Dyatlov Pass Incident

[TimM]

This is one of the strangest events in the bloody history of the Soviet Union (1918-1991).

On February 2, 1959, nine skiers died under mysterious circumstances in the remote Ural Mountains.  Some of them appear to have fled their camp, wearing scant protection, into the night to freeze to death.  Others were found with unexplained injuries.  Since there were no survivors, there were no witnesses.

The Soviet government wrote it off as "extreme weather".  However, they refused others to enter the area for the next three years. 

There have been many theories about what happened over the years, some of them REALLY out there (such as aliens, the Yeti, wormholes).

However, I think the answer is more human.  It's most like that the Soviets were conducting military experiments and the unfortunate Dyatlov skiers just blundered into it.  That's why, IMHO, the Soviets refused to let anyone enter that area for the next several years.  They needed time to remove all evidence of said experiments.

Apparently, there is a group, based in Ekaterinburg, who are trying to get the present Russian government to reopen the investigation.  Good luck with that.

[TimM]

No one wants to talk about this!?

Too bad, because it sounds interesting.

[Laura Mabee]

I read about this incident a few years ago and also found it quite interesting.

I wouldn't find this easily explainable by weather -- as the campers ripped themselves out of the tent to get away (from what I remember).

Freaky!

[Maria Sisi]

I remember reading about this, it was like a real life Blair Witch Project! The photographs are truly horrifying to look at.

I believe it was a combination of an avalanche, hypothermia and I think radiation that contributed to their deaths and appearance but its still a mystery as to why they rushed out of their tents in the first place, that's the real freaky part.

[TimM]

The Soviets knew more than they were telling. 

It's been over fifty years now, anything classified back then should surely be open to the public now.   Don't the families of those poor people deserve to know what happened to their loved ones?

[Laura Mabee]

This thread has dug up my previous interest in the incident and I did some internet digging tonight. Apparently there is a documentary filmmaker who made it his journey to go to Russia and 'get to the bottom' of the story. He published a book called Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident. It seems to be a honest review of the case (including speaking to the one hiker who bailed before the incident), rather than some of those conspiracy theories (The Russian Yeti -- as suggested by Discovery Channel).  I found a good excerpt of the book, if you're interested, check it out: https://www.sendspace.com/file/mgburh

[TimM]

I never thought the Russian Yeti did it.  By most accounts, it runs away from humans, not attacks them.   Besides, even if this one was aggressive, could it alone kill nine people?

And I don't think aliens did it either

[Laura Mabee]

Haha, to clarify, I don't believe in the yeti/aliens/supernatural explanations either. That's why I'm posted about this book. Apparently it looks at the incident and explains what most likely happened (which do not include any conspiracy/supernatural theories). The author talked with people who were at the crime scene, as well as that one hiker who got sick and left before the untimely death of his friends. It looks to be an interesting read.

If you're interested, this is a little trailer of the book: http://youtu.be/FCOTZTdUEAw

[TimM]

I'll have to keep my eyes open for that book.

[TimM]

A Science Fiction movie has been made about this.  It's a "found footage" movie (like the Blair Witch Project). 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1IaCjzvRzI

[amelia]

I just finished reading a book on this subject - Dead Mountain, by Donnie Aicher. He explains exactly what happened. There is not really a mystery. It was the bad weather, strong winds, deep snow, etc. During the night,the winds  became so  strong and noisy that the hikers thought that somebody was attacking them, they cut the tent with knives and come out, in a hurry,  in their sleeping wear in very low temperatures and that was the reason of their deaths. I recommend this book, I have read many others and even one explained that they have been killed by the "Snow mountain man".


Amelia
(Eva McDonald)

[TimM]

It's as good an explanation as any.

However, the question remains why the Russian government banned people from entering that area for several years afterword.  Gives the impression they were hiding something.

[amelia]

Yes it does. Who knows why? This book is the most acceptable in my opinion. I was always very interested in this case.

Amelia
(Eva McDonald)

[TimM]

I'll have to track this book down.

[Laura Mabee]

FYI folks, I linked to the book in a previous comment.