Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009 | 12:07 p.m.
A Bullhead City, Ariz., man died of exposure in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area last week after his SUV got stuck in a wash, park rangers said today.
The body of Steven Corso, 43, was found by a park visitor Aug. 5 on a little-used dirt road about one-half mile from where his GMC Yukon was mired in sand, National Park Service spokesman Andrew Munoz said. He apparently had hiked to Portland Mine Road, near its intersection with Jeep Cove Road.
He was found by visitors headed to Jeep Cove, Munoz said.
Investigators found no food or water nearby, but there was evidence that Corso had tried to chew into a barrel cactus to get some moisture, Munoz said. He appeared to be traveling alone.
“We don’t know how long he was out there or why he was out there,” Munoz said.
The road is about 15 miles north of Bullhead City and at least 35 miles from U.S. 93, he said.
“During this time of year, that road doesn’t see a lot of traffic other than people going down to the shoreline,” Munoz said. “If he hadn’t made it to the road, we probably would not have found him for a long while.”
The death underscores the need for care when traveling in the desert, Munoz said.
“You don’t want to head out when we are experiencing high temperatures,” he said. “If you are heading out, have plenty of water, at least a gallon per person for each day you’re going to be out. And you need to constantly be drinking water, at least once an hour, whether you are thirsty or not.”
In addition, he said, desert travelers need to let someone know where they’re going and when to expect them back, so if they don’t return, help can be called.
“When people venture out into the desert, they have to remember it can be dangerous unless you’re prepared,” he said.
Jean Reid Norman can be reached at 948-2073 or [email protected].
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