Alpine Divorce

[jamesdeluxe]

By now, I'm sure that everyone here has read about the Austrian man who was convicted of gross negligent manslaughter for abandoning his girlfriend on the biggest mountain in the country, the Grossglockner, during the middle of winter. Still, who knew that "alpine divorce" was an actual thing that's been around for well north of 100 years?

If He Leaves You on a Mountain, End Your Relationship

The “Alpine divorce,” in which one partner leaves another stranded while hiking, is more serious than the name implies.

www.nytimes.com

So prevalent, it appears, that the article name-checks an excellent short story published in 1893 about, well, an aggrieved British couple out on a perambulation in the Alps.

 

[ChrisC]

Female co-workers have been warning of this phenomena.

In other news, my MBA friend proposed to his now wife in Whistler about half way down Whistler Bowl. Unfortunately, soft snow caused him to slip when kneeling (no skis, only boots) and he lost the ring ...... for almost 15-20 minutes.


Worked out in the end.

 

[Sbooker]

By now, I'm sure that everyone here has read about the Austrian man who was convicted of gross negligent manslaughter for abandoning his girlfriend on the biggest mountain in the country, the Grossglockner, during the middle of winter. Still, who knew that "alpine divorce" was an actual thing that's been around for well north of 100 years?

If He Leaves You on a Mountain, End Your Relationship

The “Alpine divorce,” in which one partner leaves another stranded while hiking, is more serious than the name implies.

www.nytimes.com

So prevalent, it appears, that the article name-checks an excellent short story published in 1893 about, well, an aggrieved British couple out on a perambulation in the Alps.

I was skiing with a couple at Mammoth a number of years ago and the lady was 'stuck' stationary on a slope that was or nears Dave's Run. The lady was a long way behind back up the slope so I expressed my concern to the fellow *cough cough* and he replied (I'm paraphrasing) "I've worked out that it's best just to leave her work it out herself". As it happened she got moving again a minute or two later. I think the trouble was related to a dicky knee.

 

[ChrisC]

I would be more afraid of cruises:

Police release husband of woman reported missing after going overboard in Bahamas: Attorney

The couple was en route to their yacht, Soulmate, on April 4 when bad weather caused Lynette Hooker to fall overboard, her husband told authorities.

abcnews.com

Recent Cruise Deaths/Incidents Involving the Bahamas:

Celebration Key Drownings (Aug 2025): Two passengers, one from Carnival Mardi Gras and one from Carnival Elation, died at the new private destination in separate incidents. Both were assisted by lifeguards and received CPR, according to ABC News.

Homicide Investigation (Nov 2025/April 2026): 18-year-old Anna Kepner died on a Carnival cruise, with her stepbrother facing first-degree murder charges by 2026, notes FOX News and CBS42.

Suspicious Death (March 2024): A 27-year-old Florida woman was found dead in her cabin on a cruise vessel arriving in the Bahamas, with suspected cocaine found in the room and a 32-year-old man arrested, reports CBS News.

Missing Person Case (Sept 2023): Keith McGrath disappeared on a cruise from Miami to the Bahamas; a extensive US Coast Guard search was unsuccessful, says Miami New Times.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

"it's best just to leave her to work it out herself".

It's not quite the same as an Alpine Divorce but the same general vicinity -- there's a difference between an expert skier a) pushing a lower-level partner slightly out of his/her comfort zone and b) putting that person at severe risk on DFU terrain. I had the latter happen to me during my first few years of skiing (once in the Lech sidecountry, Whiteface's Slide 4, and a couple others that I've blocked out) and didn't appreciate it.

 

[ChrisC]

Whiteface's Slide 4,

lol

 

[jamesdeluxe]

lol

Why LOL?

FYI, it was my first year downhill skiing (the incredible winter of 2001) and I had no business being on any of the Slides but especially that one! This was well before they began measures to reduce the number of people skiing the Slides. Some guy with whom I'd shared the summit chair told me that I could do it, especially with its generous base. He went first and left me standing there!

 

[ChrisC]

The Slides are definitely one of the Top 5 most difficult ski routes in the East - primarily because it has immovable challenges like rocks, cliffs, waterfalls, trees - which do not allow an easy escape path.

It is likely one of the worst areas to be lured into - especially due to a FOMA sentiment on the rare day the Slides are open with good conditions.

 

[ShiftyRider]

my MBA friend proposed...lost the ring

@snowave woulda found it!

 

[Harvey]

The Slides are definitely one of the Top 5 most difficult ski routes in the East

I'm assuming you mean lift served.