A father-daughter hiking trip in Maine ended in tragedy as authorities recovered the body of a 58-year-old man near the summit of Mount Katahdin while his 28-year-old daughter remains missing.
The massive search operation continues with helicopters, K9 units, and over 30 game wardens working tirelessly.
Meanwhile, Americans pray for a miracle in this devastating situation at one of America’s most challenging trails.
Tim and Esther Keiderling, from Ulster Park, New York, set out to conquer Maine’s highest peak, which stands at 5,269 feet.
They were last spotted on the Katahdin Tablelands. When they failed to return as expected, alarm bells began ringing for authorities.
The search began after park officials discovered the Keiderlings’ car still sitting in the day-use parking lot.
Initial search efforts covered the Abol Trail, Hunt Trail, and Katahdin Tablelands but found no immediate signs of the missing hikers.
The search operation then expanded dramatically. Over 30 game wardens joined the effort alongside specialized K9 teams.
Daughter still missing, father found dead at Maine's Mount Katahdin https://t.co/VkaEJa9vgC
— Tennessean (@Tennessean) June 4, 2025
Three helicopters from the Maine Forest Service took to the skies. At the same time, the Maine Army National Guard deployed a Blackhawk helicopter equipped with infrared imaging technology to scan the rugged terrain.
The heartbreaking discovery of Tim’s body near the summit has only intensified the urgency to locate his daughter.
Baxter State Park officials closed both the Hunt and Abol Trails to facilitate search operations, demonstrating the seriousness of the situation and the challenging terrain rescuers face.
Weather conditions on Katahdin were reported to be in the 50s with sporadic rain and wind throughout the weekend, potentially creating hazardous conditions for hikers.
This climb is no walk in the park for even experienced outdoor enthusiasts. Authorities warn that hiking Katahdin is exceptionally demanding, as most hikers require between eight to twelve hours to complete the round trip.
“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 continues the search for Esther,” authorities wrote.
Officials are urging anyone who was on or near the summit of Katahdin to come forward with any information that might aid in locating Esther.
Those with potentially valuable information are asked to contact Houlton State Police.
