Search continues for missing hiker

Ronald Barbour of La Crescenta was to have returned Sunday from a trail in San Bernardino County.

By Gary Moskowitz
News-Press

January 23, 2004

LA CRESCENTA — Ronald Dean Barbour left his La Crescenta home a week ago today for a bicycle ride and hike along the Pacific Crest Trail.

His family still is waiting for him to come back.

Members of the Montrose Search and Rescue Team are assisting the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in searching the portion of the Pacific Crest Trail where Barbour was thought to be — between Interstate 15 and Highway 138 — but authorities had found no trace of Barbour by Thursday evening.

Barbour, 69, told his family he would return Sunday night, officials said. He was reported missing the following day.

His family members, who did not return a call for comment Thursday afternoon, told authorities Barbour is an experienced hiker and cyclist.

Helicopters, ground search teams and a search dog are being used to find Barbour in icy and snowy conditions. Authorities also are searching for Eugene Kumm, a 25-year-old Seal Beach resident who on Saturday took the Vivian Creek trail toward Mt. San Gorgonio, east of Highway 38 near Forest Falls.

Four Southland hikers have died since New Year's Day, a high number for this early in the season, said Chip Patterson of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

"We searched for [Barbour and Kumm] overnight Monday and have continued since, but have found nothing substantial," Patterson said Thursday. "That is very troubling, but unfortunately, it's not all that unusual. There is so much wilderness area to look in and so many possibilities of places they could be."

The wintry mountain conditions that the two missing hikers are facing are typical for this time of year, and hikers need to be prepared, said John Paneno, operations leader for the Montrose Search and Rescue Team.

Hikers should not go into the mountains alone, and should tell friends or family which trails they are using and in which direction they are traveling, as well as when they are leaving and how long they plan to be gone. Hikers should wear clothing in bright colors, like orange, yellow or red.

Hikers also should travel with essential gear, such as a flashlight, food, water, clothing, fire-starting material, small signal mirror, whistle and some sort of rain barrier.

"We will keep going until we can find [Barbour]," Paneno said Thursday. "That's a very arduous area up there, with lots of cliffs and ice shoots. He could be anywhere."

Hikers who become lost while on a trail should stop moving and stay in one place, Patterson said. If possible, lost hikers also should try to use rocks and sticks to create signs, such as "SOS" or "X," large enough to be seen from a helicopter.

Anyone with information about Barbour's whereabouts should call the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-3545 or the Montrose Search and Rescue Team at 248-3464.