No sign of British actor Julian Sands after 6 days missing in California mountains

By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The search for British-born film star Julian Sands, best known for his role in "A Room with a View," pressed on for a sixth day

in the snow-covered mountains of Southern California with no sign of the 65-year-old actor, authorities said on Thursday. The performer was reported missing on Friday

evening, Jan. 13, after he had gone hiking alone in the Baldy Bowl area of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Los Angeles, according to the San

Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. A search was immediately initiated in the area, but ground teams were pulled out on Saturday evening due to avalanche risks and poor

trail conditions, said the sheriff's department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez. Intermittent aerial searches by helicopter and drone aircraft have continued, however, and

authorities planned to resume a ground search once conditions allow, she said. "We had an air crew up today and there were no signs of Mr. Sands," Rodriguez told Reuters by

email. The Baldy Bowl, a large sloping area below the crest of the Mount Baldy ski area, is a popular destination for skiers, climbers and backpackers. And Rodriguez said

Sands was believed to be an experienced hiker. Cellphone signals detected on Sunday, Jan. 15, showed Sands was then heading to the Mount Baldy area, apparently the latest

indication he was still on the move. Subsequent attempts to "ping" his Apple iPhone failed, "due to the lack of cell service and most likely cell phone power failure," the

department said in an update posted on Thursday.