A recovery effort is underway for the bodies of three hikers who were reported missing on snowy Mount Baldy Monday morning.
Members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue team began the mission on the mountain after a request was made to locate a 19-year-old male hiker who had fallen approximately 500 feet. The teen was hiking with two friends who had used a cellphone to ask for help.
“During the aerial search, deputies located the injured hiker and located two additional individuals nearby who have not been identified. Due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue,” a release from the sheriff’s department said.
Several hours later, rescuers returned to the area, but it was too late.
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“At approximately 7:30 p.m., an airship from Los Angeles County assisted in the effort. High winds again prevented a hoist operation; however, an air medic was hoisted down and confirmed all three individuals were deceased. Due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to safely complete the rescue,” the department shared.
The names of the deceased hikers is currently not known.
The mountain is reported to have 15 inches of snow, having received a fresh coat of about 6 inches on Friday.
British actor Julian Sands was found dead in the Mount Baldy area following a solo hike in 2023. He had been reported missing in January of that year and his body was not found until June.
