[monkeyshine]

Well to each his/her own. Salt flats seem good for extreme motorcycle speeds. I agree, no appeal to me to hike across a flat desert of salt.

[Pontiac]

His cause of death is under investigation, but the sheriff’s office says Branham likely started his hike on Sunday or Monday when temperatures were 118 degrees and humidity was 91%.

Do it because it’s there? Okay but do it smart. Know what the weather is supposed to be. Be prepared with water and your own shade. Let people know you are going and what time you should return. Is there cell phone service there?

If I was going to do it, I would start in the early morning, maybe before dawn. A twelve-mile hike at 3 mph is four hours. That gets you back before noon. It could easily still be over 100 degrees F by the time you finish.

Would I do it? No. Do I understand wanting to do it? Yes. But still, do it smart.

It is not a nice phone call to get that your dad died in Death Valley while out for a wee stretch O de legs.