Found Deceased Tim Keiderling, 58, & daughter Esther Keiderling, 28, from New York, last seen heading to the summit of Katahdin, Maine 1 June 25,

[acutename]

Why would she go away from the trail and be far from her dad ? I fail to see what could have happened to her father first, an then her. was the weather still that unstable and cold ?
Did he have a health issue eg stroke due to the difficulty of the hike and did she leave to get help?

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.

 

[GraceG]

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

 

[vls12345]

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

 

[Knox]

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

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.

 

[Knox]

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.

So how far is that from where her Dad was found?

 

[KBlackRabbit]

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.

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.

 

[acutename]

there are a lot of posts on the Appalachian Trail Hikers FB page about this- 19F t the top with windchill
Sunday.... not good weather

 

[whitelilac]

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".

 

[LadyL]

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

which is weird cause she said in her substack that she would not proceed if raining

 

[LadyL]

very sad outcome
condolences to the family

 

[acutename]

So how far is that from where her Dad was found?

1000ft if you believe the AT trail FB