Latest news with #TimKeiderling
Yahoo
16 hours 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
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
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. Fox News' Mike Tobin Completes Risky Everest Climb And Shares Details Of High-stakes Summit "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." Read On The Fox News App 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." Alaska Man Survives Being Pinned Face-down By 700-Pound Boulder In Creek After Help From His Wife 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 article source: Second missing hiker found dead in Maine as authorities conclude massive search operation
Fox News
3 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
2 hikers die on Maine mountain amid treacherous weather
Rescue crews have found the bodies of two hikers who went missing after attempting to summit Mount Katahdin over the weekend amid cold, windy and wet weather. Mount Katahdin is the tallest mountain in Maine, located in the remote area of Baxter State Park, and is known for dangerous conditions when the weather isn't clear and dry. "Tim Keiderling and his daughter, Esther, went missing on a hike over the weekend after encountering difficult weather conditions. First responders have since found both succumbed to exposure," Rifton Equipment said in a statement. Both Tim and Esther Keiderling worked for the medical supply company, based out of Ulster County, New York. Sunday was windy and cold in Maine with rain falling around Baxter State Park through at least midday, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty said. "It did not look like a good day to be on that mountain," Douty added. "Searchers had been looking for Esther and her father, Tim Keiderling, since Monday, when they found their unattended vehicle in a day-use parking lot. Tim Keiderling, age 58, and his daughter Esther Keiderling, age 28, both of Ulster Park, New York, had left Abol Campground on Sunday to hike to the summit of Katahdin," Baxter State Park said in a Facebook post. Both were found deceased after a three-day search, which included 25 game wardens, 25 state park rangers, seven K9 teams, and 15 additional volunteers. Katahdin is one of the most popular mountains to hike in Maine and is the northernmost point of the Appalachian Trail. The summit is above the treeline, meaning hikers are exposed to the elements during most of their trip. The temperature can be much lower near the summit compared to the lower elevations, and paired with high winds, can dramatically lower the AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature. Rain can make the hike slippery and dangerous due to the rocky trails that lead up to the summit. "Hiking Katahdin requires an elevation gain of around 4,000 ft. This is a very strenuous climb, no matter which trailhead you choose," Baxter State Park said on its website. "Remember that your primary goal is not reaching the summit, but a safe return to the trailhead." Cell phone service may be limited in Baxter State Park, so hikers are encouraged to check the weather forecast carefully before heading to the mountain.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Father-Daughter Tragedy: Second Hiker Found Dead on Mt. Katahdin
Mount Katahdin in Maine is most famous for being the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, but this week, the area became a tragic focal point. A father and daughter from New York went missing on the mountain while hiking over the weekend. After 3 days of searching, both bodies have been found, according to authorities with Baxter State Park, where the mountain is located. Esther Keiderling, 28, and her father, Tim Keiderling, 58, were visiting Baxter State Park in Millinocket and had planned to hike to the 5,270-foot summit of Mt. Katahdin. They were last seen on the morning of Sunday, June 1, after leaving Abol Campground, according to a press release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). Park authorities said rangers began searching for the pair on Monday after the Keiderlings' vehicle was found still parked in the day-use parking lot. They began with the Abol and Hunt Trails, both popular routes for summiting Katahdin, and searched the Katahdin Tablelands. On Tuesday, Baxter State Park rangers expanded the search, assisted by more than 30 game wardens, including the Maine Warden Service Search and Rescue team and Maine Warden Service K9 Team. Maine Forest Service provided aerial support with three helicopters, and the Maine Army National Guard also assisted with Blackhawk and Lakota helicopters fitted with infrared thermal imaging devices. That afternoon, the K9 team located the body of Tim Keiderling on the Tableland, near the summit, according to park authorities. Teams continued to search the area for Esther, which carried over into today. A team of 25 game wardens, four K9 teams, and 21 rangers announced that at 1:00 p.m., the body of Esther Keiderling was identified in a wooded area of the Tablelands. GearJunkie reached out for comment but did not immediately hear back. There has been no report on the cause of death or what led the pair to go missing. Since 1933, 64 people have perished on Mount Katahdin, including two people in 2020. From 1992 to 2014, an average of 34 search and rescue missions had to be launched per year in the park. Hikers consider the summit of Katahdin to be one of the most difficult ascents in the Northeast. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
