The two hikers missing on Katahdin have experience hiking other mountains, according to a family member.
Tim Keiderling, 58, is an outdoor and hiking enthusiast who has hiked some of the Adirondack Mountains, his brother Joe Keiderling told the Bangor Daily News Tuesday afternoon. Esther Keiderling, 28, has posted pictures online of her hikes in the Alps and Adirondacks.
Hiking Katahdin was something the father-daughter duo had planned for and had wanted to do, Joe Keiderling said.
The family started getting worried about the pair when they didn’t hear from them Sunday night, Joe Keiderling said. The father and daughter were last seen around 10:15 a.m., Sunday on Katahdin’s Tablelands heading to the summit.
Family members tried calling the pair all Sunday evening but cellphone service was too spotty to get through, Joe Keiderling said. Tim Keiderling’s wife called the park service first thing Monday morning. Park rangers started searching Monday morning after they found Keiderlings’ vehicle still in the day-use parking lot.
“I’m terribly concerned right now for his safety and his daughter’s safety,” Joe Keiderling said. “We’re just sending up prayers.”
Esther Keiderling, who writes a Substack blog, “Keep the Banner Flying,” wrote in a Saturday afternoon post that they planned to hike Katahdin’s Abol Trail, starting between 6 and 7 a.m. Sunday, weather permitting.
Tim and Esther Keiderling left Abol Campground on Sunday morning. No sign of them was found after a search of the Abol and Hunt trails and the Tablelands. More than 30 wardens, along with tracking dogs and five helicopters are assisting on the search.
Both the Abol and Hunt trails have been closed until further notice.
The family lives in Ulster County, New York, about an eight-hour drive to Baxter State Park. Joe Keiderling said he’s making the drive Tuesday afternoon. Tim’s son is already at the park, Joe said.
Family of the two hikers missing on Katahdin are grateful for the large response from the rescue team, Joe Keiderling said.
“The main message from the family is we just continue to hold out hope and we put enormous faith in the rescue team,” Joe Keiderling said. “We’re all sending up prayers.”
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.
