Local hiker still missing in mountains

Family hopeful for return of Ronald Barbour, who left Jan. 16 for trek in San Bernardino County.

By Gary Moskowitz
News-Press

January 24, 2004

LA CRESCENTA — La Crescenta resident Marjorie Barbour has been waiting since Sunday for her husband, Ronald, to return from a hike in the Southland mountains, and she was still waiting Friday evening to hear something … anything.

Ronald Dean Barbour, who left Jan. 16 to go hiking and biking on the Pacific Crest Trail, was still missing Friday evening. Barbour was supposed to return home Sunday.

"We are trying to keep our hopes up, but the longer he's out there the harder it is to do that," Marjorie Barbour said Friday. "We've been sort of going around the house like zombies this week. But I'm hoping he will turn up and that they will find him soon."

Barbour is thought to be on the Pacific Crest Trail between Interstate 15 and Highway 138, according to reports.

Members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the Montrose Search and Rescue Team and several other volunteer organizations have been searching for Barbour since Monday, authorities said.

Marjorie and Ronald Barbour have been married 45 years and have lived in La Crescenta for more than 20 years. Two of the Barbour's five children are visiting from out of town this week and one of their sons lives in Tujunga, Marjorie said Friday.

Ronald Barbour, 69, is in "really good physical condition" and hikes frequently, but may not have been prepared for the extremely icy conditions that exist in the area, Marjorie said.

"I think it may have surprised him how icy it was up there," Marjorie said. "I know he had warm clothing and some food, and he may have had snow gear like an ice ax, but I'm not sure."

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.