Disturbing break up method 'alpine divorce' explained as expert brands it people's 'worst fear'

A disturbing new method of breaking up with your partner is doing the rounds on social media, with one expert describing it as people's 'worst fear'.

It's 2026, people. There are seemingly many ways to call it quits these days, but no doubt that nothing is more savage than a trend known as 'Alpine divorce'.

You often associate the word 'alpine' with a luxurious ski resort in the French Alps, a place where great times can be had with friends and family.

However, this term is anything but that, though it does involve going to the mountains with the hiking gear equipped...

What is 'alpine divorce'?

The term used to break up with your other half isn't actually in the dictionary and is something that has appeared on social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram in recent months.

So, to put it simply, an 'alpine divorce' involves you breaking up with your partner in a remote and potentially life-threatening situation in the mountains during a hike.

Yep, this is where some people are apparently getting dumped (Getty Stock Photo)

What are experts saying about 'alpine divorce'?

Stephanie Sarkis, a psychotherapist who looks into narcissistic abuse, revealed to US Today that she's seen a few instances of 'alpine divorce'.

"For a lot of people, that's their worst fear: Being in an environment where we don't have control over what's going on and being abandoned somewhere," the mental health expert explained.

"I think we all have a fear of abandonment to different degrees. Being out in an area that you do not know, where there's wildlife, where you could easily get lost, especially if it's unmarked, that's a real fear for people."

Sarkis went on to explain that those who have suffered from 'alpine divorce' at some point in their lifetime have likely been blamed by the person who committed the horrific form of dumping.

"People with a lack of empathy are really into teaching people a lesson," the psychotherapist went on to say.

It's certainly an horrific form of dumping (Getty Stock Photo)

"They're looking for a reason to blame you and they can have a hair trigger temper, so they will just leave and not even consider what your needs are or that they're abandoning you."

The origin of 'alpine divorce'

While it's everywhere on TikTok nowadays, 'alpine divorce' actually originates from Robert Barr, who wrote a story called 'An Alpine Divorce'.

The novel tells the disturbing story of a man who decides to leave his wife during a hike in the Swiss alps, leaving her stranded in the horrific circumstances.