Dangers Rise in Mountain Hiker Search

Rescue crews braved a small avalanche, fierce winds and frigid temperatures in Thursday’s continuing search for two missing hikers in San Bernardino County mountain ranges.

Authorities appealed to the state for more high-mountain rescuers to replace exhausted Southern California crews, who in the last three weeks have recovered the bodies of four hikers and rescued half a dozen others locally.

“The resources have just been used up,” said San Bernardino County sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Beavers, noting that the teams are all specially trained volunteers. “They have jobs and they have to go to work.”

Ronald Barbour, 69, of La Crescenta has not been seen since he left home Friday for a three-day hike and bike ride on the Pacific Crest Trail near Wrightwood, in the San Gabriel Mountains. His bicycle was found less than half a mile from his parked car at Acorn Drive and Finch Road, stashed in thick brush.

Eugene Kumm, 25, of Seal Beach was last seen heading toward snow-capped Mt. San Gorgonio in the San Bernardino National Forest early Sunday morning. Kumm had spoken to a ranger about how to use crampons, special ice hiking spikes that are attached to boots.

There was no sign of either man Thursday, despite intensive efforts by search teams. Both men were described to authorities by family members as “strong-willed.”

While that trait could help them maintain a hopeful attitude if stranded in difficult conditions, it also may have led to the missteps that left them stranded, authorities said. They continued to urge hikers not to head out alone. They said ice axes, crampons and helmets should be used, and hikers should be prepared to sleep in the wild if necessary.

“A lot of times, if you try to muscle your way out of a problem, it just compounds the problems,” said Cpl. Bill Fertig of the San Bernardino County sheriff’s emergency operations section.

As they scoured the wilderness, and even with no clues to the missing men turning up, Fertig and other emergency workers clung to memories of successful winter rescues.

“You never give up on ‘em,” Fertig said.

Fertig said a crew searching for Barbour would spend a fourth sleepless night alternately sounding emergency horns and shining lights in the wilderness surrounding the spot where he was last seen. But worsening conditions have hampered the searches.

“It is windy, and I’m told the conditions are getting dangerous for the teams as they go on, because we’re having a change in weather,” Beavers said. “They’ve got ice and snow, and possible avalanche conditions.”

About 20 rescuers and a dog team fanned out along new trails after failing to turn up any clues along the route Barbour had told his family he planned to take. One team in that search narrowly escaped a small avalanche.

“Fortunately,” Fertig said, “the only thing hurt was a little bit of pride and some bent metal.”

In the Gorgonio search, helicopters landed crews near the 11,500-foot peak Thursday morning. Another crew hiked below, up the trail from the campground, trying to retrace Kumm’s path.

Conditions were clear, but cold and icy, said Robin Haynal, a sheriff’s spokeswoman stationed at the Gorgonio command post.

The searchers plan to press on through the weekend, although rain and snow are expected.