Found Safe CA - Eric Desplinter, 33, & Gabrielle Wallace, 31, hikers, Mt. Baldy, San Bernardino Co., 6 Apr 2019

[cybervampira]

Search and Rescue operation continues for two missing hikers in the Mount Baldy area from SBSD - Headquarters : Nixle

On April 6, 2019, Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call regarding two overdue hikers in the Mount Baldy area. The caller reported their friends Eric Desplinter and Gabrielle Wallace were last seen at approximately 10:00 AM on the morning of April 6th. The two were believed to be headed toward Cucamonga Peak. Desplinter and Wallace were supposed to return by 7:00 PM. When they did not return by 8:00 PM their friend called and asked for assistance. Deputies responded to the area where the hikers’ vehicle was parked and initiated a search.

Attempts to call the two were unsuccessful. Desplinter is an experience hiker and was last seen wearing a yellow jacket and green pants. Wallace was last seen wearing a gray sweater and jeans. They are believed to have a limited amount of food and water.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Division has been onscene since the onset of the call. Multiple helicopters have been actively searching for the two and are supporting Search and Rescue volunteers who are searching on foot. A command post has been established in the Mount Baldy area. On April 8, 2019, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department requested additional resources from the California Office of Emergency Services. Search and Rescue teams from Los Angeles and San Diego Counties have responded and are assisting.

Anyone who may have seen Desplinter or Wallace in the Mount Badly area is asked to Sheriff’s Dispatch. Additionally, anyone who may be going up to the Mount Badly / Cucamonga Peak areas and sees the subjects is asked to call.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

Chino Hills man, Rancho Cucamonga woman missing in Mount Baldy area

 

[Trudie]

Glad he’s experienced, hopefully they are not injured. Maybe before sunset they’ll be found.

 

[ClaireNC]

Desplinter and Wallace were last seen about 10 a.m. the same day when they left on the Ice House Canyon trail headed toward Cucamonga Peak. and Wallace were last seen about 10 a.m. the same day when they left on the Ice House Canyon trail headed toward Cucamonga Peak.
Search Continues for Hikers Who Disappeared in Mt. Baldy Area on Saturday

 

[Davia18]

I goggled Cucamonga Peak and was reading reviews. Lots say bring lots of water. People stated they have gotten dehydrated. Also one review stated 3 weeks ago that it's a challenging hike. I hope they find them today and they are ok.

 

[GraceG]

I goggled Cucamonga Peak and was reading reviews. Lots say bring lots of water. People stated they have gotten dehydrated. Also one review stated 3 weeks ago that it's a challenging hike. I hope they find them today and they are ok.

It says "you need a permit to hike in the Cucamonga Wilderness, and it’s easy and free. A box at the trailhead has permit forms for you to fill out. Bring a pen. If there are no forms, fill out your info on a piece of paper and leave it." from The Cucamonga Peak Hike - HikingGuy.com Has anyone checked to see if they filled out the form and indicated their route and timeline? That's a pretty grueling hike.

 

[GordianKnot]

Search continues Monday for hikers who disappeared near Mt. Baldy
SFA:

9 members of#LASD Search and Rescue Teams are assisting@sbcountysherifflook for two missing hikers in the #MtBaldy,@SBCounty

 

[Cryptic]

Search continues Monday for hikers who disappeared near Mt. Baldy
SFA:

9 members of#LASD Search and Rescue Teams are assisting@sbcountysherifflook for two missing hikers in the #MtBaldy,@SBCounty

Hoping for the best…

The recent highs have been balmy. Though night time temperatures have dipped below freezing (presumably at the summit?), there does not seem to have been any snow or freezing rain. Hopefully wind chill has not been too bad either. Above freezing temperatures should also mean running creeks on the mountain.

Being cold at, or around freezing can make one miserable. Being cold and wet at that same temperature can be fatal. Then factor in that there are several well equipped agencies looking for the couple. All of the above would seem to indicate a good outcome-hopefully soon.

 

[mxprincess399]

I don't post often but this area is close to me. First it's bothering me that she had jeans on. Who hikes in jeans?

Next, on the All Trails app/website there is a comment from some one who hiked tried hiking the Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak trail yesterday but had to turn back at the Cucamonga Saddle due to hard ice covering parts of the switchbacks.

A comment from last week states there was no trial at all and you must have an ice axe and crampons (had to look that one up...A crampon is a traction device that is attached to footwear to improve mobility on snow and ice during ice climbing). This hiker stated it's very slippy once the ice starts melting.

