Disaster Actor Julian Sands identified as hiker missing in Mt. Baldy area of Los Angeles since Friday

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Julian Sands, a British actor who has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows since the 1980s, is one of two missing hikers currently being searched for in Southern California's mountains, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Sands has been missing since last week in the Mt. Baldy area. Family reported him missing on Friday evening.

According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, severe weather on the mountain has been difficult and air resources have been limited.

"His wife did report him missing," said Gloria Huerta with SBCSD. "From what I understand, he left sometime that day for a hike and when he did not return, his family reported him missing."
Sands is known for roles in several films, including the 1985 feature "A Room with a View," "Warlock" and "Leaving Las Vegas."

Born in England, the 65-year-old now lives in the North Hollywood area.
12716789_011823-kabc-sands-split-img.jpg


Meanwhile, a separate search is ongoing for another hiker in Los Angeles County.
Bob Gregory, of Hawthorne, was reported missing by family on Monday afternoon. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's San Dimas station, they've been searching for him in the Crystal Lake area of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Family says they are distraught and fear he may have hurt himself and fallen. They added the police are tracing his cell phone.

Search teams combed the area on the ground and from the air on Tuesday. However, those efforts were limited Wednesday to air crews only due to icy conditions on the tough terrain, authorities said.

"The conditions are too dangerous. In fact, even some of the more experienced hikers are getting themselves into trouble up there so we recommend that people to stay away from that area," said Huerta.
kabc logo


~~~~
Well fuck. I always liked him. I hope he is found safe. He was great in Vibes.

 
Mt. Baldy is easy to get disoriented on - even if you get to the top you could mistakenly take the opposite route and end up in the ski village rather than the parking lot you parked at.

Add in winter weather and snow = not a good scenario to find yourself in. I've spent a lot of time backpacking/hiking and have turned around a number of times - ran out of water once, got hit with pretty severe altitude sickness another time, etc. I still need to pick up a personal locator beacon as well, at this point I'm not sure I'll do any solo treks without one.
 
This guy is probably dead if he's already been missing for a week and the weather is so bad even pro hikers are getting in trouble.
Unfortunately I have to agree with this. Hypothermia is a bitch that can hit you real fast even if you're prepared for it. Chances are he got lost or injured and if he's injured and stuck somewhere in one spot the weather during the day will be bad enough but at night california can be pretty brutal, especially this time of year and in the mountains. If he was just planning a day hike he probably isn't carrying too much in the way of overnight equipment, calorie rich food or more than a day or two at most of supplies for providing heat. Not to mention water requirements

He's been out there a week so far so that isn't a good sign at all. I won't be surprised if he's dead by now. I hope not but if I were his wife i'd be preparing myself for the worst. If he isn't he's likely not that far off by now, probably hypothermic and lacking food and water

If theres one thing I learned after years of hunting and high altitude skiing its always carry some overnight supplies even if you don't intend to be out overnight. Always being extra water, a compass and some high calorie food. and always have the ability to make fire and a few of those chemical handwarmers on you. and I do mean on you. Backpacks and such are good but if you get separated from yours you can get fucked real easily. I always have some of all of that strapped right to me and in pockets whenever i'm out in the wilderness like that, and it has saved my ass more than once. Hell those dollar store rain ponchos and shitty reflective thermal blankets, with a $2 manganese strike fire starter can, keep you dry, warm and save your life
 
Wonder if he had a GPS beacon. Those seem like such a great idea if you're going anywhere off the cell phone networks. Apparently T-Mobile is working with Starlink to provide uninterrupted global access as well.

I guess if you're killed by a fall or something it won't help much, but can probably help find the body. Hopefully a lot of this kind of 'lost in the hills' situation is getting obsolete with tech soon.
 
He was a great actor and chose some interesting projects. Boxing Helena was so bizarre and his character so pathetic, it still pops through my mind pretty often despite being about a decade since I've seen it. And of course A Room with a View is perfection. It's sad we won't get to see more of him.
vwara.gif
 
Back