LA hiker followed shade during 6 days in desert
By JACOB ADELMAN, Associated Press
Oct 5, 2010 1:16 PM CDT
This image provided by the Rosenthal family via Joshua Tree National Park shows Edward Rosenthal, who survived six days without food or water in the desolate Joshua Tree National Park by staying still and writing messages to his family on his hat, telling them what kind of funeral he wanted, who they...   (Associated Press)

A man stranded for six days in the barren Joshua Tree desert in Southern California said he survived by staying still nearly all the time and moving only to follow the shade.

Edward Rosenthal said Tuesday he was so weak when a helicopter rescue crew found him on Sept. 30 that he couldn't even sit up.

The 64-year-old Rosenthal says he used a walking stick to lift himself up and out of the sun a few times each day.

His ordeal started Sept. 24 when he went for a day hike but became disoriented after making a wrong turn while returning to his car.

He wrote on his hat what he thought would be his last messages of love to his wife and daughter and to note plans for his funeral.