The MYSTERIOUS Disappearance of Actor Julian Sands and What REALLY Happened  

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I met Mr. Sands in 2013. Very sad loss. He was incredibly kind and down to Earth. Very nice, respectful video.

What a beautiful, engaging, gentle and non-judgemental story teller.

Losing Julian Sands broke my heart, which is weird because I don’t know him. It’s just so sad.

Thank you for covering this story with such empathy, Julian was such a great actor much loved here in England. Your voice is so calming, greetings from South Yorkshire 🇬🇧

I just found out that Julian Sands passed away from your video. I had a crush on him. He was so handsome. I’m sorry that he’s gone. May he rest in peace!

I’ve climbed Baldy twice. The first time was harder than I thought and harder than everyone in my party thought. The second time was with my wife, and once you get about 2/3ds of the way up, the trees thin out and you’re just climbing up and through boulders, brush & scree. The trail gets kind of hard to follow… it’s easy to get off of it and onto a game trail. At one point I almost started to panic. And I had done this very same climb six months earlier. My wife reminded me to breathe and drink some water and after a bit I was fine. We made it to the top, back down and home safely. But it’s different mountain every time you climb it. I’ve heard this said of all mountains and now I get it.

My son hikes the Appalachian Trail ALONE. It scares me to death. He does have one of those satellite communicators. This is such a sad story.

He died doing what he loved. I pray he didn't suffer. My thoughts and prayers with the family.

Mr. Sands' quote is not only quite beautiful, but also very down to Earth. In a way, what he was saying is that when you are that close to Nature, you realize you are part of it, you are a derivation of it. And you will join Nature once again when you die.

You mentioned that a lot of hiking tragedies happen with solo hikers. I've also noticed that they often involve day hikers. I guess this is obvious - when you aren't prepared to spend the night outdoors because you hoped to summit in one day, you can be in serious trouble when you unexpectedly can't make it back to the trailhead before dark.

I grew up in Upland, the city at the base of Mount Baldy, and spent as much time up there hiking and climbing as I could. It only took about 20 minutes to drive up to the snow lodge, so it was my backyard, lol. There weren’t even real trails back in the 90s; once you got a bit above the snow lodge you were on your own. People underestimate the terrain and conditions up there, especially during winter storms. I don’t believe it would have mattered if Julian had had a GPS unit, because by the time he was known to be missing the conditions up there were beyond rescue. Even if we had known exactly where he was on the mountain they would not have been able to get there to save him. Baldy was hammered by storms for weeks on end. IMHO, his primary mistake was picking that day to go up, knowing there was stormy weather coming in. Once he was on the mountain in a storm, the presence or lack of specific equipment probably didn’t matter. The entire situation quickly became lethal.

Julian Sands was an outstanding actor. I'm sorry he passed. Thank you for this excellent video.

This is how I find out that Julian Sands died? 🤯

I’m not wanting to comment but just wanted to say a word or two regarding the person who experienced ominous feeling that she couldn’t seem to shake. Back in my military days I was certified as Wilderness EMT and Search and Rescue team member. On more than one occasion I experienced the same kind of premonition and I’m NOT a psychic kinda person, but when these feelings came to me, I couldn’t shake ‘em. I know most folks don’t believe in things like this but they are real and still haunt me from time to time…I just wanted to comment on this phenomenon.

Julian Richard Morley Sands, 1/4/1958 - c.1/13/2023, 65, was an English actor who once said that his worst job ever was that being "Father Christmas at a department store" was probably his lowest, claiming the "plaintive sadness of the children’s unrealistic requests was almost unbearable".

I’m not an outdoor-type-girl, so mountain climbing/hiking is something I already know I will never partake in. With that being said, I don’t understand the harsh judgment that can be leveled at people who lose their lives doing this. It’s obviously something enjoyed by COUNTLESS people. I may not be interested in it myself, but who am I to judge others for their hobbies? I don’t care what the situation is, nobody deserves to have their life taken. I respect you for offering advice instead of demeaning others who have already paid the ultimate price for their passion. ❤ People can be quite cruel, especially on the internet, so I’m thankful to have found your community! ❤ Thanks from Ohio~

