http://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2...-say/784757001/

Apparently he shot her as she was suffering from head injuries incurred while hiking and then killed himself as he embraced her.

Not exactly Romeo and Juliet, but infinitely sad and tragic. Perhaps the first and most fundamental slip was the decision to hike at all in Joshua Tree in hot summer conditions. I have to ponder how many items would have been of more use than a firearm in their situation - FAK? equivalent weight in water? a good map?

The desert in summer if extremely formidable - not to be taken lightly. Much more pleasant during the cooler months.
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Geezer in Chief