Story perspectives

Climber Convicted After Alpine Abandonment Sparks “Alpine Divorce” Trend.

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Climber Thomas P. was convicted of manslaughter after abandoning his girlfriend on Austria’s Grossglockner, where she froze to death.
The hashtag “alpine divorce” went viral on TikTok and Instagram as women share abandonment stories.
Behavioral psychologist Jo Hemmings links the abandonment trend to avoidant attachment and male empathy deficits.
Ultra-athlete Laurie Singer said she was left alone with food and altitude sickness on the John Muir Trail, forcing her to get help.

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Story summary

Climber Thomas P. was convicted of manslaughter after abandoning his girlfriend on Austria’s Grossglockner, where she froze to death.
The hashtag “alpine divorce” went viral on TikTok and Instagram as women share abandonment stories.
Behavioral psychologist Jo Hemmings links the abandonment trend to avoidant attachment and male empathy deficits.
Ultra-athlete Laurie Singer said she was left alone with food and altitude sickness on the John Muir Trail, forcing her to get help.