I grew up in the vicinity of Mt Baldy, a town named Sierra Madre. My family knew members of the local rescue team. They had numerous stories of people disappearing in those mountains, never to be seen again. Because much of the terrain is steep and has been mapped only by plane, making it difficult to find someone. It's not too hard to completely disappear in those mountains, in spite of the fact these mountains are next door to one of the biggest urban zones in the country

Thank very much for your touching video on Julian Sands' disappearance on a hike on Mount Baldy. I was bereft when I'd heard the news and even more so when rescue teams were hampered by extreme weather conditions. I remember being mesmerized by him and his performance in 'Room with a View', where I felt that something deeply enigmatic shone through. Thank you for also sharing his wonderful quote to conclude your presentation.

I live in upland now. Go up to baldy all the time. Love winter hikes up there it’s an amazing place right next to home. I was just up there trying to hike to a peak right by mt baldy but turned around at the saddle due to the snow being too soft and deep. I see countless people up there with zero gear needed to be safe in the winter. It’s terrifying. These are serious mountains I wish people would treat them that way. It’s almost like people think they’re going to Disney land not an actual alpine environment

I had that feeling once on the way to work riding through the park on my bike. It was really foggy and earey and I thought t myself, someone could be lying dead here and no one would see them. An abstract thought. On the next day I read in the paper that an old man had fallen in a shallow stream and drowned on my route. I had literally ridden past his body

Holy moly. I didn’t even know about any of this. Wow. Shocking. He was such a talented person.

Thank you for not using an A.I. voice over 🙏.

Thom, I noticed that both Julian Sands and your earlier hiking fatality, Chris Rufo were both on long circular climbs with long uphill stretches and no place to bail off the trail to easily return to a road or the trailhead. Of course, this is normal, and in both cases exacerbated by serious snow conditions. An idea to help mitigate losing hikers to exhaustion and exposure. Such trails should have simple signs posted every quarter to half mile, high enough not to be hidden in heavy snow. The signs should simply show how many miles and kilometers to trails end. The opposite side should show the same information going back the other way. So many hikers have no real idea where they are at any one time, and no idea which way lies closest safety. Probably not possible, but it would also be helpful to let hikers mark spots that have cell service. Some might say this is too expensive, but S&R is incredibly expensive, and the lives lost unnecessarily should outweigh the cost and inconvenience on long and seasonally risky routes.

Human intuition is an amazing thing. Your body story testifies to it! I’ve had similar senses and had them also turn out to sadly be true and always trust my intuition as a result. Great video, the loss of Sands is so tragic but hopefully people can learn something from this tragedy

You look like my grandfather. He lived in Switzerland in Murgtal, very remote. When we were up there he always said, do not go too far away, because "Hugo" lives there with its family. We always though, its fun, he wants to make us kids scared. But once we camped there, as adults, we discovered some strange caves, and in the night it was more than creepy. Some one was watching us.

That was great. Beautiful words by Julian Sands. I like that he says it’s about supplication and not ego driven.

A close friend took his life on Mt. Baldy. Randomly came across this video, my heart skipped a beat hearing where this happened.

You mentioned hiring a guide in the White Mountains. Probably a very wise decision, however, I had just read about the tragic death of Christopher Roma, the highly-experienced hiker and White Mountains guide who ran Northeast Trekking Company. It just happened last month, January, 2024, while he was solo hiking in the White Mountains. Yikes! "There is no justice in nature. There's only nature."

So sad..... We do become complacent in familiar territory.... I love hiking alone. Do it all the time.... May Julian Sands RIP

Just stumbled on this channel but really enjoyed this video. You dud a great job of giving other hiker's suggestions for safety without denigrating Mr. Sands. Well done.

This is the first i've learned that Julian Sands has passed on. i loved him in The Killing Fields about the Pol Pot genocide. xlnt acting, xlnt film. i'm sorry he's gone. the quote at this video's end is beautifully insightful. thank you for putting this together.

He was the most terrifying antagonist in that Warlock movie. A good man in real life by all reports.

Thank you for covering this story and mountain. I live 40 min away from mount baldy go hiking in that area often and it really is underestimated.

