Search continues for California hikers missing 3 days

MOUNT BALDY VILLAGE, Calif. (AP) — Authorities are searching a snowy, mountainous area in Southern California for two hikers who’ve been missing for three days.

Two dozen search and rescue members are looking for 33-year-old Eric Desplinter of Chino Hills and 31-year-old Gabrielle Wallace of Rancho Cucamonga. In addition to the boots on the ground, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department says it’s using a helicopter Tuesday.

The department says 16 of the searchers were airlifted to the top of 8,860-foot (2,700-meter) Cucamonga Peak to avoid covering ground that’s already been searched.

Crews have found a beanie, instructions on how to use crampons for ice-hiking, and a trekking pole, though it’s unclear if they belong to Desplinter or Wallace.

The pair were believed headed toward Cucamonga Peak and were supposed to have returned by Saturday evening.