What Is An 'Alpine Divorce'? Inside The Dating Trend That Can Leave You Vulnerable
If your social media algorithm has even the slightest link to dating trends, chances are you've seen the term alpine divorce floating around your feed. It's another harmful dating trend you need to be aware of and seemingly stemmed from a disturbing February 2026 TikTok, which has been viewed over 30 million times at the time of writing. "POV: you go on a hike with him in the mountains but he leaves you alone by yourself and you realize he never liked you to begin with," the poster wrote as the video showed them sobbing and walking alone over dangerous terrain. Since then, multiple other TikTokers have shared similar experiences, as have several Reddit users.
@everafteriya
Don't be fooled by the word divorce though, as the term (also referred to as alpine abandonment) describes a dangerous situation where a person, married or not, is left behind by a male, romantic partner while outdoors (think the likes of hiking, rock climbing, or camping). "It's the use of physical abandonment as a power move when someone feels frustrated or inconvenienced," Dr. Sanam Hafeez, NYC neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind, exclusively tells Women.com. "There's something almost poetic about nature being the thing that strips away the curated, well-behaved version of a partner and shows you who they really are at their core," she adds, noting heading into the great outdoors with someone can reveal far more than a dating profile, where some things are left off, ever could.
How to know if someone is capable of an alpine divorce
A man isn't likely to tell you outright that he'd abandon you in one of your most vulnerable moments (especially early on in a relationship). But there are a few red flags to look out for to determine if someone is potentially capable of an alpine divorce. "If you are dating someone who consistently prioritizes their own comfort and mood above yours, without checking in on you even in small, low-stakes situations, it can be very telling about how they will act in bigger, more serious moments," Dr. Sanam Hafeez exclusively tells us.
Dr. Hafeez also recommends keeping an eye on how they respond when you're walking together and you're a few steps behind them. If they walk ahead without waiting or turning back to check you're okay and following, that could be a red flag. "Contempt or impatience in those moments is a pretty clear window into how they handle any situation where you become an inconvenience," she says.
It can also be a bad sign if the person you're dating is repeatedly pushing the idea of an outdoor date that could leave you vulnerable. If they react well to the idea of swapping to a safer activity that requires less time commitment, such as a stroll around a small local park or a picnic in a well-populated area, they're less likely to have ulterior motives. But don't forget to listen to your gut. "If you feel off in any way at all about this person, listen to your intuition ... Intuition is there for a reason and is normally right," Dr. Hafeez tells us.
The important safety steps to take before an outdoor date (but remember dating abandonment can happen inside as well)
Though outdoor dates can be a great way to get to know someone and get some exercise (and they're perfect additions to your summer to-do list without costing a fortune), it's smart to start small and safe. Leave the camping trips until later, when you know you can trust your date. In the early days, walk around local areas you know your way around and that have excellent cell reception so you can easily find your way home alone if you need to.
When you're more confident taking things to the next level via camping or long hikes, Dr. Sanam Hafeez exclusively recommends sharing your exact location with a trusted friend or family member who can check in on you (there are multiple phone tracking apps that can give an accurate live location). She also suggests setting regular check in times (we'd suggest every couple of hours), whereby if they haven't heard from you, they can raise the alarm.
Though the alpine divorce trend has been making serious waves online, remember you're not out of the woods just because you're not in the woods. Abandonment can happen indoors too and can manifest in multiple different forms. One example? Going on a date to a bar and being left to find your own way home while inebriated. "Whether it's a mountain trail or a crowded bar, the message being sent is the same, which is that your safety and comfort are now your problem," Dr. Hafeez says — and that's a major red flag you shouldn't settle for. "It suggests a willingness to weaponize vulnerability, which is actually a recognized pattern in emotionally controlling relationships. The setting changes, but the dynamic doesn't," she says.