Hikers who found Julian Sands’ remains on mountain recall ‘surreal’ experience: ‘He was dressed like a ninja’

https://nypost.com/2023/08/11/hikers-who-found-julian-sands-remains-recall-surreal-experience/

His body was found by local hikers on June 24 after months of unsuccessful search efforts.

The leader of the hiking group who, like all hikers in the area, was well aware Sands had gone missing on the mountain, had an eerie fear in the back of her mind: “I hope we don’t find a dead body today,” she told the Los Angeles Times.

Three hours later, the group said they weren’t surprised when they spotted a lone boot. And then another boot, a trekking pole and, finally, human bones.

They found a pile of dark winter clothing and a wallet nearby. Inside the wallet was a driver’s license with Sands’ familiar face looking back at them. The name on the ID confirmed their suspicions.

“It was surreal,” hiker Bill Dwyer told the outlet.

What was most concerning to the hikers was the lack of equipment found near the remains necessary for such a dangerous winter hike.

They did not find a backpack, which could have contained necessary survival supplies, and noted he was “dressed like a ninja” in dark clothing, making him hard for rescuers to spot.

The hikers also noted that he was wearing microspikes — small metal cleats that are great for hiking on snowy trails, but not for icy mountain trails, where crampons, heavy spikes strapped to hiking boots, are necessary, according to the LA Times.

They also found no signs of a helmet or an ice axe. They did find Sands’ cellphone perched on a rock beneath a tree, but most of the mountain does not get reception.

The search for the English actor was hindered by the weather. After he had been reported missing, the county sheriff’s office conducted eight land and air searches, totaling more than 500 hours and costing over $100,000, according to the LA Times.