FRAZIER PARK, CA (Monday, Aug. 7, 2023 at 12:08 p.m.)—We have received word that the lost hiker has been found alive.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Monday, Aug. 7, 2023 at 8:55 a.m.)—Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reports that the hiker, Balaji Keshava, has not yet been located. This is the third day he has been missing since becoming separated from his Santa Clarita-based hiking group on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 5.

On Saturday, Aug. 5, at about 8:30 a.m., Balaji Keshava went hiking in the Chumash Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest.

Keshava was hiking with a group, but became separated and was last seen in the area of Sawmill Mountain (west of the Mt. Pinos summit).

He is 78 years old, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 165 pounds, last seen wearing a white t-shirt, gray shorts, black shoes, trekking poles and a blue backpack.

Keshava had telephone contact at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, and reported he was in good health, and had food and water. Keshava is an experienced hiker, but was unprepared to stay out overnight. Keshava was last seen in the area of Sawmill Mountain. Ventura County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue personnel searched throughout the night, but Keshava has not been located.

Search team members were continuing efforts to locate Mr. Keshava on Sunday, Aug. 5.

If you have any information on Keshava’s whereabouts, please contact Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 805-654-9511.

This is part of the August 4, 2023 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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