Ok that actually made me choke up at the end. I appreciate how beautiful your account of his journeys were. Thank you for a lovely video this morning❤

I live in California. I promise you- every mountain trail is mis-labeled in difficulty. They’re way harder than they say they are. I’ve backpacked a few of the ones that are listed as easy, and I almost needed rescue off of each and every one. The people who score the trails are super-pro hikers, not casuals. What’s easy to them (the pros) is probably- at the very least, a moderate trek for a casual hiker. My boyfriend, who hikes more than I do, agrees with this. So keep that in mind.

I've been skiing Mt Baldy since the late 70s. It's an incredibly beautiful, but VERY serious place. Some of the gnarliest resort skiing on earth. 5 years ago I was skiing with a group of Germans and Austrians up there in April 2019. I caught an edge on a rock while traversing and was sent headfirst downhill on an incredibly steep in-bounds pitch 150 yards from the base of Chair 3 in area known as "The Tube" at the ski resort. My fall was arrested when my skis caught the lower branches of a tree. There I was - stuck, hanging upside down, from my skis, with at least another 100 ' of 45 degree pitch below me before the bottom of a rocky ravine. Fortunately I wasn't alone - this time. Once they knew I was OK, my companions had a good laugh, snapping pictures and teasing me as I begged them to release my bindings and free me. (Hahaha m*therf*kers! Just wait 'till it's YOU hanging upsidedown from a Mt Baldy tree!) =) Again - this was in-bounds, off-piste, in warm, forgiving soft snow, late spring conditions with a half dozen other - expert - skiers. I could have died. Just a few hundred feet from the lift. Murdered by a softball sized rock who's position I slightly misjudged as I traversed a steep slope at the end of a run. If you decide to take a mid-winter backcountry stroll alone in the area, DONT. If you decide you must, don't do it alone. Don't do it without at least one ice axe, proper boots, crampons and/or skis, harnesses, ropes, carabiners, anchors, ice-screws, and belaying equipment. Carry a PLB, and enough water and food and clothing and shelter to survive for weeks or months f you get lost or disabled out there. Don't do it before or after a storm either. Even if you've summitted Everest. A dozen times. Trust me: Mt Baldy didn't read your climbing resume. Her idea of fun is to send huge avalanches of snow and rocks and ice chunks the size of basketballs careening down her flanks at you when you're not looking. To trip you 100 feet from the end of the road and send you 1,000 feet down an icy slope bouncing off the 100' tall 500 year old Jefferey Pines that cling precariously to her flanks. Even inside the ropes at the Ski Resort you are taking your life in your hands. People get jacked-up and die all the time up there, so leave the "micro-spikes" for the golf course Watch your every step or you'll make her angry. You won't like Mt Baldy when she's angry.

Solo hiking is so unwise. I will never understand why people insist on taking the risk of going alone.

What a shame... He seemed like such a gentle soul.

That's why it's called the wilderness. And too many people have little to no respect for that fact.

Thank you for a gracious and educational video. Mr. Sands died in a beautiful place, doing what he loved.

The movie and the novel 'Naked Lunch' is one of my favorites. But I never knew that Julian Sands were a mountaineer and a Hiking enthusiast, and I also never knew that he went missing on a hike and found dead. With life how it is, i just don't follow much of celebrity news. What a tragic story. Thank you, EverestMystery for the great content, great analysis, and great work over all on the subject of mountaineering, climbing and hiking. In my opinion its one of the greatest channels on the subject. Therefore, I just want to say thank you. Just keep doing what you're doing, and I have no doubt, that soon enough it will be a million+ subscriber channel. Thank you once again and Best of luck to you!

I'm not a hiker or mountaineer due to being homebound from chronic illness, but every video you make takes me to the wilderness I can no longer enjoy

I have found mountain climbing very fascinating in the past six months. I don’t quite have any interest in climbing myself but I truly love the videos you put out. It’s so interesting to hear your perspectives on things as someone who has been a climber yourself. I look forward to more videos!

I've just discovered and subscribed to your channel. You told this story so movingly and so well - no sensationalism, no preaching (but plenty of solid, sensible advice). I've visited (not climbed) Mt. Washington, and it's heartbreaking how often people underestimate the extraordinary challenges of this beautiful place.

Very interesting video. I've mentioned it before, but glad see you continuing to offer these lower altitude stories.

First time watching, first reaction was "Nice voice!". Enjoyed the storytelling too.

