Father and daughter die hiking on Mount Katahdin amid harsh weather

In the United States, specifically in Maine's Baxter State Park, a tragic incident unfolded involving two hikers, Tim Keiderling, 58, and his 28-year-old daughter Esther Keiderling. The pair set out on Sunday morning, June 1, 2025, to hike to the summit of Mount Katahdin, standing at 5,269 feet. However, as night fell without any contact from them, their family became concerned and reported them missing. Subsequently, park rangers initiated a search operation which commenced on Monday morning after discovering their vehicle still in the day-use parking lot. This prompted a large-scale search that included 25 game wardens, various search and rescue teams, K-9 units, and aerial support from multiple helicopters. Despite the collective efforts, finding any trace of the father and daughter proved challenging due to the adverse weather conditions present at the time of their hike, which included freezing rain, fog, and occasional snow. On Tuesday, June 2, 2025, search teams discovered Tim Keiderling’s body around 2:45 p.m. in a region known as the Tablelands. His daughter Esther's body was located the following day, Wednesday, June 3, 2025, around 1:00 p.m., also in the Tablelands area. The search efforts had included dogs and thermal imaging, but they had failed to locate Esther's body the previous night. The death of Tim and Esther Keiderling has profoundly impacted their community and family. Baxter State Park officials expressed their condolences to the grieving family and emphasized the sadness surrounding the loss of both hikers. As authorities reflect on the incident, they underline the importance of safety in outdoor activities, especially in challenging weather. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the risks involved in hiking and the unpredictability of nature.