A trend that is becoming increasingly popular on social media is giving a name to an experience that, apparently, many women have experienced, the now so-called Alpine divorce.
These are situations where a man abandons his partner during a hike or outdoor activity, either because he is moving faster, or because they have had an argument, leaving her alone in a difficult or even dangerous environment.
MJ, 38, recalled her experience in Zion National Park in Utah, USA, speaking to the Guardian . During a hike with a man she was dating, he began to climb faster on the Angel's Landing trail , showing obvious annoyance at her pace. When they finally reached the top, they took a photo together and then he descended the mountain with another woman he met along the way, leaving her completely alone. The breakup happened shortly after.
This experience, now defined as an alpine divorce, is not unique. In TikTok videos with millions of views, women share stories of finding themselves alone on difficult trails, without equipment or sufficient knowledge of the area, after their partners left without expecting them. In many cases, the end of the relationship was immediate.
The trend was sparked by a viral TikTok video , posted on February 18 by a user, which has garnered over 19 million views. In it, a woman walks alone on a difficult path, crying and describing the day as "the worst Saturday of her life ." The caption on the video sums up the experience:
"You go hiking with him in the mountains, he leaves you alone, and then you realize he never really loved you."
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After the viral video, dozens of women shared similar experiences. Some comments even talk about "support groups," suggesting how common this phenomenon is.
The term is not new. It comes from the short story “ An Alpine Divorce ” by author Robert Barr in 1893. In the story, a man plans to kill his wife during a trip to the Swiss Alps, a plot that gives the term a more macabre dimension.
What lies behind this behavior and its consequences?
Experts point out that behind this phenomenon there are often communication problems, as well as the so-called "male ego". As Julie Ellison, former editor-in-chief of Climbing magazine , explains, many men are influenced by a culture that idealizes endurance, self-sufficiency and overcoming limits. But this can have negative consequences for the partner who is neglected.
In some cases, the consequences are even more serious. Recently, an Austrian climber was found guilty of gross negligence after the death of his companion, whom he left exhausted on a mountaintop while he descended to seek help.
Beyond the extremes, the main problem seems to be a lack of communication. As David Webb, editor-in-chief of Explore magazine, notes , whoever invites someone on an informal walk takes on the role of "guide." This means that the pace should match the slower one, not the other way around.
At the same time, there are many who question the gender stereotypes surrounding this phenomenon. Many women involved in such activities point out that the concept of Alpine divorce reinforces the perception that women are less capable in these situations, which does not correspond to reality.
Perhaps, ultimately, the most interesting element in these stories is what happens next: many women find support from other women or strangers along the way, creating small communities in nature.
