Authorities are investigating the theft of thousands of dollars in cash and camping equipment from a locked van atop Mount Tamalpais on Friday.

The victims, a group of Austrian college students traveling on a geology field trip, reported the incident at approximately 3 p.m. Friday, said Mt. Tamalpais State Park ranger Ryen Goering.

The group had parked two 15-passenger vans at the mountain’s East Peak parking lot, with luggage containing cash, credit cards, clothing and other personal belongings locked inside, Goering said. They returned to find one of the locks had been vandalized. Approximately $2,000 in cash and $3,000 to $4,000 in personal belongings were missing.

Although thefts are common at many state parks and campsites, the incident was unusual for East Peak because the dead-end location makes it difficult to escape, Goering said. “It’s pretty bold,” he said of the theft.

The theft was reported to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office. No suspects had been identified by Sunday night.