A 39-year-old man from Austria has been  charged with manslaughter after his 33-year-old girlfriend died from freezing cold on Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria. According to reports from The Metro, the woman was a beginner in high-altitude climbing and was not experienced enough for such a dangerous winter climb.

The incident happened in January during extremely bad weather. The woman reportedly became very tired, cold, and unable to continue just 150 feet below the 12,460-foot summit. Investigators say the man, who is an experienced mountaineer from Salzburg, left her alone for more than six hours while he went to look for help. When rescue teams finally reached her, she had already died from the severe cold.

Prosecutors argue that because the man had planned the trip and had years of alpine experience, he acted like a guide and carried more responsibility for her safety. They say he should not have taken an inexperienced person up the mountain in such dangerous winter conditions. He is now facing a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence, which could result in up to three years in prison if he is found guilty.

Investigations revealed several serious mistakes. The couple started their climb two hours late, which meant they were still on the mountain when darkness and stronger winds arrived. They also did not have the right emergency equipment. The woman was reportedly wearing soft snow boots and a splitboard, which are not suitable for steep, icy alpine terrain.

Weather conditions were extremely harsh, with strong winds of 46 mph and temperatures that felt like minus 20°C. Authorities say the man ignored several warning signs and continued climbing even though his girlfriend was struggling. They also claim he did not call for help early enough and even missed calls from rescuers because his phone was on silent. He finally made an emergency call at 3:30 am, several hours after leaving her.

A helicopter rescue was also delayed due to strong winds at dawn. When rescuers reached the woman at around 10 am, she had already passed away. The man's lawyer says it was a tragic accident, not a crime. The case will be heard at the Innsbruck Regional Court on February 19, 2026.