Hiker's body found in San Bernardino Mountains

Ronald Barbour likely fell to his death while doing what he loved most, his wife says.

By Darleene Barrientos
News-Press

January 27, 2004

GLENDALE — The body of a 69-year-old La Crescenta man missing for a week was discovered Sunday in a mountain ravine where he apparently fell to his death while hiking, authorities said.

After several search-and-rescue crews combed the San Bernardino Mountains for seven days without any luck, a lone hiker spied Ronald Dean Barbour's boot in the snow Sunday afternoon, said Mike Leum, a reserve chief with Montrose Search and Rescue.

Barbour apparently fell from a 15-foot boulder into a ravine near Acorn Trail, part of the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Bernardino Mountains. The 7,000-foot range is southeast of Mountain High ski resort.

Barbour suffered a broken leg and major head trauma and most likely died instantly, Leum said.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marjorie; sons Jim and Randy; daughters Cindy, Beverly and Eleanor; two grandsons and two granddaughters.

Barbour died doing what he loved most — hiking — his wife said Monday.

"I would say hiking was his absolute passion. He would do it anytime he had a chance," Marjorie Barbour said. "If you wanted to make him smile, you would break out the topographical maps."

Barbour was a retired certified public accountant and an active member of the Crescenta Valley Chapter of the Sierra Club. He wanted to hike the whole Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from the border of Mexico to Canada. He was in the process of doing it in small chunks, his wife said.

The news that her husband's body was found stunned Marjorie Barbour, who continued to hold out hope that he would be found alive.

"[Ronald's death] will leave a great big hole in my life," she said.

The death of an avid and experienced hiker is another reminder that certain rules should be followed when hiking the wilderness, Leum said.

Hikers should never go alone. A plan should always be made and others told of the plan, Leum said. Hikers should also always have the proper gear.

"You don't have to make a lot of mistakes out there to get in trouble," Leum said. "All you have to do is forget one of those things and you can be in a world of problems."

Ronald Barbour, Leum said, went hiking alone and did not tell his wife exactly where he was going to be hiking.