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Intro

This unique cross-platform project allows the investigation of one of the great
enigmas of our time – the mysterious death of the Dyatlov Group in
the North Ural mountains 60 years ago.

Nine experienced hikers were found dead in strange circumstances.
A Ruptly team retraced their path, filming the entire journey and referring
along the way, to the diary they kept until the last day. The Dyatlov Group’s journal
comes to an abrupt end on February 1st, 1959.

You will find pictures taken by the hikers shortly before their deaths, documents
from the official investigation, interviews with investigators, locals and leading experts,
an aerial view of the North Urals, and a chance to examine the scene of the tragedy down to
the smallest detail. The materials we are providing for the project will help you
solve the Dyatlov Pass mystery.

We share the facts. You are the one to investigate what actually happened that night,
1079 metres up the side of a mountain.

Turn sound on
for a truly immersive experience

 

 

Ru En Es
Days:
Ru En Es
Day 1 Day 1
-19 C0
23.01

Okay, back to the hike!
Now we are sitting in room 531, or rather, we are not sitting,
but everyone is frantically stuffing all sorts of oatmeal,
cans and stewed meat into their backpacks, while the person
in charge stands and makes sure that everything is packed.

Lyuda is counting money, large sums of money.
There is a sort of organised chaos in the room.

I wonder what this hike  I wonder what this hike 

has in store for us? has in store for us?

Here we are on the train.
We sang a lot of songs and learned a lot of new ones.

We only went to bed at about 3am. I wonder what
this hike has in store for us?

The guys solemnly swore that they would not smoke for
the entire trip. I wonder how strong their willpower is,
can they make it without their filterless cigarettes?

Dyatlov`s diary, from 1959

Everybody goes to bed,
the Ural taiga flies past the windows.

Days:
Ru En Es
Day 2 Day 2
-19 C0
24.01

We arrived at Serov. We drove with Blinov's group.
They have Olva for hunting and other things.

We were met “very hospitably" at the station: we were not allowed
into the room and the policeman was watching us closely.

Everything is calm in the city, Everything is calm in the city,

no crime or trouble, no crime or trouble,

as usual under communism. as usual under communism.
Everything is calm in the city, Everything is calm in the city,

no crime or trouble, no crime or trouble,

as usual under communism. as usual under communism.

Everything is calm in the city, no crime or trouble, as in Communist
times. Krivonishchenko sang a song, then in a second he was
grabbed and taken away. For the record, the sergeant explained
that according to internal regulations, in stations it is forbidden
to disturb the peace of the passengers.

This is probably the 1st station, where songs
are forbidden and where we sat without singing.

We're finally settling down at the school next to the train station
until tonight. We were very warmly welcomed. The person
responsible for us (who also happened to be a cleaning lady)
warmed up water for us and provided us with everything
we could need to prepare for the trip.

We have the whole day free. I would like to go to the town, for
example, to the museum of local history and on an excursion
to the metal factory, but there is still a lot of work to do
with the distribution and preparation of equipment.

It took us 2 hours, It took us 2 hours,

the guys didn't want the guys didn't want

to let us go. to let us go.
From Zina`s diary, January 24, 1959

During the break between the 1st and 2nd shifts, we organized
a meeting with some students. There were so many of them,
so many and all so curious, asking endless questions. We had
to show and explain every little thing from our lanterns to how
to pitch a tent. It took us 2 hours, the guys didn't want to let us go.

We sang songs to each other. The whole school walked us to the
station. When we left, the kids cried and shouted, asking Zina
to stay with them and be their scoutmaster, they would
all listen to her, they were quick learners.

In the carriage, some other young alcoholic demanded half a
litre from us and claimed we had taken it out of his pocket.
For the second time that day, the story ended with a
police intervention.

Z. Kolmogorova provoked a debate about love. Songs, revision, Dubinina under
the seat, garlic and bread without water, and that’s how we arrived
in Ivdel. A large waiting room. We were free to do anything.
We took it in turns to keep watch.
The bus to Vizhai leaves early in the morning.
Days:
Ru En Es
Day 3 Day 3
-19 C0
25.01

We managed to catch the bus (GAZ-51 type).
The twenty-five-seat bus had to fit twenty-five full seats
and twenty backpacks stuffed to the brim and the same
number of skis. Everything was packed to the ceiling.
In the first layer, people sat on the seats,
on a pile of skis, on backpacks.

Passengers in the second layer sat on the backs of the seats,
finding legroom on the shoulders of their comrades.
It wasn't too tight to sing though, so we did
all the way to Vizhai.

