Appalacian Trail Thru-Hiker Dies After Summiting Katahdin

A 64-year-old California man died after suffering a leg injury while descending Mount Katahdin on Sept. 14, according to Baxter State Park officials.

According to the Bangor Daily News, Bert Peter Goris of Colton was hiking alone as an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. He had stayed at The Birches campground the night before and began the Hunt Trail around 7:40 a.m.

Another hiker encountered Goris during his descent near York Valley around 1:15 p.m. Goris was having difficulty speaking and moving and was reportedly wearing wet shorts and a long-sleeved shirt. He had asked for directions to the Abol Trail.

The hiker called 911 and later found Goris again, covering him with a sleeping bag, emergency blanket, tarp and tent before descending because of the risk of hypothermia. Another hiker found Goris around 2:35 p.m. and added another sleeping bag before also leaving the area.

Baxter State Park rangers reached Goris and assisted him to a Maine Army National Guard helicopter, which landed on the Katahdin Tablelands around 4:40 p.m. He was pronounced dead after being flown to Millinocket Airport.

Winds exceeded 35 mph that day, with a wind chill near 20 degrees and intermittent rain.

Goris’ identification remains tentative, and the official cause of death is pending an investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. His death is the first reported on Katahdin this year.

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