A hiker who died on Katahdin last week was reportedly caught in “severe” weather and displayed signs of a leg injury.
On Friday, reports emerged that an unidentified body was discovered on Katadhin in Maine early in the week. Now, officials are releasing details about the incident and have identified the hiker.
According to officials with Baxter State Park, the Houlton Regional Communication Center received a 911 call at 1:15 p.m. on Monday, September 14 reporting an injured and incapacitated hiker on the park’s Hunt Trail.
Park rangers established cell phone contact with the reporting hiker, who had encountered a male lying on the trail, having trouble speaking, unable to move effectively, and displaying signs of a leg injury.
The reporting hiker provided immediate first aid by wrapping the individual—who officials have tentatively identified as Bert Peter Goris, 64, of Colton, California—in a sleeping bag, emergency blanket, tarp, and tent.
Officials said weather conditions on the mountain were “severe” at the time, with cloud cover, periodic rain, wind gusts of over 35 miles per hour, and wind chill temperatures around 20° Fahrenheit.
Due to the risk of rapidly onset hypothermia, the initial caller was forced to descend at around 2 p.m.
At 2:35 p.m., a second 911 call was made by another hiker, who provided Goris with an additional sleeping bag before the harsh weather conditions forced them to descend.
Park rangers began an immediate rescue effort, deploying teams from Abol Campground—via the Abol Trail—and from Chimney Pond Campground.
The Maine Army National Guard in Bangor accepted the air evacuation mission despite extreme conditions.
At around 4:40 p.m., a National Guard Blackhawk helicopter landed near the trail on the Katahdin Tablelands.
National Guard crewmembers and three park rangers secured Goris on a stretcher and airlifted him to Millinocket Airport, where medics confirmed he was deceased.
Following the incident, an investigation by park rangers determined Goris entered the park on foot at the Abol Kiosk on Sunday, September 13. He registered as an Appalachian Trail northbound thru-hiker at Katahdin Stream Campground and stayed overnight at The Birches Campground.
At 7:40 a.m. on Monday, September 14, Goris signed the Hunt Trail register, indicating he planned a solo hike to summit Katahdin and descend via the Abol Trail.
Witness interviews confirmed Goris reached the summit. During his descent along the Hunt Trail, he stopped beside the trail and asked a passing hiker about directions to the Abol Trail. The hiker reportedly directed him toward the Abol Trail and spoke with him about putting on additional clothing over his wet shorts and long-sleeved shirt. The hiker had to leave because of the weather conditions.
Shortly after this interaction, the first emergency calls were placed.
Park officials said all visitors should remember that weather conditions on Katahdin’s Tablelands can deteriorate rapidly compared to conditions at base campgrounds. Hikers should be sure to have appropriate winter-grade clothing, emergency shelter, food, and water readily accessible before attempting to summit Katahdin.
