THE DYATLOV PASS INCIDENT: THE STRANGE DEATHS OF NINE HIKERS IN RUSSIA
In late January of 1959, seven men and two women, all students or graduates from the Ural Polytechnic Institute, and a sports instructor set out on a hike through Russia’s Ural Mountains. Igor Dyatlov, a student, led the expedition. They were all experienced ski hikers. Their goal was to reach Mount Otorten. They had arranged to send a telegram to their sports club when they reached the settlement of Vizhai by February 12th. Concern set in when they were not heard from by February 20th.
THE HIKER’S TENT WAS LOCATED RIPPED OPEN FROM THE INSIDE
The hiker’s tent was located on the slopes of Kholat Syakhl (“Mountain of the Dead”). The tent was found collapsed, ripped open from the inside and covered with snow. All of their belongings remained behind undisturbed. A meal had been prepared but was uneaten. Barefoot or socked footprints were found leading a mile down the hill to a forest.
FIVE BODIES WERE FOUND UNDER STRANGE CONDITIONS
The bodies of two of the hikers were discovered first, located under a large tree next to the remains of an open fire, wearing only their underwear. One of them had a piece of his hand in his mouth and thermal burns over his body. Dyatlov and two of the other hikers were found between the tree and the tent, having tried to crawl back to their camp. One of them seemed to have bitten off part of his knuckle. All of these hikers died from hypothermia.
MONTHS LATER THE REST OF THE EXPEDITION WERE FOUND
It was not until months later, when some of the snow had melted that an indigenous Mansi hunter found the rest of the bodies in a snow den carved out of packed snow. Under over thirteen feet of snow, in a ravine, they were found. Although they had no external injuries, they had endured horrific internal injuries including skull damage so brutal pieces of bone were found in the brain, a twisted neck, crushed chests and broken ribs. Two hikers were missing their eyes and one of them was missing their tongue.
Two hikers had traces of radiation in their clothing. This was explained by a nuclear accident that occurred in 1957. One of the hikers resided in the contaminated area. While another had assisted in clean-up efforts.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?
There have been various theories as to what happened to the hikers. Many believed that Russia was testing a secret weapon. Others suspected it was a UFO or Yeti. The government insisted it was a natural disaster. In the end it remained a mystery.
THE SLAB AVALANCHE THEORY
In 2019, a new investigation suggested the “Slab Avalanche Theory”. This contends that a slab of snow might have fallen on the tent, leading the hikers to believe an avalanche was looming. This would have caused them to cut their way out of the tent and flee without shoes or clothing. It further proposes that they quickly ran to safety, started a fire and died from the cold. Others dug a snow den which might have collapsed on them, causing their deaths. Missing body parts could have been the result of animals rummaging for food.
In 2021, researchers using a mathematical model determined that the “Slab Avalanche Theory” was possible. They based this upon weather conditions and the position of the tent.
IN THE END
Do you buy that the “Slab Avalanche Theory” explains what happened to the hikers? In their memory, an area mountain pass was named the “Dyatlov Pass”.
