THE DYATLOV PASS INCIDENT by Keith McCloskey In February 1959 nine young skiers died in strange circumstances in the northern Urals Mountains in Russia. The leader of the Group was Igor Dyatlov who had only just turned 23. He was an affable and highly experienced skier, hiker and orienteer. There were two strong willed girls in the Group: Lyudmila Dubinina and Zinaida Kolmogorova. There were also another seven males: Yury Yudin, Rustem Slobodin, Semyon Zolotarev a tough World War Two veteran and expert in unarmed combat, Alexander Kolevatov, George Krivonischenko, Yury Doroshenko and Nicolai Thibeaux-Brignolle who was born in one of Stalin's GULAGs where his French Communist father had been imprisoned and executed. The whole Group were all very fit, experienced hikers and skiers and only the previous year, Igor Dyatlov had led a party on the same route, so they were confident that there would be no problems encountered that they could not deal with. They left Sverdlovsk and travelled north by train, lorry and then finally by foot and skis. They reached an abandoned village of wooden houses previously used by geologists (on 27 January). They spent the night there and it was here on the following day (28 January) that the tenth member of the Group, Yury Yudin decided to turn back as he felt he could not carry on because of illness. Their target was to reach the 1,234 metre Mount Otorten (translated as Don't go there in the local Mansi language) but they ended up on the slopes of the 1,079 metre Mountain named Kholat Syakhl (translated as Mountain of the Dead in the local Mansi language). Up to 28 January 1959, everything can be independently verified about the Group's journey. Beyond that date and despite the presence of a Group diary and photographs, nothing can be verified. When search parties found their tent, they saw that the side of the tent had been slashed and footsteps led away from it in deep snow. The first bodies were found to have died of hypothermia. The remaining bodies were found weeks later and were found to have no external marks, but internal injuries resembling those inflicted by a car crash. One of the two females in the group was found to have her tongue missing. There appeared to be no rational explanation for the circumstances of their deaths. The official summing up of the case described the deaths as being caused by an unknown compelling force. Since the official files were made available for viewing, the mystery has only deepened as there appears to be no theory or explanation which satisfactorily describes what happened to the group. My book, Mountain of the Dead: The Dyatlov Pass Incident is based on original research in Russia and using the Dyatlov group diaries, photos and interviews with surviving people connected with the group and the sole survivor from the group, Yury Yudin who turned around because of illness. Yury Yudin passed away on 27 April 2013 Keith McCloskey The Dyatlov Pass Mystery: NOT A Cold Case Book There have been a number of new books on the Dyatlov Incident recently. I wanted to mention in particular "The Dyatlov Pass Mystery: NOT A Cold Case" by Henning Kuersten. It came out a short while ago, but Henning has been carrying out further research and has just republished the book with 60% more material and has widened the scope of his research. He has also kindly asked me to write the introductory chapter. I was most impressed by the depth of research that he has put into it and surprisingly, as an experienced climber himself, he has not gone for the "it is obviously an avalanche" route as I find many climbers do. I won’t give any other spoilers, but I highly recommend this book to all Dyatlov aficionados. The Dyatlov Pass Mystery: NOT A Cold Case Book on Amazon Mud If anyone should think (as I did) that a trip up to the Dyatlov Pass in the summer would be a 'doddle' then these pictures will give a good idea of what the mud is like. It can take literally hours to go just a few kilometres in these conditions. Provided you have a reasonable degree of fitness, it is probably better to make your way through the Taiga on foot. (Photos courtesy of Natasha and Danil) Videos These three youtube videos were made by the group that took me off the Dyatlov Pass after my injury on my visit in August 2015 and have kindly given me permission to use them. I wanted to include them because it shows the Dyatlov Pass by the memorial stone but more importantly shows the kind of terrain in the nearby forests which is very difficult even for all terrain vehicles. One of their videos also shows the disused Soviet-era military installation on top of Mount Chistop, only 30 kilometres or so (20 miles approx.) south of the Dyatlov group's route. Video of Dyatlov Pass in Winter 1) Standing on the tent location scanning from the ridge down to the tree line. 2) Scanning the ridge from left to right. 