British actor and “A Room With a View” star Julian Sands is believed to be one of two missing hikers in California’s San Gabriel Mountains.
Sands, 65, was last seen in the Mount Baldy area on Friday night and his family have heard from him since.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, “Severe weather has been difficult on the mountain” and air resources are limited, ABC 7 reported.
Sands is known for his roles in several films, including 1985’s A Room with a View, Warlock, and Leaving Las Vegas.
It’s unclear why Sands was in the area and whether he hiked alone or with another person.
British actor and “A Room With a View” star Julian Sands, 65, has been named as one of two missing hikers in California’s San Gabriel Mountains. He is pictured here in 2020
In a post on Instagram, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said winter weather can create “dangerous conditions” on Mt. Baldy and urged hikers to think twice before traversing the area
Father of three, Julian Sands has been married twice.
From 1984 to 1987 his first marriage was to journalist Sarah Sands, who went on to edit publications including the Sunday Telegraph and London’s Evening Standard, as well as BBC Radio 4’s influential Today programme. The couple have one son, Henry.
The actor also has two daughters with journalist Evgenia Citkowitz, whom he married in 1990.
Meanwhile, a separate search is underway for another hiker, Bob Gregory of Hawthorne, in the Crystal Lake area of the mountain range.
Gregory’s family told the outlet that he was missing Monday and that they were “distraught” and “feared he may have injured himself and fallen.”
His relative added that police are in the process of locating his cellphone while search teams combed the area on the ground and from the air on Tuesday.
The flight crew’s efforts were limited Wednesday due to freezing conditions at the range’s difficult terrain in northern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County.
In a post on Instagram, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said winter weather can create “dangerous conditions” on Mt. Baldy and urged hikers to think twice before traversing the area.
In the last four weeks, department search and rescue teams have responded to 14 rescue operations on Mt. Baldy and the surrounding area.
The sheriff’s department said most rescue operations were for “lost, stranded and/or injured hikers.”
Sands is known for his roles in several films, including the 1985 feature film A Room with a View, Warlock, and Leaving Las Vegas.
Treacherous conditions in the San Bernardino Mountains have meant search and rescue efforts have been “hampered by inclement weather,” along with the likelihood of “dangerous avalanche conditions.”
“Unfortunately, in the past four weeks, two hikers have not survived after falling and injuring themselves,” they said.
“Please note that the current conditions on Mt Baldy are adverse and extremely dangerous.
“Because of the strong winds, the snow has turned to ice, making hiking extremely dangerous.”
The treacherous conditions mean search and rescue efforts have been “hampered by inclement weather” and the likelihood of “dangerous avalanche conditions.”
“Recent storms that have brought snow and ice conditions are not favorable for hikers, even those who believe they have a high level of experience,” authorities said.
The Sheriff’s Department has asked visitors to follow simple tips to stay safe.
This includes: obeying all posted warning signs, checking the weather conditions (both current and forecast) for the area, making sure you have the right equipment, training and being properly prepared for alpine conditions (crampons, ice axes, proper clothing), take a hiking buddy, bring a tracking or GPS device such as a SPOT device or an INREACH device, make sure all cell phones are fully charged, and bring a charged extra power pack.
They’ve also told visitors to let someone know where and when they’re going, when they’ll be back, and “most importantly” not to go if they’re hesitating about the site.