‘The costs could rise’: Austria conviction could impact climbing across Europe

Amateur climber's manslaughter conviction over girlfriend's death could put people off activity, say experts

• Climber convicted of manslaughter after leaving girlfriend on Austria's highest peak to seek help

The decision of an Austrian court sitting in Innsbruck to convict an amateur climber of manslaughter after he had left his girlfriend behind to die on an Alpine peak in winter is certain to be examined closely throughout Europe.

In his decision, the judge, Norbert Hofer - a climber, and an expert in Austrian law relating to the mountains - ruled that the galaxies-wide" disparity in experience and skills between Thomas P and his late girlfriend Kerstin G meant that he had been de facto acting as her mountain guide as a favour" despite no financial arrangement having been involved.