An Arizona tourist died but his wife was rescued after their vehicle got two flat tires and they went missing for almost a week in Death Valley National Park. Located in the Mojave Desert in eastern California, the park is one of the hottest and driest places in the world and was experiencing highs in the 30s (Celsius) at the time.

A statement from the local the Inyo Creek Sheriff’s Office said that Alexander Lofgren, 32, and Emily Henkel, 27, were found on a steep ledge near Willow Creek in the desert park on Friday, but Lofgren was dead. Henkel was flown to Lemoore Naval Air Station for treatment, and there was no immediate word on her condition.

The Tucson residents, described as experienced campers, failed to return on Easter Sunday from a camping trip and were reported missing the following Tuesday.

Authorities searched hotels and major tourist attractions along a highway and checked Lofgren’s back-country itinerary.

On Wednesday, park staff found the couple’s missing Subaru with a note in the car that stated: “Two flat tires, headed to Mormon Point, have three days’ worth of water.”

That proved to be “a crucial tip in directing search efforts,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

On Thursday, the couple was spotted from the air, but crews couldn’t hoist them up and weren’t able to reach them in the remote area until shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday, authorities said.

The cause of Lofgren’s death is under investigation.

“This has been a tremendously difficult operation in a very unforgiving geographic area of Inyo County,” said Sheriff Jeff Hollowell.

The rugged park has claimed several lives over the years. In January, an experienced climber who was descending a canyon plunged to his death when he was caught in a rockslide.