Hiker found dead in Death Valley National Park

A hiker from Washington state has been found dead in Death Valley National Park, where temperatures can be among the hottest on Earth, authorities said Thursday. Douglas Branham, 68, of Tukwila, had planned a 12-mile round trip through the salt flats of the California park but missed a flight home on Tuesday.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew discovered his body Wednesday about 2 miles from the closest road, according to a joint statement from the park and the Inyo County Sheriff's Office.   "Helicopter rotors struggle to create enough lift in hot air, and temperatures were about 115 degrees Fahrenheit at the time," the statement said.