This is so sad. I thought he was a highly underrated actor.

I had been wondering what happened to him, this whole time. So sad now. May he RIP

Great upload as always. I remember being very relieved when I found out Mr. Sands had been found. I could tell how worried his family was and how desperately they wanted to find him. I appreciated the quote at the end. It explains a lot. Thanks again.

WOW…you are awesome my friend. Well-spoken, well thought and obviously. Well traveled. Subscriber!

Just found your video for the first time. I also follow David Paulidus Missing 411. I am obsessed with these stories. These people love the outdoors, and want the exercise and be close to nature. I feel close to God when I go hiking in the woods. It gives me time to enjoy the beautiful Earth that he created for us. I feel so bad for the remaining family. They must feel so helpless. Never getting closure or having a chance to say I love you one more time. I heard that not having the bigger spikes, not having the axe, and not having a GPS locating device did not help. Also maybe he didn't have enough cold wether gear, or a makeshift shelter or food. It is a very sad ending to a life. I feel bad that he had to die alone. May he RIP and the family know that we mourn with them.❤ I think his quote says that when he hikes to the summit he feels humble and gratitude towards God's creation. Sometimes at the right moment it can make you cry.😢 Great video.

You are an amazing orator😊

Just stumbled across this video and wanted to give my thanks/appreciation on your thoughtful delivery as a first-time viewer. Also, that quote from Julian Sands at the end was moving. May the mountain(s) remember his presence.

That really was such an informative and yet gracious video - thank you for sharing.

Regardless of the circumstances, in the end, Julian Sands left this life doing what he loved. I can only pray that when my time comes, I'm fortunate enough to meet the final adventure like he did... Crying tears of supplication in gratitude for a life well lived.

Thank you for the very informative and compassionate way in which you share these tragic events.

The Warlock himself.... definitely made me sad.

Really well said and especially the final reflection of a man who clearly understood he was the servant of the mountains. My condolences to his family. I would like to add as a kiwi, a New Zealander who took hundreds of students over what you know as Mt Doom and we know as the Tongariro crossing,k I was a PE teacher for 13 years and took 30=75 students at a time over those three mountains tramping (hiking) and skiing. We first took them to the mountain ranger hut and did an educational and a safety briefing. Then we checked all the things they needed and we went with provisions to allow for any conditions as we were doing this in the winter, 5 years in a row we got to the saddle and had to turn back with 3 classes, because the weather came down in a white out or there was an injury amongst the group or asthma attack. We taught the students you are as strong as your weakest person. We couldn’t send anyone back with another adult because by law we had to have 1 adult to every 4 students on the mountain or the sea. So we all came down and tried again another day. The students left knowing to report into the rangers hut before you leave even for a walk especially if you were on your own, but I do not believe in solo hiking or tramping. The amount of rescues we have in NZ from solo speed hikers and the people who refuse to report or take a bush telephone, avalanche signal or gps tracker in is unbelievable. Stop doing this, its so selfish, Ed Hillary didn’t go up Everest without a guide, he was the best in the business. I grieve for all those who have been lost often with every precaution taken. But think about those who must risk their lives to rescue you… its not fare to all of those brave souls in helicopters and on the ground because you had to climb that day or without proper equipment and resources. The mountain isn’t going anywhere mate, go to the hot pools, read a book about climbing but don’t risk your life foolishly and the lives or others .

RIP Julian, you were amazing❤

No mystery whatsoever. He went hiking during an enormous snowstorm. Great actor. Rest in peace

I just don’t understand why anyone would go out there in January??!! R.I.P. Julian I really loved you, even tho I didn’t know you. My heart broke when I heard you were missing. I prayed and prayed you’d be found. Just not 5 months later. 😢 You will be missed. Love and support to his children, wife, Friends and other family. 💙🙏🏽💙

What a wonderful voice and style of presentation! Thank you for your work.

A memorable and insightful quote from Sands about tears. You cover this subject matter with reverence.

