The Mountain

This segment details the ill-fated attempt by Thomas Plamberger and Kerstin Gertner to summit Grossglockner in the Austrian Alps in January 2025. Despite warnings about the dangerous route and severe weather conditions, the couple proceeded with their climb, eventually becoming stranded on the mountain.

This segment details the tragic death of Kerstin due to hypothermia while climbing the Grossglockner mountain with Thomas Plamberger. Following the incident, Austrian prosecutors charged Plamberger with grossly negligent homicide, citing his role as a more experienced climber and legal guarantor.

This segment examines a landmark criminal case in Austria where a mountaineer faced charges following the death of his climbing partner. Experts discuss the legal responsibilities of a guide or leader and analyze the specific safety failures that led to the fatal incident.

This segment examines the legal proceedings against Thomas Plamberger following a fatal mountaineering incident. It explores the complexities of decision-making in high-altitude environments and the specific judicial expertise required for Alpine-related cases.

The segment details testimony from a legal proceeding regarding a mountaineering incident involving Thomas and Kerstin. Thomas describes his lack of formal training, the planning of their trip, and the events leading to his decision to leave Kerstin on the mountain.

The trial of Thomas Plamberger concluded with a guilty verdict regarding the death of his partner, Kerstin Gurtner, on a mountain climb. The court examined testimony from an ex-girlfriend and evidence from smartwatches to determine Plamberger's responsibility as an experienced alpinist.

Host Phoebe Judge provides the production credits for the podcast Criminal and promotes the show's membership program, Criminal Plus. She also directs listeners to the show's social media channels and mentions its affiliation with the Vox Media Podcast Network.