she could have tried to get help; he could have told her to try to go down; the top is rocky and either of them could have tripped. once the weather is bad, down means: less wind, less precipitation, less windchill, but you could totally lose visibility - some of the trail markers are cairns or white marks on the rocks... it could fog up and you would only be able to see a short distance. not sure if they had a navigation device. also not sure if they had down coats or a sleeping bag. I had a few spots where in perfect weather, I was looking carefully for a place to put my foot to keep safe. and you get tired.
Found Deceased Tim Keiderling, 58, & daughter Esther Keiderling, 28, from New York, last seen heading to the summit of Katahdin, Maine 1 June 25,
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This is just so tragic - I just pulled up the weather for early afternoon Sunday. I have no idea if this was forecast before they set out but it looks like the general area got hit with some precip which at higher altitudes could be icy. You can select the date and time (which is in Coordinated Universal Time, NOT the 2400 clock) using the drop down boxes on the left of the website. Radar Data
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Missing Daughter Found Dead on Hike a Day After Dad’s Body Was Located Near Mountain Summit: Authorities
The body of a woman who went missing along with her father after they set off on an Appalachian trail hike together has been located.
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It is with deep regret that we share the news that today, at approximately 1:00 p.m. (June 4), search teams discovered the body of Esther Keiderling off the Tablelands, in a wooded area between two known trails,” authorities wrote, sharing that additional details would be provided later, after searchers returned to the base of the mountain.Missing Daughter Found Dead on Hike a Day After Dad’s Body Was Located Near Mountain Summit: Authorities
The body of a woman who went missing along with her father after they set off on an Appalachian trail hike together has been located.people.com
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So how far is that from where her Dad was found?
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If it was rainy or even just misty up there it gets much more treacherous. Too easy to slip on a wet rock and tumble down. If it was windy it makes it much worse. A easy breeze on level ground can be scary on a knife edge ridge.
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I just read through this thread. So sad to learn of the outcome for these fellow nature lovers. Heartbreaking.
If only.....the weather had been bad and the pair decided to go on to NY, and stopping at Walden Pond, as Esther had planned in that event.
I hiked a lot in Maine, but not that mountain.
But I did climb Mt Washington in NH with a group many years ago. What were we thinking?? The weather can be notoriously unpredictable and dangerous.....as it turned out. Barely made it down.
I guess Mt Katahdin can have similar conditions, plus the hike itself is considered "strenuous".
If only.....the weather had been bad and the pair decided to go on to NY, and stopping at Walden Pond, as Esther had planned in that event.
I hiked a lot in Maine, but not that mountain.
But I did climb Mt Washington in NH with a group many years ago. What were we thinking?? The weather can be notoriously unpredictable and dangerous.....as it turned out. Barely made it down.
I guess Mt Katahdin can have similar conditions, plus the hike itself is considered "strenuous".
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which is weird cause she said in her substack that she would not proceed if raining
1000ft if you believe the AT trail FB
I just came here to say how sad I am about the deaths of this father and daughter on Katahdin. Too many lives are lost due to unpreparedness when hiking into the wild, even for a day hike.
p.s. please invest in emergency Bivvy bags for you and hiking mates... they cost and weigh so little.
p.s. please invest in emergency Bivvy bags for you and hiking mates... they cost and weigh so little.
Wow. Esther was a wonderful writer! I am especially touched by her essay about making Christmas presents for her young nieces. She learned new skills in order to make them because she'd do whatever it takes for them. In light of what's happened, Esther left them a greater legacy than the princess dress and painted wagon: her story of love for them.A bit about Esther, she writes beautifully in Substack
Keep the Banner Flying | Esther Keiderling | Substack
Trying to connect on faith, family and culture (books, music and poetry). Click to read Keep the Banner Flying, by Esther Keiderling, a Substack publication. Launched 3 months ago.keepthebannerflying.substack.com
She wrote this a few days ago
I'm on another sales trip with my dad like the one I described in this post and this time we planned the trip around a weekend so that we could climb Mount Katahdin. Tomorrow if it's not pouring with rain we’ll start hiking up the Abol trail between 6 and 7 a.m. If weather prevents us from going up Katahdin we’ll drive back to New York and stop at Walden Pond on the way. I'm a little nervous after everything I've read about the Abol trail but I'm going to do it if weather permits! If you don't see me back on Substack notes again, that's where I am.
Esther Keiderling on Substack
I'm on another sales trip with my dad like the one I described in this post and this time we planned the trip around a weekend so that we could climb Mount Katahdin. Tomorrow if it's not pouring with rain we’ll start hiking up the Abol trail between 6 and 7 a.m. If weather prevents us from going...substack.com
Beautiful Twinkling Star
"Though sun or moon I cannot be to make the whole world bright, I'd find some little cheerless spot and shine with all my might." L.M. Bateman (from "If I were a beautiful twink…comingfromstars.wordpress.com
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Hello! My name is Esther. I enjoy writing and trying to learn new skills such as cooking and crocheting. When I was a kid, my family used to sit around and read James Thurber, E.B White and Edna St…
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Just FYI, the status of Esther’s Substack seems to have been changed to private.
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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 Mount Katahdin in Maine, have spoken out about the 'heartbreaking tragedy' and how it is 'difficult to fully grasp.'
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Most likely, he had a medical incident, most likely a stroke or heart attack, and she left to get help and something terrible happened to her en route. We'll find out when the autopsies are finished.
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The White Mountains in general have a pretty good death toll, just because conditions change SO fast- we've got several cases on here, I believe, if anyone feels like searching. I also suspect that he had a medical event, she went for help and then inclement weather got to her.
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