Sands, known for his roles in films including “A Room With a View,” was reported missing on January 13 after hiking in the Mount Baldy area, which prompted an intense search. Bad weather and the threat of avalanches hampered an early search for the 65-year-old, with rescuers using helicopters and drones when conditions became too rough for a ground search.
Earlier this week, before the remains were reported, Sands’ family issued its first statement since his disappearance, thanking the search teams and coordinators who “worked tirelessly to find Julian,” the Associated Press reported.
“We still hold Julian in our hearts with bright memories of him as a wonderful father, husband, explorer, lover of the natural world and the arts, and as an original and collaborative performer,” said the family.
Since January, authorities have conducted eight searches for Sands, and volunteers have spent more than 500 hours searching for him, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says. earlier this month. The Associated Press reports that Sands is married with three children.
On June 17, more than 80 volunteers searched for sand but were again unsuccessful, the sheriff’s department said.
Even in warmer weather, she added, large parts of Mount Baldy remain “inaccessible due to the harsh alpine conditions”. “The multi-terrain areas include steep valleys, which still have more than 10 feet of ice and snow.” Mount Baldi has a maximum elevation of 10,000 feet.
authorities after Sands’ disappearance warn people of Hiking Mount Baldy amid “extremely adverse and dangerous” conditions in the area, including high winds, snow and ice.
At least two hikers perished in waterfalls in or around Mount Baldy during the four weeks leading up to Jan. 18, the Sheriff’s Department said.
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