All I get from this episode is "death wish". I don't know what was in his mind or what he was looking for, but it seems he wanted to get close to death. The desert doesn't care.
Oh come on. We don't talk that way about mountain climbers or sky divers. Are they not risking their lives? So why talk that way about someone who wants a wilderness adventure?
Human beings evolved in the wilderness. But we have since become pussified. We're afraid to do anything anymore. I take my hat off to Evan Tanner. It's unfortunate that he died, but I respect the man for going for it.