A New York man and his daughter are missing somewhere on Katahdin.
Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter, 28-year-old Esther Keiderling, both of Ulster Park, New York, were last seen on Katahdin’s Tablelands heading toward the summit about 10:15 a.m. Sunday, according to Baxter State Park.
The Keiderlings left Abol Campground that morning for the hike.
Park rangers began searching for them Monday morning when they discovered the Keiderlings’ vehicle still in the day-use parking lot, park officials said Tuesday.
No sign of them was found during a search of the Abol and Hunt trails and the Tablelands.
The search expanded Tuesday morning, with more than 30 game wardens along with tracking dogs, three Maine Forest Service helicopters and two Maine Army National Guard helicopters outfitted with infrared thermal imaging assisting park rangers.
Both the Abol and Hunt trails have been closed until further notice.
Esther Keiderling, who writes a Substack blog, “Keep the Banner Flying,” wrote in a Saturday afternoon post that she was on a sales trip with her father. The duo planned the trip around a weekend so they could attempt a hike up Katahdin’s Abol Trail, planning to start — weather permitting — between 6 and 7 a.m.
“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,” she wrote.
Anyone who was on or around Katahdin’s summit between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday or who has any information about the Keiderlings can call the state police in Houlton at 207-532-5400.
No additional information was immediately available.
