Two German mountaineers are under police investigation in Austria after allegedly abandoning a companion who was struggling to continue during an ascent on the Hochkönig mountain range. The three climbers began their journey on the Königsjodler trail Saturday afternoon, despite unfavorable weather forecasts and a warning from another climber.
By the time the group reached an altitude of 8,500 feet, one member was unable to proceed further. His companions, however, continued their climb and successfully reached the summit at 9,600 feet.
Rescue Operation
The Mühlbach Mountain Rescue Service was alerted to the situation of the "exhausted" climber and initiated a 14-hour rescue operation. The climber was eventually brought to safety. Gerhard Kremser, district manager of the Pongau Mountain Rescue Service, stated that the individual likely would not have survived the night on the mountain given the prevailing conditions.
The harsh weather conditions significantly complicated the rescue efforts. Wolfgang Haggenmüller, head of operations for the Mühlbach Mountain Rescue Service, described the ascent as challenging for the rescue team.
An Instagram post from the mountain rescue team detailed the difficult circumstances, noting approximately 20 cm of snow had fallen, obscuring the path and creating a significant risk of falling. Visibility was poor, and the team did not reach the Erichhütte until 8:18 AM.
Kremser emphasized that such incidents highlight the dangers of overconfidence, disregarding warnings, and inadequate route planning, stressing the importance of knowing when to turn back.
Previous Incident
This event follows a similar case in Austria where a man was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence after his girlfriend died of hypothermia during an attempt to climb the country's highest peak last year. In February, Thomas Plamberger received a five-month suspended sentence and a fine for the incident that occurred in January 2025 on the Grossglockner. Prosecutors stated his girlfriend died approximately 164 feet below the summit after he left her behind. The judge noted that Plamberger had misjudged the situation but did not intentionally abandon her, though he failed to exercise leadership responsibility.