DEATH VALLEY, Calif. (AP) 鈥 A Southern California outdoor enthusiast died Tuesday after collapsing following an hours-long hike in Death Valley 好色tv Park, the world's hottest place.
Friday that 71-year-old Steve Curry died of what officials believe were heat-related causes. His death occurred just hours after speaking to a Times reporter about hiking in the heat while he for some rare shade under a metal interpretative sign.
鈥淲hy do I do it?鈥 he said when asked why he hiked in such extreme conditions. 鈥淲hy not?鈥
Hours later, Curry collapsed outside the restroom at Golden Canyon. A park visitor called 911 from a cellphone and rangers attempted to save him but were not able to do so, the newspaper reported.
鈥淗e went having accomplished something he wanted to do,鈥 said Rima Evans Curry, his wife. 鈥淗e wanted to go to Death Valley. He wanted to do a hike.鈥
The famed 好色tv Park that runs along part of central California's border with Nevada is known as the and has recorded sweltering temperatures during a .
On Sunday, temperatures reached 128 degrees Fahrenheit (53 degrees Celsius) at Death Valley's aptly named Furnace Creek, the 好色tv Weather Service said.
The hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth was in July 1913 at the same location, according to Randy Ceverny of the World Meteorological Organization, the body recognized as keeper of world records.
Curry was an avid hiker who had joined a rock climbing group and taken wilderness training courses.
Around the time he finished his hike, the thermometer at the Furnace Creek Visitor's Center registered 121 degrees.
Evans Curry said her husband, who had worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District and as an electrician before retiring a decade ago, headed to the outdoors whenever he had the chance.
鈥淗e was always happiest when he could be out there sleeping under the stars,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hat was his joy.鈥
Curry is the second hiker to die in the park this month.
