THEhe mountains have always exercised an irresistible charm: their hidden paths promise freedom, transformation and discovery. But it is not without dangers. In recent years hiking, trekking and mountaineering have become popular sports and above all many couples have chosen to share these experiences Together. Recently on social media a term resonatesalready existing in mountain culture for a long time: alpine divorce. The term, also used by the writer Robert Barr for a novel by 1893he describes an increasingly common phenomenon: the abandonment of a less experienced person in critical situations while hiking or climbing. Media attention exploded after a video has exceeded 4.2 million likes on TikTok: in the images a girl in tears says she was stuck on a path after being left alone by her partner.
After the video a series of similar testimonies kicked off the debate: the “Alpine divorce” exists and has a strong gender connotation. In fact, many women have said they were left alone in the mountains, an abandonment that often represents the epilogue of prevaricating, belittling or abusive behavior on the part of partners.
What is the “Alpine divorce”?
The term circulates in culture outdoor for a long time and concerns critical situations in which a more experienced person abandons a less experienced partner during a hiking, climbing or outdoor adventure. The most widespread stories concern womenleft alone by more confident partners who don’t wait, ignore signs of difficulty or make impulsive decisions. Robert Barr’s novelnot surprisingly, uses the term alpine divorce to tell the story of a voluntary and organized murder: a husband who, to get rid of his wife, takes her on an excursion to the Alps. In most cases there is no malicious intentexposure to danger arises from inattention, impatience or mistakes made by the more experienced partner. Why does it become a gender issue? often this abandonment comes from stereotypes linked to masculinity, speed and resistance, which push men to prioritize their own performance over the safety of their partner.
The impact on women
Women are the most affected, not due to natural fragility, obviously, but due to historical barriers, lack of role models and cultural discouragement which kept them away from technical mountaineering and guiding roles. This disparity creates dependence on the partner and increases the risk of abandonment. Julie Ellisonformer director of Climbing magazineobserve on The Guardian: «There is an element of male ego, not necessarily bad or intentional, but which often has a negative effect on those left behind». Many women are partly dependent on their partners for guidance, equipment or knowledge of the route, and this makes them vulnerable.
The Plamberger-Gurtner case
The discussion has put the spotlight back on a recent news story: the case Plamberger-Gurtner, January 2025. Kerstin Gurtner she died of hypothermia while climbing the Grossglockner, the highest peak in Austria. The companion Thomas Plamberger he had left her to get help. The Innsbruck court he condemned him to five months in prison with a suspended sentence and a fine of 9,600 euros for aggravated manslaughter. The prosecution highlighted the disparity in experience between the two. Plamberger knew the route better and had organized the ascent, while Kerstin had no experience at high altitude. Plus it wasn’t the first time it had happened. A former partner had testified that she had been abandoned after an argument by the same man on the same route in 2023.
An important legal precedent
The Innsbruck ruling established a clear principle: those who have more experience in the mountains have a real responsibility towards their less experienced partner. Skill inequality cannot be ignored and abandonment in high-risk contexts is a crime. «Walking in front of your partner without paying attention to her needs is not just rudeness – explains the New York therapist specializing in relationships Doriel Jacov explains to The Guardian – it can have real consequences and in some cases constitute an abusive dynamic».
Rethinking mountain culture
The Plamberger-Gurtner case and the videos on social media have reopened an important debate: responsibility in the mountains cannot be left to chance. Plan together, choose paths suitable for both of you, guarantee autonomy and safety, distinguish freedom from abandonment. These are the fundamental rules to make the mountain a truly transformative and liberating space for everyone.
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