The Ural Mountains Mystery

The Dyatlov Pass incident remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of the twentieth century. Nine experienced hikers died in the Ural Mountains in February 1959 under circumstances that have never been satisfactorily explained.

The Expedition

Igor Dyatlov led a group of students and graduates from Ural Polytechnic Institute on a challenging but routine ski expedition. They were experienced outdoorsmen, well-equipped for the conditions. On February 1, 1959, they set up camp on the slopes of a mountain called Kholat Syakhl.

The Discovery

When the group failed to arrive at their destination, search parties were organized. On February 26, they found the tent, collapsed and covered with snow. It had been cut open from inside. Footprints led away into the frozen wilderness.

The First Bodies

The first two bodies were found a mile from the tent, beneath a cedar tree, in their underwear. They had died of hypothermia. Three more bodies were found between the tree and the tent, apparently trying to return. They had also frozen to death.

The Ravine

Two months later, four more bodies were found in a ravine. These showed severe trauma. One had a fractured skull. Two had massive chest damage without external wounds. One woman was missing her tongue, eyes, and lips.

The Verdict

Soviet investigators concluded the group died from a “compelling natural force” but never specified what. The case was closed and classified. Theories range from avalanche to secret weapons testing to Yeti attack to infrasound-induced panic.

Assessment

Whatever drove nine people to cut their way out of their tent and flee into minus-thirty-degree temperatures wearing minimal clothing was powerful enough to make freezing to death seem preferable to remaining. That terror remains unexplained.