Looming Winter Storm Intensifies Search for Hiker Near Warner Springs

Search teams from Riverside and Los Angeles expected to help look for Chris Sylvia

Search crews are racing against an incoming winter storm as they cover San Diego’s East County Friday looking for a hiker last seen two weeks ago.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said it expects search teams from Riverside and Los Angeles to help look for Chris Sylvia.

Sylvia, 28, left Anza Borrego on Thursday, Feb.12 to hike the Pacific Crest Trail south to Campo.

He was supposed to meet a friend in Lost Valley for a refill of food supplies but he never arrived. The friend assumed he had kept hiking but when Sylvia didn’t arrive in Campo, the friend called officials.

On Tuesday, other hikers on the trail found Sylvia's sleeping bag, backpack and other personal belongings just north of Warner Springs about 13 miles off Highway 79.

That area was searched Thursday by 50 to 60 people.

Sylvia is described as 5-feet, 8-inches tall, 155 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

He was last seen in brown hiking boots, dark colored jacket and green pants.

A winter storm watch has been issued for the mountains east of San Diego with up to a foot of snow expected to fall in some places.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Diego Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200.

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