Bert Peter Goris, 64, of Colton, California, is being remembered following his death on Mount Katahdin in Maine, where he had been hiking as an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker.
According to Baxter State Park officials, Goris was found in distress on the Hunt Trail near York Valley on September 14, 2026, after reaching the summit of Katahdin. A rescue operation involving park rangers and the Maine Army National Guard followed, but he was pronounced dead after being airlifted from the mountain.
His death has brought sadness to fellow hikers, members of the Appalachian Trail community and those who knew him.
Bert Peter Goris Remembered as Appalachian Trail Hiker
Goris was registered with Baxter State Park as a northbound Appalachian Trail thru-hiker.
Park officials said he entered Baxter State Park on September 13 through the Abol Kiosk and stayed overnight at The Birches Campground. The following morning, he signed the Hunt Trail register as a solo hiker planning to reach the summit of Katahdin and descend by the Abol Trail.
Witnesses later confirmed that Goris reached the summit.
For people connected to the Appalachian Trail, his journey reflects the kind of challenge and adventure that draws hikers to Katahdin, the northern terminus of the trail.
What Happened to Bert Peter Goris on Katahdin?
Goris was found on the Hunt Trail near York Valley at approximately 1:15 p.m. on September 14.
A passing hiker contacted emergency services after encountering Goris on the trail. According to officials, he was having difficulty talking, was unable to move effectively and appeared to have a leg injury.
Another hiker also encountered him and provided assistance before severe conditions forced the hikers to continue their descent.
Park officials reported that weather conditions on the mountain were difficult that afternoon, including periodic rain, wind gusts exceeding 35 mph and wind-chill temperatures near 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The circumstances surrounding Goris’s medical distress and death remain subject to the official investigation.
Bert Peter Goris Death Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bert Peter Goris |
| Age | 64 |
| Hometown | Colton, California |
| Location of incident | Mount Katahdin, Maine |
| Trail | Hunt Trail near York Valley |
| Hiking status | Appalachian Trail thru-hiker |
| Date of incident | September 14, 2026 |
| Summit reached | Yes, according to witnesses |
| Rescue response | Baxter State Park and Maine Army National Guard |
| Cause of death | Pending official determination |
| Official identification | Reported as tentative by officials at the time of reporting |
Rescue Operation on Mount Katahdin
After the emergency calls, Baxter State Park launched a rescue response.
Rescuers from the park worked to reach Goris while the Maine Army National Guard prepared an aerial evacuation. A National Guard Black Hawk helicopter landed near York Valley on the Katahdin tablelands at approximately 4:40 p.m.
Park rangers and National Guard personnel secured Goris on a stretcher and transported him by helicopter to Millinocket Municipal Airport.
An ambulance crew met the helicopter at the airport and assessed Goris, but he was ultimately pronounced dead.
Severe Weather Complicated the Rescue
The rescue occurred under challenging mountain conditions.
Officials reported rain, strong winds and very low wind-chill temperatures on the mountain. The conditions were severe enough that hikers who had initially stopped to help Goris were eventually forced to continue down the mountain themselves.
Baxter State Park subsequently reminded visitors that weather conditions on Katahdin’s tablelands can deteriorate much more rapidly than conditions at lower elevations.
Park officials advised hikers to ensure they have appropriate clothing, equipment, emergency shelter, food and water before attempting the summit.
Bert Peter Goris Cause of Death Remains Pending
The official cause of Goris’s death had not been determined in the latest reports.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta was working to establish the cause of death and officially confirm the identification. Reports described his identification as tentative at the time they were published.
Although severe weather and an apparent leg injury were part of the circumstances surrounding the rescue, those facts should not be treated as a confirmed medical cause of death until the medical examiner releases an official determination.
Appalachian Trail Community Mourns
For fellow hikers, the Appalachian Trail is more than a long-distance route. It is a community built around shared experiences, difficult climbs, changing weather and the personal goals that bring people onto the trail.
Goris’s connection to that community means his death has resonated with people who knew him and others who identify with the hiking culture surrounding the Appalachian Trail.
His final journey on Katahdin also reflects the unpredictable conditions that can confront hikers even after reaching a major milestone.
Remembering Bert Peter Goris
Goris will be remembered as a 64-year-old California hiker who had undertaken an Appalachian Trail journey and reached the summit of Mount Katahdin before experiencing distress during his descent.
For his family, friends and fellow hikers, the circumstances of his final hike are now connected with memories of his life and his connection to the outdoors.
The people who knew him personally will carry memories that extend beyond the incident on Katahdin.
As the hiking community reflects on his death, those memories can provide a more personal understanding of the man behind the news.
Disclaimer
This article is based on reports from Baxter State Park officials and other news sources concerning Bert Peter Goris, 64, of Colton, California. At the time of the latest reports, his identification was described as tentative and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was still working to determine the official cause of death. While an apparent leg injury and severe weather were reported during the rescue, no specific cause of death should be assumed until officially established. Additional details may be updated if authorities release further information.