71-year-old hiker dies in 121-degree heat at Death Valley National Park, officials say
A 71-year-old hiker died at a trailhead in Death Valley National Park in California when temperatures reached 121 degrees, rangers said.
Bystanders found the man from Los Angeles collapsed outside restrooms at about 3:40 p.m. on July 18 at the Golden Canyon Trailhead, the National Park Service said in a July 19 news release.
Rescuers couldn’t reach the man by helicopter because of the heat, rangers said.
When rangers got to the scene at 3:47 p.m., they performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator, but he died.
The man was wearing a sun hat, hiking clothes and a backpack, so rangers said they believed he had been hiking the trail.
Park officials suspect his death was heat-related because the temperature was 121 degrees at about the time he died.
A coroner will determine the official cause of death.
Another man died in Death Valley during triple-digit heat. On July 3, a 65-year-old from San Diego was found dead in his vehicle in 126-degree heat. His windows were down, and his air conditioner wasn’t working.
Death Valley is known as the “hottest place on earth and driest place in North America.”
It isn’t uncommon for the area to reach 120 degrees during the summer, according to park officials.
The national park reached a record 134 degrees on July 10, 1913.
Beating the heat
When temperatures are extremely high, some people’s bodies can have trouble regulating temperature.
In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If heat exhaustion persists for too long, however, it can lead to heatstroke, the most serious form of heat injury. People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin. They also can have a fast and strong pulse, and they can become confused. People should move indoors immediately and call 911 right away if they have symptoms.
If people choose to hike or be outdoors in dangerously hot temperatures, officials recommend the following tips:
Carry and drink plenty of water and plan to replenish electrolytes.
Eat twice as much food as normal and have salty foods on hand.
Carry a first-aid kit.
Pack essentials only.
Bring a flashlight with spare batteries to hike during the cool evening.
Spray yourself with water to cool down.
Have a hat and sunscreen as protection from the sun.
Have a whistle or signal for emergency use.
Wear waterproof clothing.
This story was originally published July 20, 2023 at 1:52 PM with the headline "71-year-old hiker dies in 121-degree heat at Death Valley National Park, officials say."