3) Scanning the ridge down to the tree line. 4) Scanning from the stone belt ridge (location of the Dytalov memorial stone) over to Dead Mountain and the location of the tent. Keith McCloskey Responds to Feedback Since the publication of "Mountain of the Dead" I have had a considerable amount of feedback. I wanted to elaborate firstly on the purpose of the book, which is I wanted to get the story out because it was then, the first published book outside Russia on the Dyatlov story. Others are now appearing with each taking a different view of the events. Keith McCloskey at the Dyatlov Pass, August 2015. Kholat Syakhl (Dead Mountain) in the background I have received some criticism that I have rejected nearly all the theories only to give more credence to Yury Yakimov's theory. This is missing the point I was trying to make. As I state quite clearly close towards the end of the book that I personally lean towards a Soviet military accident although I cannot prove it and even that theory is not foolproof and there are some factors which negate it - two in particular being Luda Dubinina's missing tongue and the deaths of some of the group through hypothermia rather than what could appear to be death by a blast in the case of other members of the group. I wanted to include Yury Yakimov's theory purely as it is a first-hand account of a phenomenon which was experienced by someone who lived and worked in the area. The point is that it is important to try and keep as open a mind as possible because I believe that if the answer is ever to fully come out into the open, it may well turn out to be more than one explanation. As with other commentators on this, I have found the view of the authorities to be less than candid. I wanted to go into more detail regarding the apparent discrepancies in the official findings but I felt this would have leaned too much towards tearing all the other theories apart and I wanted to leave some room for the reader to make their own minds up despite the reservations I made about some of them. Lev Ivanov went to his grave convinced that there was a UFO involvement in the case. It could be expected though that someone with a pension and accommodation provided by the state would not be expected to rock the boat too much. Against this is the interview given by a man who worked for him named Vladimir Korotayev. Korotayev was an investigator who worked on the case and found a number of discrepancies which he brought to the attention of his superiors. He was also sceptical, bordering on contemptuous, of the abilities of his superiors involved in the case. Their response was to tell him to get on with his work and not to get big ideas about himself. It could be said that there is something sinister in this or a cover up but there is also a Russian saying - "Better fifty stupid lieutenants rather than one brilliant one". Sadly Vladimir Korotayev has now passed away, as indeed has poor Yury Yudin, the only survivor of the group that set out on 23 January 1959. Many of the people who were involved in this case in 1959 and are still alive now, will not be with us for much longer and it becomes much harder to find out what really happened. Whether or not you believe that something is being withheld by the authorities (Conspiracy or Non-Conspiracy) the nature of the old Soviet Union still has a strong grip on the place and openness doesn't come easily to those in positions of authority. As I have said before, keeping an open mind is important and if anyone wishes to discuss any theory or any aspects of the many theories, please feel free to contact me. FEEDBACK ON JOURNEY TO DYATLOV PASS So far I have received some quite incisive feedback as follows: Ryan Preston makes the point that we have all of the evidence that we need, it is just a case of applying a plausible theory all the pieces fit. He believes it is possible the Soviet military knew that the Mansi knew when to not be near the area and they probably assumed that the hikers went with them - he feels that perhaps they took a look at the tent and saw that the marks were made by people in a great hurry. It would also be explained by the alien cloth that Yuri Yudin couldn't identify with any member of the group; he was the best person to attest to their equipment. Ryan states the following - QUOTE I think we positively surmise - with a lot of credibility - that the Dyatlov Group just happened to stumble in a testing area (newly designated) unwittingly. The thing is, I checked shots of the dash between the tent and the tree line - it was some trek, I tell you! It must have been a missile or a bomb as only they could cause the damage that happened and reach people that would normally be outside of harm's way, otherwise. I think the group did everything correctly - no arguments, no fighting, no time-wasting - they all did what they could and sadly they were overwhelmed by a force they couldn't overcome. I don't believe in the infrasound theory or UFO theories. In fact, it makes sense why some were undressed because of the radiation (could have been nuclear, or uranium) and they had to