I've climbed it more than 15 times and used to teach snowboarding at the local resort. Unofficially we were told at the resort that the area averages at least one fatality a year. I think it's more... I had one realy bad experience hiking in the spring after the last El Nino. It was May and from sea level you could not see any evidence of snow, however going up I saw plenty of it in the shadows of the mountain. What I had not anticipated was that in May that snow was going to turn to ice. Coming down the bowl towards the ski hut was where we hit the dangerous terrain. It is so steep that we were slipping and sliding on the ice. The only reason we did not slide to our deaths (there is nothing, other than trees to stop you from sliding down the hill and then right off of a near vertical cliff into the creek that feeds San Antonio falls. I always hypothesized Julian was in this area but still do not know where he was found to this day. But the only thing that saved us was that the snow had receded enough to expose Manzanita and since there was not a fresh layer of snow, all of the footprints and grooves in the snow carved out by other hikers were frozen solid and acted as support as we literally slid from tree to manzanita to grooves. Taking each 20-30 foot segment one by one, planning each move, anticipating the next. It was nuts and I will never do it again without cramp ons and an ice axe, at the very least. The danger is real, but I do plan on going back this summer to do an overnight photography session from the summit. If you find yourself trapped on Baldy and can hike to the top, do it. If you go to the north side of the peak where Cajun Pass is clearly visible, I have caught a clear cell phone signal there, facing Devil's Backbone. And if you go to the resort, it's a little rough, helmets are a good idea with the granite and abundance of trees.

Your body story is amazing Thom. Thank you for sharing it. Also great advice regarding hiking larger mountain the first time with a guide.

Thank you so much for this video. I had loved Julian sincethe 80s. You showed such empathy and kindness to what had happened. The quote at the end was a beautiful touch. It shows how kind you are. And I'm a new subscriber now!

I live near Mt Baldy and I admire it from a distance. Someone I used to work with has gone skiing there since he was a kid. One time he told me the mountain is haunted and then laughed. I can see why they would want to shut it down because of so many fatalities and rescue calls. It's probably not a good idea to hike alone no matter how much experience you have. I was sorry to hear at the time when Julian Sands went missing on the mountain. It sounds like maybe he lost his footing and fell. Condolences to his family and friends. Sure he will be missed. 🙏

Thank you for the update on Julian Sands. I remember when he went missing so sad he lost is life great actor who will be sadly missed.

This is the first time I watch a video from this channel. Thank-you for the story. This might seem corny but he loved the mountains and now will stay in the mountain. Hopefully he did not suffer. But as a final resting place, he might not have wanted it any other way. Take care, 🙂

Another awesome video, Been a EM fan for a long time now you been a steadfast creator . Wonderful stories, music, culture. STAY AWESOME.

Oh dear it is sad I just found through your video that This actor has passed poor guy it must have been scary

This reminds me of being in nature in our rural community. When I was growing up, I learned to trek through the mountains ridges here. I learned how to find my way out from where the sun would be in the sky. As an adult, my mom loved going hunting for ginseng ( a root used in medicines, etc, and that can bring a high price per pound, as it is rare.). I went with her, my dad, and a great uncle one day. We spent half the day walking down, scouring the ridges where ginseng could be found. I was more interested in the trek through nature, the sights of old “coke ovens”, where coal was mined and burned in the ovens, before transport out of the valley, up the mountain. I remember me and my dad going to the coke ovens, most had fallen in, but two were in perfect condition. We took photos, and just relished in the history of such an isolated place, so far from humanity. We finally met back up and decided to head back to the top of the mountain, towards home. We were later than we had hoped, amd I remember trying to feel our way out, because the sun sets on that side of the mountain faster, being on the eastern side. I remember seeing the firey end of my great uncle’s cigarette glowing as he inhaled. It was so dark, so fast, that the small , normally unnoticed light, lit up he darkness. We did make it home , safely. Because we knew the way, and used old logginf roads to get us back to the top. Had we not had those old roads, we would have been there for the night. No way could we have attempted to walk out, as unprepared as we were that day. It makes me wonder how those who go for treks in unknown places, feel the need to go without any tyoe of mountaineering equipment. I wouldnt go into a mountain unknown, necause even in terrain you are familiar with all of your life, it can take a second to get turned around in the woods, in the wild. Sad to hear it happens to so many, but, I do understand how it easily happens. Even today, almost 30 years since being in the coke ovens, there is no way, i would go into the same mountains I grew up in, because the terrain, the known sinkholes, have probably changed so much in 3 yeaes, I know I wouldnt recognize it.

thank you so much for posting this update. he will be missed by so many. i hope he found peace.

