Aug 25, 2021

Heat danger: Kan. man dies in Death Valley National Park

Posted Aug 25, 2021 4:55 PM
Golden Canyon Trailhead, with departing search and rescue team and   warning sign stating: extreme heat danger walking after 10 a.m. not recommended -Photo courtesy National Park Service
Golden Canyon Trailhead, with departing search and rescue team and warning sign stating: extreme heat danger walking after 10 a.m. not recommended -Photo courtesy National Park Service

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Death Valley National Park rangers are reminding visitors to limit stressful activities during blazing summer heat after another hiker died along the same trail within days.

Blake Chaplin, 52, of Leawood, Kansas, was found dead on Aug. 21 along the Golden Canyon Trail, the park said in a statement Tuesday.

A search-and-rescue team recovered the body after it was reported by an early morning hiker. The cause of death was being investigated by Inyo County authorities but foul play was not suspected, the park said.

Temperatures on Aug. 21-22 reached 109 degrees Fahrenheit ), below the daily normal of 115 F.

Authorities said Lawrence Stanback, 60, of San Francisco died on the same trail on Aug. 18. Heat stroke was suspected in his death.

A search-and-rescue team recovered the body after it was reported by an early morning hiker. The cause of death was being investigated by Inyo County authorities but foul play was not suspected, the park said.

Temperatures on Aug. 21-22 reached 109 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius), below the daily normal of 115 F (46 C).

Authorities said Lawrence Stanback, 60, of San Francisco died on the same trail on Aug. 18. Heat stroke was suspected in his death.