BAXTER STATE PARK, MAINE — A hiking trip to the summit of Mount Katahdin turned tragic this week as search teams confirmed the deaths of Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter Esther Keiderling, 28, after a multi-day rescue effort in Maine’s Baxter State Park.
According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Keiderlings left their campsite at approximately 10:15 a.m. EST on Sunday to ascend the 5,269-foot mountain — the highest peak in Maine and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
When their car remained in the day-use parking lot overnight, park rangers launched a search Monday morning, eventually leading to a multi-agency effort involving more than two dozen game wardens, the Maine Army National Guard, K-9 teams, search and rescue groups, and three Forest Service helicopters.
Discovery After Days of Intense Search
The first major breakthrough came Tuesday at 2:45 p.m. when a K-9 team located Tim Keiderling’s body on the Katahdin Tablelands, a remote alpine zone known for its exposure and difficulty.
Despite using thermal imaging equipment, search teams were unable to locate Esther that night. The search resumed early Wednesday, and by 1 p.m. EST, her body was found in a wooded area of the Tablelands, according to a news release from Baxter State Park.
“We understand that many of our social media followers share in our profound sadness for the family and friends of Tim and Esther Keiderling,” the park said in an official statement. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their loved ones.”
Difficult Terrain and Known Hazards
The Katahdin summit trails are marked as “very strenuous climbs” on the Baxter State Park website, with hikers frequently facing steep ascents, changing weather, and limited shelter. The park warns that over 80% of rescues occur during descent, and that more than 75% of serious incidents — including deaths — occur when hikers leave the marked trail.
It is currently unclear whether the Keiderlings had veered off the trail, or what specifically led to their deaths. The incident remains under review.
Community and Agency Response
The coordinated response involved a significant deployment of resources, including ground crews flown up the mountain and aided by search dogs and aerial surveillance.
“This was a challenging operation in unforgiving terrain,” said one official close to the search effort. “Our hearts go out to the family, and we’re grateful to the many teams that responded with urgency and care.”
Baxter State Park is expected to conduct a full incident review and remind hikers of safety protocols ahead of the busy summer season.
Staying Safe on Katahdin and Other Trails
Officials urge all hikers to:
- Review route difficulty in advance
- Begin hikes early in the day to avoid descending in low light
- Stay on designated trails at all times
- Carry emergency gear, including food, water, a flashlight, and weather-appropriate clothing
- Inform others of your hiking plan and estimated return time