This is so informative! Great job, fantastic reporting!🌻🌼🐝 Keep it up 🙌

I love the way you told his story. Great job ❤

My Most vivid memory of his performances was in The Warlock. I don’t remember much about that film having not seen it for over 30 years. but I remember he had a very threatening presence as the titular character.

How sad. He was such a great actor. May you are now resting in peace Julian Sands. 🙏😔

Thank you for sharing his emotional quote at the end! It sums it up. I grew up in the mountains, have lived in them all my life (79 yrs so far) and have been trekking in Nepal twice with my dad. It's in my blood, but I would never entertain the idea of climbing Everest. I have climbed to around 16,000! and never had any problem with high altitude. We learned as kids to "never go alone". Good advice. Love your videos.

You're an amazing storyteller! I was riveted!! 💜

I have climbed 34 of Colorado's 14ers some of them more than once. I always made it a point to climb prepared to spend an unplanned night on the mountain so I and someone else could survive as I mostly climbed alone. My pack was always a little heavier but survival was a priority. I belonged to a mountain club and learned a lot about climbing prepared and my Bible was Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. I believe that many tragedies could be avoided with prudent climbing and preparation.

😮Such sad news😢What a unique gorgeous face he had, and I always desired more movies with him in German TV, which they sadly never did. And now found out, he was as wonderful human and grounded as I always felt him to be. RIP Mr. SANDS💫🙏✨

Thanks Thom, greetings from Australia, that was a really balanced, informative video. I agree, it would have been nice to go on a hike with Julian, he seemed to be a nice guy. Keep those great videos coming 👌

Loved Julian forever. Still can't believe it.

Wow ..God Bless and heal his precious family. What an incredible story Thank you for sharing 🙏

❤Great education with such wonderful compassion; thanks so much! Old lady in the Valley of CA. ❤❤❤Sending Love Love 💕

And a another banger of video and I would love to hear more of your story's sir. Peace from Berlin Germany

Just found your channel a day ago but I am amazed how much of info you could being us about different topics. You seen to be a very sensible and wise person. Keep up the good work!

I have backpacked in the Sierra Nevada, Rocky Mountains of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, but the San Gabriel Mtns of my home State are the most sever terrain I have ever encountered. John Muir was of a similar opinion. I grew up in Santa Barbara, CA. and we skied at Mammoth every year. One year in about 1984/85 I decided to try Mt. Baldy ski lifts which is near Mt. San Antonio. I was absolutely terrified at the terrain surrounding the ski area. The skiing is expert terrain in places, but nothing too bad if you have skied Utah, which I had at that point. The out of bounds areas are so steep, the ravine drop offs are places you can see from the trails/runs and you just know that if you fell down there you would not be coming back up. One of the last times I was there in 2019/20 season I there were helicopters over on Mt Baldy searching for missing climbers Seeing them flying the insane ridge lines as I rode down on chair one to the parking lot was chilling. The Ridges covered with meters of snow are accentuated in Winter. Truly humbling terrain.

I loved the movies and series he was in and I'm saddened to hear how he passed away. I grew up in Cali and I always remember on a clear day being able to see the mountain and I had no idea how many people have died on the mountain.

This is my home mountain. I just came from it today. I can tell you so many people underestimate this mountain. The weather can change at anytime.

Yes,always BE KIND BE KIND BE KIND !Your life will be so rewarding and boy does it feel good .

When ever i go hiking I always carry my powerful lazer.. Search and rescue can find you a lot easier..

Thank you for yet another great review, your well thought through observations including what Julian said in the interview he did. It was an incredible summation for anyone an a testament to a life well lived.

I loved Julian Sands as an actor. He was a wonderful talent. I kept hoping they would find him alive. I am so sorry he passed the way he did. Mx

Very well executed and articulated, chalk full of humanity.

I had no idea this happened. RIP Mr. Sands.

Very thoughtful analysis the actors motivation is to be at one with nature to forget your ego like walking medidation it humbles one because you can never undersetimate it respect and enjoy the beauty if you can.

Thank you for this video, appreciate you!

Wow I never heard this story! What a loss of a great actor.