Austrian climber charged with manslaughter after allegedly abandoning partner on mountain

Austrian authorities are probing the death of a 33-year-old novice climber who froze on the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria, after her partner allegedly left her during a difficult ascent. 

Prosecutors say the pair began the climb late, without proper emergency equipment, and were caught in severe weather.

Web-camera footage from the mountain captured critical moments before the woman collapsed.

Her partner, a 39-year-old experienced mountaineer from Salzburg, is now charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. 

Investigators argue he acted as an informal guide and carried responsibility for her safety, especially given her limited altitude experience. 

They say he continued toward the summit and left her unattended for more than six hours, later missing several calls from rescuers.

The man claims he sought help before losing phone connection, but prosecutors maintain his decisions directly contributed to her death. 

"It's a story with more questions than answers…the speculation is, was it deliberate or did he just think, you're really a bad climber, I'm going to just leave you there," says Primedia's Digital Content Editor, Barbara Friedman.

To listen to Barbara Friedman in conversation with CapeTalk's Clarence Ford, click the audio below: