Latest news with #MountKatahdin
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Family Speaks Out After Dad and Daughter Found Dead on Hike: ‘Days Have Been Filled with Endless Hours of Heartache'
The family of Tim and Esther Keiderling, the father and daughter who died while hiking in Maine, has spoken out Heinrich Arnold, Tim's brother-in-law, said the 'heartbreaking tragedy' has been "difficult to fully grasp" Tim and Esther's bodies were discovered on Mount Katahdin on June 3 and June 4, respectivelyThe family of Tim and Esther Keiderling, the father and daughter who died while hiking in Maine, has spoken out about the tragedy. In a statement shared via the family's New York-based church, Tim's brother-in-law, Heinrich Arnold, thanked community members for their 'outpouring of prayers and support" after the "heartbreaking tragedy." Explaining that Tim, a father of six, and Esther's deaths have been "difficult to fully grasp," he continued, "Both were taken from us far too soon, and we are all left asking: 'Why?' " "One comfort to the family is knowing that Tim and Esther were doing something they both were passionate about: being near to God, surrounded by expansive views and visions, immersed in nature, in the raw and wild beauty of creation," added Arnold. The relative also said: "The last few days have been filled with endless hours of heartache and prayer as we prayed for God's protection and his comfort in this loss." Joe Keiderling, Tim's brother, told NBC News that his sibling was "utterly unique." The pair both worked for the medical supply company Rifton Equipment. "Many young men and women remember him as an elementary school teacher who could hold them spellbound with wildly imaginative stories and escapades in the woods and fields of the Hudson Valley he called home," Joe continued. Of Esther, Joe said his niece was quiet but "deeply sensitive," telling NBC News, "She loved reading and writing, with a particular fondness for the poets Gerard Manley Hopkins and Edna St. Vincent Millay." Tim, 58, and Esther, 28, both of Ulster Park, N.Y., were last seen on Sunday, June 1, at around 10:15 a.m. local time. They had set out from the Abol Campground to hike Mount Katahdin, according to a statement from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Days later, on Tuesday, June 3, authorities updated the statement, writing that a Maine Warden Service K9 search team found Tim's body near the summit of the mountain, but his daughter remained missing. The organization updated the statement again the following day on Wednesday, June 4, announcing that searchers had found Esther's body. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Baxter State Park website describes the Katahdin trail as a 'very strenuous climb, no matter which trailhead you choose,' adding that it can take an average of eight to 12 hours to hike round-trip. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife did not respond to PEOPLE's request for further updates on Friday, June 6. Read the original article on People
Fox News
5 days ago
- Climate
- Fox News
Second missing hiker found dead in Maine as authorities conclude massive search operation
A second hiker who had been missing since Sunday was found dead in Maine on Wednesday, according to Baxter State Park officials. Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter Esther Keiderling, 28, both of Ulster Park, New York, left the Abol Campground on Sunday morning to hike to the summit of the mile-high Mount Katahdin. They were last seen alive around 10:15 a.m. that day. Their family became worried for their safety after they could not contact the pair on Sunday night, according to The Bangor Daily News. "With heavy hearts, we must share the sorrowful news that, on June 4 at around 1:00 p.m., search teams discovered the body of Esther Keiderling in a wooded area of Katahdin's Tableland," the officials said in a Wednesday Facebook post. "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 post continued. "We appreciate your support for their loved ones and the members of the search teams during this incredibly difficult time." Tim Keiderling's body was recovered Tuesday in the Tablelands area of Katahdin, according to Baxter State Park officials. "No one has had a brother like mine," his brother, Joe Keiderling, said in a statement to WMTW-TV after his body was found. "Tim lived exuberantly. He loved life, loved people, loved God. He was a storyteller like no one I've known with a rich sense of humor." The park officials offered condolences to the Keiderling family and their friends. After park authorities found their car still parked in a day-lot on Monday morning, an all-out search was launched. A team of 25 Maine Game Wardens, four Maine Game Warden K9 teams, 21 Baxter State Park Rangers, Maine Association for Search and Rescue members and Maine Search and Rescue Dogs teams, along with Maine Forest Service Helicopters and Maine Army National Guard Helicopters were deployed as part of the search. Baxter State Park Director Kevin Adam said the weather conditions on Sunday, when the pair went missing, were "freezing rain, fog, and some snow," according to The Bangor Daily News. Fox News Digital reached out to Baxter State Park officials.
New York Times
6 days ago
- New York Times
2 Hikers, a Father and Daughter, Are Found Dead Near Maine's Highest Peak
The bodies of two hikers from New York State — a father and daughter — were found this week near the summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine, the state's tallest mountain and the final stop on the storied Appalachian Trail, the authorities said. Park rangers began searching for the father and daughter, Tim Keiderling and Esther Keiderling of Ulster Park, N.Y., on Monday morning, after finding their vehicle parked in the day-use parking lot, officials said. They had last been seen hiking at about 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, heading toward the peak, officials said. The Maine Warden Service K-9 team found the body of Mr. Keiderling, 58, at about 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday. Searchers found the body of Ms. Keiderling, 28, around 1 p.m. Wednesday in a wooded area. Although the authorities did not give a cause of death, the company that employed the Keiderlings, Rifton Equipment, said that they encountered difficult weather conditions and that they had both had been found 'succumbed to exposure.' Rifton Equipment is a New York company that designs and manufactures adaptive equipment. 'We are deeply saddened to tell our friends and customers of the death of two members of our Rifton family,' the company said in a statement on Wednesday. 'We appreciate your support for their loved ones and the members of the search teams during this incredibly difficult time,' Baxter State Park officials said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. 'Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tim and Esther Keiderling's family and friends.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Father and daughter's hike up Maine's tallest mountain ends in tragedy
A father-daughter hike up Maine 's tallest mountain ended in tragedy when the father was found dead on Tuesday. Tim Keiderling, 58, and Esther Keiderling, 28, of Ulster Park, New York, set off Sunday morning to hike Mount Katahdan - with Esther writing on her personal Substack that they had planed to start their voyage to the summit between 6am and 7am, WMTW reports. 'I'm a little nervous after everything I've read about the Abol trail, but I'm going to do it if weather permits!' she wrote of the trail which Baxter State Park describes as a 'very strenuous climb.' 'If you don't see me back on Substack notes again, that's where I am,' wrote Esther, whose bio says she is a customer service representative for Rifton Equipment - a New York-based company that makes adaptive medical equipment. The father-and-daughter team were last seen at around 10.15am in the Trailheads region of the mountain, but their family became concerned when they still had not heard from them Sunday night, Bangor Daily News reports. Family members noted that they were both experienced hikers, and had previously hiked the Adirondacks. Park Rangers then started searching for the duo on Monday, when they found Tim and Esther's car parked in a lot for daily use. Search efforts then widened on Tuesday, leading to a K9 team discovering Tim's body near the summit at around 2.45pm, park rangers announced on social media. 'We know that many of our social media followers share in our deep sadness for the family and friends of Tim Keiderling and appreciate your support as teams continue the search for Esther,' park rangers wrote. Tim is now being remembered on social media as a loving father and grandfather, who shared great stories and taught others how to be beekeeper. 'No one has a brother like mine,' his brother Joe said in a statement to Maine's Total Coverage. 'Tim lived exuberantly. He loved life, loved people, loved God. He was a storyteller like no one I've known with a rich sense of humor. 'He left us far too soon,' Joe continued. 'My heart is broken for his wife and children.' He further told Bangor Daily News that Tim 'was a father, brother, husband [and] grandfather who loved life, loved people, loved God.' 'Our family is so grateful to the park rangers, state police, all the interagency first responders who searched for my brother,' Joe continued. 'They have our prayers as they continue to search for Esther.' A tribute on social media from Bruderhof Communities, a communal Anabaptist Christian movement, also said Tim 'loved Jesus and is now in eternity with Him. 'We continue to pray for Esther and hope she is found soon,' it added. One person who commented on the post said Tim and his wife, Annemarie, were her teachers, and their other daughter, Katherine, was her best friend. 'I have many great memories with them,' she wrote. 'Back when Tim was the community bee keeper at Woodcrest - I got to put on the beekeeper suite myself and work alongside him; it was one of the greatest honors. I'm so sorry and praying for their family and the community. He was a great person, father and teacher.'
