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California Man Dies Of Apparent Heat Stroke In Death Valley National Park

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Published Date

August 21, 2021
During the high heat of summer in Death Valley, visitors are urging to hike before 10 a.m./NPS

During the high heat of summer in Death Valley, visitors are urged to hike before 10 a.m./NPS

A 60-year-old California man died of apparent heat stroke while hiking in Death Valley National Park on a day when the temperature approached 120° Fahrenheit. 

According to park officials, Lawrence Stanback, of San Francisco, died Wednesday while hiking near Red Cathedral along the Golden Canyon Trail in Death Valley National Park. The temperature that day reached 119° Fahrenheit in the park.

National park staff had received a report of suspected heat stroke and CPR in progress at 1:40 p.m. local time. An inter-agency search and rescue was initiated, with park rangers responding on foot locating Stanback and confirming that he was deceased, a park release said. 

California Highway Patrol Inland Division Air Operations helicopter H-80 responded to assist with the recovery, but winds were too strong to safely land. In the cooler evening hours, park staff were able to safely complete the recovery. The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office and Inyo County Coroner are investigating the cause of death.  

Park rangers urge summer travelers to visit Death Valley safely by hiking only before 10 a.m. or at high elevations, drinking plenty of water, eating snacks, and by staying close to an air-conditioned building or vehicle to cool down in. 

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