The cause of death has been revealed for one of two hikers who were found dead on Mount Katahdin.
The bodies of Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter Esther, 28, both of New York, were discovered on June 3 after they failed to return from a day hike. The pair had set off on June 1 from Abol Campground to attempt to reach the summit of Maine's highest peak and were last seen at approximately 10:15am that morning.
A large-scale search and rescue effort was launched after their car was discovered in a day-use parking lot for Mount Katahdin. The mountain forecast at the time called for temperatures around freezing, rain, sleet, and winds up to 40 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
Rescue crews found Tim's body near the summit on June 3 and the following day, teams discovered Esther's body in a steep, snow-covered boulder area between the Cathedral and Saddle Trails off the Tablelands, approximately 1000ft feet from where her father was found.
Now, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner says she died from blunt force injuries after it appears she attempted to traverse the boulder area slid downhill before colliding with large boulders.
The cause of death of her father is still under investigation.
A Facebook post from Rifton, which specializes in adaptive equipment, says Tim had worked as a sales and customer service representative for the New York-based company since 2020, and Esther joined him in 2023, helping to provide hundreds of in-service and product trainings to customers all over the United States.
"Anyone who attended one of these sessions can’t help but remember Tim’s lively presence and the joy and fulfillment both he and Esther found in helping all of you serve the children and adults in your care."
Mount Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and stands at 5,270ft above sea level. The final 15 miles of the famous trail lie within Baxter State Park.