divest their clothes, I think AFTER Kolmogorova, Dyatlov and Slobodin went to the tent to get more. Tibo-Brignolles was already dead, carried by the others. Krivonischenko and Kolevatov probably got separated from the group by an oncoming blast and they happened to be away from the tent - maybe reconnoitering or investigating the lights - hence why they were already dressed, so they tried to keep warm but they succumbed to the cold and probably couldn't call their friends, so they died next. The three heading to the tent probably got surprised by some kind of impact - Dyatlov's hand positions indicate that he tried to protect himself. After the three had succumbed to wounds and an expedited case of hypothermia, Dubinina, Doroschenko, and Zolatryov. Then, for those three... they suffered the impact of a bomb of splash damage and their injuries would logically be in tune with being knocked over a ravine, and onto a rock. As for the tongue and eyes, Dubinina and Zolataryov were submerged in water and the latter partially, so again... it's not just foot-rot that can happened when in a trench or in this case, a river of water. I think Doroschenko succumbed to hypothermia, Dubinina died of her wounds and the impact, as did Zolataryov. So... I think the order of deaths were: Tibo-Brignolles, Krivonischencko & Kolevatov, Dyatlov, Slobodin, Kolmogorova, then Doroschenko, Dubinina, and finally Zolataryov. UNQUOTE Tent Entrance - Ronald Cyr has made a number of observations before, but in my new book, he takes issue with the entrance to the tent and what I have stated along with my take on Valentin Yakimenko’s views on the taking of the photos in the night sky by members of the group and whether they would have been going in and out of the entrance. This is very important because the tent entrance was closed up when it was found by the searchers. Ron makes a valid assertion that the issue of the entrance to the tent has been largely ignored. He has stated that if the group were settling down for the night, going out to answer the call of nature etc and the lights in the sky appeared, then it is quite likely that virtually the whole group went outside to look at them. Under the circumstances it is more than likely the entrance would have been left open and unbuttoned. It is estimated that the photos taken of the lights in the sky, especially those taken by Zolotarev would have taken anything up to 2.5 minutes. The real question is:- Would the members of the group returning to the tent in dribs and drabs have left the tent entrance open for everyone to return inside before closing it up? Considering it was tough fabric with several buttons, the entrance could take 30 to 40 seconds to close up properly. So the question is - what happened at the end? Where there any people outside when whatever the event arrived to make them flee? If there were just a couple outside - would the tent entrance not have been open if this was the case? It is a very good point well worth considering. Ron also made another point about this - What if whatever was happening was happening at the entrance to the tent, so they could not use it and had to slash their way out of the side? Steven Hall of Aberdeen made the following observations: QUOTE Wouldn't there have been Mansi hunters in that area? I always have a feeling they observed some of the goings on. They had to keep quiet though. Why were they testing at an area where there were people around, local Mansi and walking groups? What was to be gained by tests at night? Why is there no notes in anyone's diaries that day. That is a big question for me. If they had deviated from the route, I would have expected that to be recorded, at least. Why was Semyon (Zolotarev) holding a notepad and pencil, was any sign that he managed to write anything , was any pages removed from the notepad? It would be very odd if he had managed to manipulate the notepad and pencil, with cold fingers, yet not manage to scribble at least one word ! Military tests - It's definitely a plausible explanation, but to me it just doesn't seem right. I think after all this time someone would have leaked their story, or part of it. The chance of them all being a direct hit must have been pretty remote. Their inconsistent injuries don't make sense - at least someone would have survived, at least to write a note of what had happened. (of course any notes may have been confiscated). A big question for me, if it were military tests, is why no-one reported any noises from the explosions ? The other hiking group who saw lights on the same day as the tragedy. But I haven't read of anyone reporting explosions, loud noises. ! Isn't that odd ? I haven't been able to discover what was the planned route. compared to where they were. It could have been a whiteout, which made location difficult. Or they maybe decided to get higher to observe the light phenomena. Did their cameras have flashes? If they did- could that have attracted the orbs to them. A question is why 