Solo Mount Baldy Hiker Still Missing, 3 Others Rescued After Spending a Night amid Severe Weather

Three hikers were rescued after spending a cold night on Mount Baldy in Southern California on Monday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) reports. However, the solo hiker who went on the hike is still missing, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCS).

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Wednesday that they have not yet located solo passenger Lifei Huang. A 22-year-old woman also left on Sunday, and was reported missing around 11 p.m

Huang “started hiking by himself around 2 p.m. and has not been heard from since around 4 p.m.,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.

Missing hiker, 78, who was separated from group in California, rescued after almost 48 hours

Nearly 12 hours after she started her hike, around 2:30 a.m. Monday, the sheriff’s West Valley Search and Rescue team began searching for Huang.

“On Tuesday, search and rescue teams continued their search in extremely heavy snowfall, however, the danger of avalanches hindered the search, so the teams were withdrawn from the mountain,” the statement continued. “Search and rescue personnel will remain at the trailhead and will continue the search when it is safe to do so.”

In addition, the SBCS recommends that people not go hiking during “this inclement weather.”

Rescue team at Mount Baldy, California, February 5, 2024.

LASD

Three other hikers were rescued by San Dimas and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue teams around 1 p.m. Monday on the Bear Canyon Trail.

“Search and rescue teams navigated rain, snow and a 4,000-foot ascent during the 4-mile hike to the lost hikers,” LASD said. After a four-hour search, the victims were located at approximately 8,200-8,400 feet above sea level.

“The hikers, who spent the night hunched over, were evaluated and determined to be able to be escorted back down the trail through the snow and wet weather to safety,” the sheriff’s department continued.

Once at the mountain station, the hikers and search and rescue team members were assessed and medically examined by emergency medical personnel.

San Diamas Mountain Rescue on Mount Baldy, California, February 5, 2024.

LASD

Prior to the trio’s hike, “they left their itinerary with relatives, who notified authorities,” Sierra Madre Search and Rescue said in a statement. “Given the adverse weather conditions and the potential difficulty of the operation, San Dimas Mountain Rescue requested assistance from Sierra Madre Search and Rescue.”

The hikers were instructed to “shelter in place overnight until SAR personnel meet and hike with them.” They were then told to mark their location via the CalTopo link. The San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team remained in contact with the hikers through Sunday evening.

The next morning, five members of Sierra Madre Search and Rescue and three members of San Dimas hiked the four-mile trail and met the hikers at their location around 1 p.m.,

As crews and hikers descended the mountain, another team joined them and brought hot chocolate, tea and sandwiches, according to Sierra Madre Search and Rescue. By 5 p.m., mountaineers and rescue teams had come down from the mountain.

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Rescue teams and missing hikers on Mount Baldy, California on February 5, 2024.

LASD

“On Tuesday, search and rescue teams continued their search in extremely heavy snowfall, however, the danger of avalanches hindered the search, so the teams were withdrawn from the mountain,” the statement continued. “Search and rescue personnel will remain at the trailhead and will continue the search when it is safe to do so.”

In addition, the SBCS recommends that people not go hiking during “this inclement weather.”

LASD

Anyone with information about Huang is urged to contact the Fontana Sheriff’s Station at 909-356-6767. Callers who wish to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

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Source: HIS Education