Hoping these 2 are ok.

 

[GraceG]

Here's a link to the All trails app, mxprincess399 found. The comments concerning trail conditions are very concerning. Based on the initial reports neither of them seemed dressed or equipped for such a long hike (street clothes and limited food and water, no reports of backpacks either). Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak Trail

 

[Herat]

Those trail descriptions are not for the ill-prepared!

No backpacks- so they couldn’t have intended to go very far on a 11.6 mile hike.

 

[Cryptic]

Those trail descriptions are not for the ill-prepared!

No backpacks- so they couldn’t have intended to go very far on a 11.6 mile hike.

Good point.

Even an impulse hiker(s) who intended to finish a hike of that distance probably would have brought a light book bag / back pack.

The lack of one could indicate that they were there just to "check things out", then got disoriented. As they might not have intended to go all the way to the peak, hopefully they have gotten lost at lower elevations.

This would mean warmer temperatures, and apparently dry conditions- though still not a lot of fun at night. I have read that one can go three days in high temperatures with out water. The couple has access to water by snow (must be melted somehow before drinking) and possibly running creeks. Likewise, one can go for a far longer period with out food- again, not a lot of fun.

That would seem to leave falls as the main hazard. Does anybody know if there are a lot of dangerous cliffs in the area (hopefully not)?

 

[Trudie]

I don't post often but this area is close to me. First it's bothering me that she had jeans on. Who hikes in jeans?

Next, on the All Trails app/website there is a comment from some one who hiked tried hiking the Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak trail yesterday but had to turn back at the Cucamonga Saddle due to hard ice covering parts of the switchbacks.

A comment from last week states there was no trial at all and you must have an ice axe and crampons (had to look that one up...A crampon is a traction device that is attached to footwear to improve mobility on snow and ice during ice climbing). This hiker stated it's very slippy once the ice starts melting.

Hoping these 2 are ok.

Have you heard any update? Asking since you’re local.
Tysm for the info you provided.

 

[Dorff16]

Here's a link to the All trails app, mxprincess399 found. The comments concerning trail conditions are very concerning. Based on the initial reports neither of them seemed dressed or equipped for such a long hike (street clothes and limited food and water, no reports of backpacks either). Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak Trail

I know Eric did have all the proper clothes and equipment like a pack, walking poles etc for the hike. They intended to go to the summit but split up when the rest of the group turned back. The group was training for Mt Whitney. Eric
is an experienced hiker. Reports state there was a storm that dropped about 4' of snow so rescue crews cant even make it up as of yet.

 

[Tripod]

I know Eric did have all the proper clothes and equipment like a pack, walking poles etc for the hike. They intended to go to the summit but split up when the rest of the group turned back. The group was training for Mt Whitney. Eric
is an experienced hiker. Reports state there was a storm that dropped about 4' of snow so rescue crews cant even make it up as of yet.

4' of snow! I wonder if they were able to ping their phones? Hoping for the best.

 

[ly502]

I know Eric did have all the proper clothes and equipment like a pack, walking poles etc for the hike. They intended to go to the summit but split up when the rest of the group turned back. The group was training for Mt Whitney. Eric
is an experienced hiker. Reports state there was a storm that dropped about 4' of snow so rescue crews cant even make it up as of yet.

When was the snow?! And yes, very odd to venture out on this type of hike in street clothes. And they were with a group - one that was arranged or one that they happened to meet up with while on the trail?

 

[GraceG]

I know Eric did have all the proper clothes and equipment like a pack, walking poles etc for the hike. They intended to go to the summit but split up when the rest of the group turned back. The group was training for Mt Whitney. Eric
is an experienced hiker. Reports state there was a storm that dropped about 4' of snow so rescue crews cant even make it up as of yet.

Thanks, the initial reports had no mention of equipment or anything other than street clothes. This will give them an edge if lost.

 

[ly502]

Still quite confused...if they were training, then why the street clothes and reports of lack of water? And any reports of why they separated from the group?

 

[MT_Catt]

Search resumes today.

Crews in Mt. Baldy Area Prepare to Resume Search for Hikers Missing Since Saturday

 

[Herat]

Still quite confused...if they were training, then why the street clothes and reports of lack of water? And any reports of why they separated from the group?

Possibly this was another couple or they were in street clothes when they departed from home but changed later?

 

[Cryptic]

4' of snow! I wonder if they were able to ping their phones? Hoping for the best.

Where are the reports of snow- and especially four feet of snow coming from? The weather forecast that I was able to find mentioned clear skies.