"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. The case has drawn media attention worldwide, for what if any precedent it could set for climbers and mountaineers involved in accidents."
"At the heart of the case was Thomas P's fateful decision to climb a high-altitude mixed snow and rock route on the 3,798-metre (12,461ft) Groglockner in poor weather conditions with insufficient safety equipment, as well as errors of decision making, including failing to turn back late at night below the summit when it would have been safe to do so."
A court in Innsbruck convicted amateur climber Thomas P of manslaughter after he left his girlfriend Kerstin G to die on a winter ascent. Judge Norbert Hofer, a climber and mountains law expert, ruled that the large disparity in skills made Thomas a de facto mountain guide despite no payment. The ruling raises questions about a duty of care between experienced and novice participants in mountain sports and is expected to be appealed. The case centered on Thomas's decision to attempt a high-altitude mixed route on the 3,798-metre Groglockner in poor weather with inadequate equipment. Prosecutors listed nine errors, including taking an inexperienced partner and leaving her alone.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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