An "Alpine Divorce" is Not All That Rare

Let's not overcomplicate this.
"Alpine divorce" is just plain ol' coercive control but in a Patagonia vest and hiking boots.

Putting your partner in a dangerous situation and leaving her there is a classic abusive tactic of punishment and control.
https://t.co/OEomZdZR9g

— Dr. Ann Olivarius (@AnnOlivarius) March 17, 2026

When I first heard the term "alpine divorce," I assumed it meant a case of murder or at least negligent manslaughter, like the recent case in Austria where a man abandoned his girlfriend on a mountain to die. But the term isn't limited to cases that end in death. There are plenty of stories on social media of dates that involved hiking or mountain climbing that ended the relationship. 

An outdoors enthusiast wants to take a romantic partner or spouse up to a mountain to share their passion. But the lesser-experienced person, usually but not always a woman, cannot go as fast or as far. Do you slow down to accommodate your partner, or do you abandon her and push on ahead to conquer the challenge of the hike? How mountaineers answer that question reveals whether the priority is the relationship or their ego. Everyone is new to the experience when they start out, and not accommodating a newbie will not only ruin a relationship, it can put them in serious danger. Read about the phenomenon of alpine divorce at the Guardian.  -via Metafilter