Search for Missing Hiker in Borrego Suspended; Family To Continue Looking

The search by authorities for a man who disappeared in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on Easter Sunday has been suspended. However, his family is not giving up hope.

Guillermo Pino, 26, was last seen sitting on a ledge above a cave in a rugged area of terrain, according to his sister, Michelle Pino-Knaak, in this NBC TV report. He was hiking and exploring caves with her and her husband. Pino was an experienced hiker, they said.

Pino vanished in an area called Arroyo Tapiado, which is known as the "badlands" for its loose dirt, washes, ravines and caves. There has been virtually no trace seen of him. He was last seen wearing a white shirt with black plaid and jeans. He was not wearing shoes or carrying water, food, a cell phone or flashlight.

The caves in the area go vertically, horizontally and diagonally, which made the search a challenging undertaking, Sgt. Don Parker of San Diego Sheriff's Search and Rescue Unit said in the TV report.

The search is no longer being done by authorities however the family will continue to look for Pino.

"After a final large push this past weekend—150 (people) approximately—the search has not yielded any positive results and has been suspended," Sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell told Patch by email.

Pino was taking a year off from studying for a psychology degree at U.C. San Diego, his sister said.  She said he seemed to be having a great time with them on the day he disappeared.

In addition to the local Sheriff's search unit, similar units came in to help with the search from Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Sheriff's Departments. Other groups helping with the search included:

• Borrego Sheriff's substation
• Red Cross
• San Diego Mountain Rescue
• Sycuan Fire Department
• State Parks
• BORSTAR (Border Patrol Search, Trauma, Rescue Unit)
• Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter