On the evening of November 27, Inyo County Sheriff’s Office received notification by Death Valley National Park of a missing hiker, Rolin Bruno, a 76-year old man from Arrowbear, CA.
Bruno planned on hiking up Hunter Canyon out of Saline Valley to cache water for a future hike in the Spring, prior to meeting family members at Saline Valley Hot Springs on November 27. When Bruno did not arrive, family members notified the campground host. Bruno was hiking alone. (It is unclear whether Bruno’s hike occurred on Monday, November 25 or Tuesday, November 26.)
On Thursday, November 28 a severe winter storm impeded search efforts. Aerial reconnaissance was requested for Friday, November 29; CHP Inland Division Air Operations initially responded, however, a fog layer made flying impossible in the morning. China Lake Naval Air Station was requested to provide aerial support once the fog layer lifted; Inyo Search and Rescue (SAR) members were on board providing additional assistance.
Saturday, November 30, 11 Inyo SAR members conducted extensive search assignments in the area. Aerial searching was provided by CHP Inland Division Air Operations. A drone was deployed in order to reach more remote areas and provide additional search information to the team. Due to extremely icy conditions on Saline Valley’s “South Pass”, the team was almost unable to drive out of the search area. Sunday, December 1, winter weather disallowed flying or driving into the search area.
On Monday, Dec 2, as the weather cleared, two Inyo SAR members were hoisted from CHP H-80 into more remote areas high in the search zone to check structures and mining ruins. Additional aerial searching was provided by CHP Inland Division Air Operations with Inyo SAR members on board.
Tuesday, December 3, six Inyo SAR members were inserted into the search area by Kern County Air Operations. SAR members from China Lake Mountain Rescue Group drove into the search zone and combed lower segments of the area. Inyo Sheriff’s Office deputies also drove to the sight and conducted investigations at the vehicle and searched nearby mining cabins.
Yesterday, winter weather hampered search efforts. Overhead planning teams are working on the next phase of the search operation.
If anyone from the public has seen Bruno you are encouraged to contact Inyo Sheriff at 760-878-0383 option 4.
Bruno is 5’11”, 170lbs, white male, long grey hair, grey beard, brown eyes, possibly wearing a flannel or denim shirt and blue jeans.
Inyo County Sheriff’s Office
Yesterday at 1:33 PM ·
Bruno SAR
HUNTER CANYON, CA. December 4, 2019 – On November 27 (evening), Inyo County Sheriff’s Office received notification by Death Valley National Park of a missing hiker, Rolin Bruno, a 76-year old man from Arrowbear, CA. Bruno planned on hiking up Hunter Canyon out of Saline Valley to cache water for a future hike in the Spring, prior to meeting family members at Saline Valley Hot Springs on November 27. When Bruno did not arrive, family members notified the campground … See More