsbruck public prosecutor’s office, the couple became effectively stranded at about 8:50 p.m. Prosecutors say they saw a police helicopter near 10:50 p.m., but Plamberger did not call for help or signal distress. Webcam footage later showed the climbers’ temporary camp high on the mountain; Gurtner was later found dead at that location.
Authorities allege that at roughly 2:00 a.m. Plamberger left Gurtner — described as exhausted, hypothermic and disoriented — about 50 meters below the summit cross and did not use available emergency blankets to protect her. Investigators say he continued alone toward the peak and then descended without her; a trail camera captured him descending at about 2:30 a.m. He reportedly contacted emergency services around 3:30 a.m., by which time Gurtner had succumbed to the conditions.
Plamberger’s lawyer has characterized the death as a tragic accident. A memorial page for Gurtner has drawn tributes from friends and strangers offering condolences. Plamberger has been charged and his trial is expected to start in February; if convicted he faces up to three years in prison.
