Posted on 08/23/2026 7:15:36 PM PDT by BenLurkin
A 68-year-old tourist from France died after he and a traveling companion became stranded on a remote road in Death Valley National Park, one of the hottest places on Earth during the summer months.
Pierre Michel Formosa and his companion, also from France, were traveling along West Side Road on Monday, Aug. 17, when their vehicle became stuck in mud near Queen of Sheba Mine Road, according to a news release from the National Park Service.
With no other vehicles nearby, the two men left their vehicle and began walking across the salt flats toward Badwater Road in search of help.
Temperatures in Death Valley reached 116 degrees that day, park officials said.
After walking about 1.3 miles, Formosa was unable to continue, authorities said. His companion continued toward Badwater Road, where he eventually encountered a passing motorist who offered assistance.
Formosa’s companion reported the incident at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center shortly after 2 p.m., prompting National Park Service rangers and an Inyo County sheriff’s deputy to launch a search-and-rescue operation around 2:13 p.m.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter later joined the search and located Formosa that afternoon approximately 1.5 miles from Badwater Road.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Inyo County coroner will determine the exact cause and manner of death.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
Staying with the vehicle and cycling the A/C periodically would have been the smart thing to do - and when driving through such territory - lots of water needs to be on-hand...
I used to run in 100+ degree temps when stationed at Altus AFB - always carried water and never got more than a quarter mile from shelter/water source - 2 young men who loke to compete, got a few miles from the base and were found dead in a ditch because they overheated and had nothing, to help keep them alive, on hand.
And supposed to be 108 today..... if was 113 degrees the day I got married in Aug 1980... after being over 100 degrees for something like 63 days !!!! Yea, it’s hot here ~!~!!~
I live in central Texas and our temp here has been 109 several days last week, and more of the same expected this week.
What part of ‘DEATH Valley’ did they not understand?...........
Mud? Why would there be mud in a place that is 116 degrees?
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A post up thread from Governor Dinwiddie explains this. From a brave search:
Death Valley has experienced record-breaking rainfall in late 2025, marking a significant departure from its average annual total of less than 2 inches. The park recorded its wettest November on November 15, 2025, with 0.6 inches of rain, which is approximately 25% of the annual average in a single event. This was followed by a wettest fall (September–November) total of 2.41 inches, shattering the previous record of 1.70 inches set in 1923.
Recent storms, including remnants of Tropical Storm Mario and various atmospheric rivers, have caused flash flooding and road closures due to the region’s steep, rocky terrain. While the park is currently seeing unusual wetness, meteorologists note that May and June are typically the driest months, and future rainfall remains unpredictable. These extreme weather events highlight the area’s increasing vulnerability to climate change-driven intensity, despite being North America’s driest place.
Many people now assume cell phones have coverage everywhere and they just need to whip out their phones to be saved. Reality is different. There are FEWER places without coverage now but...yeah, there are still places where you can go 50 miles and have a cell phone that is good for pictures only.
Newer smart phones have emergency SOS via Satellite. It has been around for about 4 years on the iPhone 14 and above.
This happens every year.
Tourists seem to think that if you can drive somewhere then it must be as safe as going to your average park. This is especially true at Death Valley and the Grand Canyon.
Europe has nothing as brutally hot as either of those environments. Ive known plenty of American hikers who got themselves in dangerous situations at both places.
Formosa Surname MeaningItalian and Maltese:
from Italian formoso ‘well-formed shapely beautiful’ (from Latin formosus).Portuguese Galician and Catalan:
habitational name from a place called Formosa from formoso ‘beautiful’.Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022
Similar surnames: Formoso, Cardosa, Carmona, Somoza, Rosa, Fornes, Formby, Barbosa, Forbes, Corona
Wow! I'll bet they were grateful. What a story!
LOL
LOL
They were nice people, made me lunch and gave me a history of the area.
Some of the Local ranches were founded by former confederate soldiers who wanted to get away and live in peace.
Most of California is wilderness or farmland. A very beautiful state that is being ruined by a very corrupt government.
I liken it to a herpes infection. Unless the Federal government can enforce honest elections this place is cooked for good.
Thanks for that. An enormously important truth for those who think "modern" works everywhere.
Decades ago, two CALARNG men got stranded, and the one who tried walking out didn't make it. Same story in many ways.
As the deceased was not from the Western US, I think they underestimate how large and desolate that part of the United States is...when you see a sign that says the next exit is 58 miles down the road, that doesn't mean that you'll find civilization or facilities.
I recall some national parks out that way, where signs are clearly posted: if you go in, be prepared to self-rescue.
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