A 68-year-old Holden man died Saturday after sliding more than 1,000 feet while climbing at Baxter State Park.

The man was not identified by park officials, but a Bangor-based funeral home posted an obituary on its website Monday for John H. Stetson that said he died “unexpectedly … on Mount Katahdin.”

Stetson had been camping at Daicy Pond Campground with a large group and was attempting to climb the Abol Trail up Maine’s highest mountain with a companion when he fell after losing his footing, according to a media release from Baxter officials.

Park rangers responded but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Stetson is survived by his wife of 40 years, Alanna, and three grown children, according to his obituary.

The death was the second inside Baxter State Park this month.

A 56-year-old New Hampshire man died after separating from a group of skiers on Feb. 5. Park officials said he suffered a “medical event.”


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