It has been sixty years since the famous incident known now as the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Since then it has remained a strange and disturbing mystery that has captured the worlds attention. It would not be until recently that the answer to this enigma would finally be put to end. *WARNING* if you are easily disturbed it is best to avoid reading this.
This mystery begins in late January of 1959 when 9 students of the Ural Polytechnical Institute along with an ex-military leader Igor Dyatlov set out to hike in the Siberian Mountains. Each of these hikers were experienced and had an official grading of II. Upon returning each of them would receive a grade of III the highest grading one could achieve at the time.
One of the ten members, Yuri Yudin would have to turn back due to illness not knowing that his illness would ironically save his life. On February 1st the remaining hikers would have reached Height 1079 and due to the loss of daylight decided to set up camp.
Later long after their due return on the 23rd of February search parties found the abandoned campsite of the hikers 800 metres up. The tents appeared to be badly damaged with large slit in the side of the canvas and only covered by a light snowfall. The belonging all appeared to be inside the tents along with the heavy winter gear. The next day the search party would discover eight sets of footprints possibly nine leading away from the campsite to the edge of the woods about 1 km down. Most of the tracks were made as if they were only wearing socks and bare footed. At the edge of the tree line small remnants of a fire would be found along with broken branches up to 5 metres up the tree-line.
On the 27th one of the hiker’s bodies would be found just be the cedar tree near the fire with minor cuts and bruises, along with burns. The cause of death, hypothermia. Another hiker would be found close to the previous one with similar injuries, with death a by hypothermia. Dyatlov’s body would be found 300 metres up the slope leading to the tents. He was found face up covered with snow hands clasped. Similar injuries as the previous bodies. He also died from Hypothermia. One more body would be found on the 27th 600 metres away from the fire leading to the tents. Similar injuries as the previous. Also, death by hypothermia. The next body would by found 480 metres from the fire pit with similar injuries, with a death by hypothermia. Further into the woods behind the cedar tree about 75 metres a six-metre-deep ravine was found with the rest of the remaining hikers but covered deep in snow. Only one of these hikers died from hypothermia. This hiker was found with a broken neck, broken nose etc. The three other hikers found in the ravine were found to have died from crushing blows to the chest and head. These blows were not attributed to blunt force trauma. These injuries would only be seen in car accidents of explosions. Inflicted at great speed and cause high pressure.
It was found that the tents had been cut from the inside and the footprints indicated panic. The question of this incident was never about how they died, it was always why they left their tents in such a panic with little clothing and gear into the harsh cold environment.
To be continued…