Mountaineer Leaves Girlfriend Behind on Minus 20-Degree Peak... Woman Dies After Being Abandoned

Collapsed Near the Summit
Key Issues: Lack of Emergency Equipment and Delayed Rescue Call

A woman in her 30s from Austria set out to climb the country's highest peak with her boyfriend, but after being left alone for six hours, she ultimately died.

According to the New York Post and other sources on December 6 (local time), a 39-year-old Austrian man, identified as A, an experienced professional mountaineer, has been indicted on charges of abandoning his 33-year-old girlfriend, identified as B, and leaving her to freeze to death on Austria's highest mountain.

A woman who died after attempting to climb Austria's highest peak (left) and her boyfriend who abandoned her and descended alone. Screenshot from social media (SNS)

The two, both from Salzburg, attempted to summit Austria's Grossglockner (3,798 meters) on the night of January 19. B became exhausted just short of the summit due to extreme cold, high altitude, and physical fatigue, making it impossible for her to continue. At the time, the temperature was around minus 20 degrees Celsius, and strong winds of up to 72 kilometers per hour made the perceived temperature even lower.

A claimed that around 2 a.m. that day, B began to struggle and could no longer continue. Despite his extensive climbing experience, he did not provide his girlfriend, who was a beginner, with bivouac gear or an emergency blanket when descending. As a result, B was left disoriented and suffering from hypothermia, and ultimately died from exposure. She was found about 150 feet (approximately 45 to 50 meters) below the summit.

Prosecutors found during their investigation that the pair started their climb two hours later than planned and did not carry appropriate emergency equipment. Furthermore, B reportedly attempted the dangerous high-altitude climb wearing inadequate clothing. Prosecutors also allege that A, who planned and led the climb as a "responsible guide," ignored warning signs and continued the ascent, and delayed calling for rescue. At the time, A had set his mobile phone to silent mode, causing him to miss several calls from rescuers.

The emergency report was not filed until around 3:30 a.m., after a delay of about an hour and a half. In addition, strong winds delayed the helicopter rescue, and rescuers were only able to reach the site at around 10 a.m. A's lawyer described the incident as "nothing but a tragic accident."

Currently, A has been indicted on charges of gross negligence resulting in manslaughter, and if convicted, could face up to three years in prison. The case is scheduled to be heard at the Innsbruck District Court on February 19 next year.