A hiker was found dead after the duo tried to hike to the top of Maine's highest mountain and his daughter remained missing, officials said Wednesday. The search work continues, hoping to find her - recently, at and around the summit.

According to Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Tim Keiderling, 58, and Esther Keiderling, 28, left the campsite at Baxter State Park around 10:15 a.m. Sunday, intending to hike the 5,269-foot top of Mount Katahdin, Maine, according to Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Park Rangers searched Keiderlings Monday morning after finding their car still parked on the ground, according to the department. Rangers searched several hiking trails, including the Cartahedin Flat Island where the hiker was last seen, but found no signs of a father or daughter.

Officials said their investigation expanded Tuesday to include 25 Watchmen, Maine Army National Guard, multiple search and rescue teams and K-9 crew members who joined three state Forest Service helicopters to investigate the area from above and ride ground crews up and down the hill. Park rangers also helped with ground searches.

Baxter State Park said in a social media post that the K-9 search team found Tim Kidling's body around 2:45 p.m. local time.

"We know that many of our social media followers have shared our deep sorrow for Tim Keiderling's family and friends and thank you for your support as your team continues to look for Esther."

According to the director of Baxter State Park, a search of Esther Keiderling has recovered, and even the thermal imaging device failed to find any trace of her on the hill one night.

The park’s website describes the Katahdin Trails ending at the top of the mountain as a “very hard climb” and both hikers choose to follow a cross-country hike in order to get there. It also warns that 80% of search and rescue in the parks occur when hikers fall rather than rise, while more than 75% of the worst events, including death, are because hikers leave their path.