More than a year after a 33-year-old woman froze to death on Austria’s highest mountain, her boyfriend goes on trial on Thursday accused of gross negligent manslaughter.
Kerstin G died of hypothermia on a mountain climbing trip to the Grossglockner that went horribly wrong. Her boyfriend is accused of leaving her unprotected and exhausted close to the summit in stormy conditions in the early hours of 19 January 2025, while he went to get help.
The trial has sparked interest and debate, not just in Austria but in mountain climbing communities far beyond its borders.
That … is wonderfully placed. I can see the prosecutor saying it, stopping to check notes, and then continuing.
Allowed her to wear? Does he control her wardrobe?
He cannot force her to wear anything, but as the experienced climber he can deny the tour/guidance. If you have the skill, but neglect to use them in human fashion, that makes it more than an accident.
He was considerably more experienced as a climber. And even I could tell you not to go mountain climbing in snowboarding boots.
If I were to take someone mountain climbing I wouldn’t allow them to wear life threatening clothing.
Yeah I was wondering about that too, it only makes sense in a context where he’s much much more knowledgeable about mountaineering than her.
Fun fact: … is called an ellipsis.
Never understood that name. What’s so elliptical about it?
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ellipsis
Oh!
Well that makes sense. Thank you.
So an elliptical trajectory is also called that because it “falls short” of a circular one?
https://www.etymonline.com/word/ellipse
Edit: yes
That tidbit right there takes in a darker direction.
Otherwise, I’d say just leaving someone when you’re both freezing to death is scummy, but understandable.