Bert Peter Goris, a 64-year-old hiker from Colton, California, died after suffering a leg injury while descending Mount Katahdin in Maine on September 14, 2026. Despite rescue efforts by two separate hikers, park rangers, and a National Guard helicopter crew, he was pronounced dead upon reaching a local airport.
A routine trek up Maine’s tallest mountain turned tragic last week when severe alpine weather hindered a multi-agency rescue operation on Mount Katahdin. Bert Peter Goris had successfully reached the summit before encountering physical distress on his descent, according to law enforcement rangers at Baxter State Park.
Timeline of the Ascent and Descent Along the Hunt Trail
Goris entered Baxter State Park on Sunday, September 13, walking through the Abol Kiosk. He registered as a northbound Appalachian Trail thru-hiker at Katahdin Stream Campground and spent the night at The Birches Campground, according to Baxter State Park officials.
Early the next morning at approximately 7:40 a.m., Goris signed the Hunt Trail register, noting his plan to hike solo to the summit and descend via the Abol Trail. Witnesses later confirmed that he reached the top of the mountain.
Trouble began during the descent along the Hunt Trail. Goris stopped near York Valley to ask a passing hiker for directions to the Abol Trail. That hiker advised him to put on extra clothing over his wet shorts and long-sleeved shirt before continuing down the mountain due to the deteriorating weather.
Severe Mountain Weather and Civilian Intervention
Conditions on Katahdin’s tablelands deteriorated rapidly, far outpacing the milder weather found at the base campgrounds. Two different hikers attempted to aid Goris as he struggled to speak and move.
The first person to find him lying on the trail provided immediate first aid, wrapping Goris in a sleeping bag, an emergency blanket, and a tarp while also providing a tent. As winds gusted over 35 mph and wind chills dropped near 20 degrees Fahrenheit alongside periodic rain and cloud cover, that hiker initiated a descent at about 2:00 p.m. to avoid rapid-onset hypothermia.
At 2:35 p.m., a second 911 call reached the Houlton Regional Communication Center from another hiker who had provided Goris with an additional sleeping bag before being forced to leave the harsh elements.
According to officials, witnesses confirmed that Goris reached the summit.
National Guard Airlift and Medical Response
Park rangers launched an immediate rescue response, deploying teams from both the Abol and Chimney Pond campgrounds. At the same time, the Maine Army National Guard stationed a crew in Bangor to assist.
At approximately 4:40 p.m., a Black Hawk helicopter landed near York Valley on Katahdin’s tablelands. National Guard crew members and three park rangers secured Goris onto a stretcher and airlifted him off the mountain.
The aircraft transported him to Millinocket Municipal Airport, where a local ambulance crew met the flight. Emergency medical personnel connected Goris to medical equipment and officially pronounced him dead.
Investigation Into Cause of Death and Safety Advisories
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta is working to officially determine Goris’ cause of death.
In the wake of the incident, park authorities issued strong warnings regarding the deceptive nature of alpine environments. Officials stressed that visitors must carry appropriate winter-grade clothing, proper gear, emergency shelter, and sufficient food and water before attempting to summit Katahdin, as high-elevation weather can turn dangerous with little warning.