Thru-hiker died after summiting Katahdin, official says

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 21, 2026

A California thru-hiker died last week just hours after reaching the northern end of the Appalachian Trail on Katahdin. Kevin Adam, director of Baxter State Park, said Monday that another hiker called 911 at 1:15 p.m. on Sept. 14 to report a man lying on the Hunt Trail near York Valley, experiencing difficulty talking, unable to move and showing signs of a leg injury. Adam said the victim has been tentatively identified as Bert Peter Goris, 64, of Colton, California.