The climatologist from Salzburg died just 50 meters below the summit of the 3,800-meter Grossglockner, where temperatures had dropped to –20°C. She began to struggle during the climb and could no longer continue.

Her partner, 39-year-old Thomas Plamberger, an experienced mountaineer, decided to leave her alone on the mountain for 6.5 hours to get help—without moving her to a sheltered area.

Kerstin’s social media accounts are filled with photos of her and Plamberger hiking and climbing together. She described herself as a “winter child” and a “mountain person.”

Plamberger now faces charges of negligent homicide. Prosecutors argue that he abandoned her for hours in deadly cold conditions. They say he left her exhausted, hypothermic, and disoriented in the dark while he descended alone.

“We think of you so often”

Friends and family have created an online memorial page in her honor.
“Rest in peace in heaven!” one person wrote, while another added: “Behind the tears of sorrow lies the smile of remembrance.”
“We still think of you so often!” her loved ones wrote.

Inexperienced for such demanding climbs

Rescue teams were unable to reach Kerstin until the next morning due to hurricane-force winds. They found her dead a few meters below the summit cross.

Although Plamberger was an experienced climber, Kerstin herself lacked experience for such long, high-altitude climbs. According to prosecutors, the couple was “poorly equipped” and “did not call for help,” and Plamberger left her behind when he went down the mountain.