'walk' down the slope when they had skis? They would be at the trees in a few minutes with skis on (unless they were already stolen along with boots outer clothes) it is almost impossible to actually 'run' down a hill in deep snow i think. you sink right in and end up just 'striding' really. I think there are so many uncertainties of the actual facts. There is no way they could have walked down the hill without clothes / gloves and still had the ability to use their hands by the time they reached the trees. Their feet would have been totally numb after a few steps in the freezing conditions. I start by assuming Gennardy Patrushev is being truthful , why would he say he saw tent & 2 bodies by it, if a lie. He would have flown in for a close look , so I really don't understand why it was said they saw tent from a distance, doesn't make sense not to fly in closer. They were people he knew, he seems genuine, didn't he also say he would be in trouble for what he reported. Not to mention the missing communications for that day. So if there were bodies there it means there was manipulation. Did someone move the others down lower to the valley, but then when they saw plane, had to leave the tent where it was, because they assumed the pilot would had spotted it's position. There would be questions if the tent was then moved. They also assumed that the pilot had not seen the bodies beside the tent so they could still move them. It makes sense that what happened to them was right beside the tent, the badly wounded could quite obviously never have moved anywhere with their injuries. On the other hand, it would have made more sense that they actually pitched the tent by the trees. The incident happened there, so the badly injured are in their proper positions. The authorities then later moved the tent up to the location where it was found. They were in the process of moving the group up also, when the pilot flew over and saw the tent. They decided they could no longer move everyone up there - because the pilot would be able to point out the group weren’t there when he flew over. So their plan was somewhat foiled - they had no option but to leave the tent where it had been moved to & leave the bodies where they were, but moved others out to look as if they were trying to reach the tent. Best scenario: - The fact that they closed access for a few years is revealing. Why,- because of radiation. The incident happened elsewhere - somewhere on their proper route. That area had high radiation, due to military weapon / UFO. So they moved the bodies somewhere away from the actual event to confuse things, as well as to protect any search people from high radiation? The pilot observed the tent with bodies, while the soldiers were relocating the group to the radiation free area. Because of the radiation left on bodies/clothes of group, Lev Ivanov was informed to carry a radiation detector. The fact there is a (damaged) pole at the tent also could be a mistake by the soldiers, or whoever was moving things around. Alternatively it could have been intentionally left by a soldier who was disgusted at what they were doing & who wished to leave a clue as to the lack of authenticity of the scene. If it hadn't been for Yuri Yakimov revealing the light set events, I would have went with military. But that's too much of a coincidence to happen in this area also. It could be the Mansi reference to mountain has more meaning than we think, going back ages, it could be a sort of 'dimensional' gateway or at least an area where there is more than usual UFO activity. There seem to be certain areas where they are more prevalent. UNQUOTE I thought about the noise made by explosions but the students who reported the lights on the Chistop Massif were 30 miles away and the wind was blowing away from them carrying the sound. The Mansi settlement at Ushma is closer but still several miles and again the wind is an issue. I also gain the impression that the Mansi were willing to help out but didn’t want to get drawn into any contentious issues. Especially as nine people were dead and the authorities may have been looking to point the finger at someone. QUOTE A reader from Germany sent me this picture taken on his holiday on a beach in Cambodia listening to Khmer music and having a Khmer beer. UNQUOTE Medium View I was contacted by a medium in California who very kindly went to the trouble of carrying out a session using the pictures from the book and the map of the route. Her report (11 pages long including the map and pages she used) is here: Medium View on Dyatlov Pass Incident Theories QUOTE: SEROV DRUNK Mick Taylor of Plymouth contacted me to put forward his theory of what may have happened to the group after reading "Mountain of the Dead" Possible explanation for being 9 miles off course - As you know, the searchers found the abandoned tent at Kholat Syakhl 9 miles south of the … truncated (28,719 more characters in archive)
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