We were forced to rush after it, We were forced to rush after it,

cherishing the hope that, perhaps, cherishing the hope that, perhaps,

we would reach it we would reach it
We were forced We were forced

to rush after it, to rush after it,

cherishing the hope that, cherishing the hope that,

perhaps, we would reach it perhaps, we would reach it

Nothing ever goes according to plan! The bus made a small detour
away from the highway, to the village of Shipichnoye, so we
were asked if we wanted to stretch our legs, which we did
with pleasure. The four fastest ones went far ahead and
went to see the power plant in the village of Talitsa.

Suddenly someone screamed: "Bus!" We threw ourselves
at the door, but unfortunately, it was too late. The bus
passed by and we were forced to rush after it,
cherishing the hope that, perhaps, we would
reach it (we were the four "quickest").

However, the first hundred meters clearly showed
the advantages of a 50 hp engine. We were far
behind the bus, and the gap was widening.
The prospect of walking thirty miles on the highway
without breakfast and lunch was already quite real,
when suddenly...

By some miracle, a girl, driven by the desire
to go to Vizhai, managed to stop our target.
We were back on our way to Vizhai.

We arrived at Vizhai around 2:00 in the afternoon.
It turned out we could only continue our journey
in the morning.

From Zina`s diary, January 25, 1959
The "hotel" which is just The "hotel" which is just

an ordinary hut with three windows. an ordinary hut with three windows.
The "hotel" which is just The "hotel" which is just

an ordinary hut an ordinary hut

with three windows. with three windows.

We said a fond farewell to Blinov’s group who moved
further (to the west of Vizhai into the woods).
After lunch, which took place in a warm "friendly
atmosphere", we moved to the "hotel" which is
just an ordinary hut with three windows.

We went to see a film, leaving Doroshenko and Kolevatov at home.
We watched "Golden Symphony" and returned in a
"musical mood". Now we are busy preparing the
equipment.

A poster for the film "Symphonie in Gold"
1956. Austria. Directed by Franz Antel
Poster writer: B. Kondratyev

Tonight, according to the local commandant,
we will continue our trip.

Days:
Ru En Es
Day 4 Day 4
-17 C0
26.01

We slept in a so-called hotel. Some shared one
while Sasha K. and Yura Krivo even slept on the floor
between the bunks. We got up at 9 a.m. We slept
well, despite the fact that in the evening we did not
close the door properly and by morning it had cooled
down a little. It’s -17°С outside.

If the tea is cold, If the tea is cold,

go and drink it outside go and drink it outside

and it will be hotter. and it will be hotter.
If the tea is cold, If the tea is cold,

go and drink it outside go and drink it outside

and it will be hotter. and it will be hotter.

We didn't cook in the morning, the firewood was damp, it took us
6 hours to cook in the evening. We went to the dining room
for breakfast
In the end we ate canteen goulash and drank tea.

When they served cold tea, Gosya Dyatlov said jokingly: "If the
tea is cold, go and drink it outside and it will be hotter.”
What an original thought. We agreed to drive up
to the precinct 41 by car.

We left only at 13:10 and reached precinct 41 at about 16:30.
We were very cold, we were riding on the back of a GAZ-63.

While driving, we were singing songs, discussing various
topics from love and friendship to cancer problems
and how to cure them.

At 41, we were greeted pretty nicely, we were taken to a
separate room in the dormitory. We talked to local workers
for a long time, especially one of them I remember -
a red-bearded guy called "Beard", as he was
known by his comrades.

From Zina`s diary, January 26, 1959

We made our usual lunch, we ate and are now having a rest, we split into
two groups - some went to the next room to watch a film, the other
is sitting on their backpacks, all busy with their own business.

Rustik plays the mandolin and at the same
time talks to Kolya, the girls are sitting
and rewriting songs, and I will now
adjust the equipment.

Days:
Ru En Es
Day 5 Day 5
-17 C0
27.01

The weather was good, the wind was supposed to be on our backs.
The guys agreed that a horse would take them to the
2nd North. It's 24 km from the precinct 41 there. We helped an
old man Slava to unload hay and began to wait for the horse
(it left for hay and firewood). We waited till 4 o'clock.

The guys are writing songs. One guy sang beautifully.
They heard a number of banned prison songs (article
58). Ognev told Igor how to find a hut to sleep in.
At 4 o'clock they moved out.

Yura Yudin suddenly fell ill Yura Yudin suddenly fell ill

and cannot go on the hike. and cannot go on the hike.
Yura Yudin suddenly fell Yura Yudin suddenly fell

and cannot go and cannot go

on the hike. on the hike.
From Zina`s diary, January 27, 1959

The horse is walking slowly, it feels good to walk without
backpacks. We covered 8 km in 2 hours. It's already getting darker.
All this delay because of the horse.

Yura Yudin is riding with us. He suddenly fell ill and cannot
go on the hike. He decided to collect rocks for the Institute there.

The 2nd Northern is an abandoned geological settlement
comprising 20-25 houses. One of them is suitable for staying
in. Late at night, we managed to find the village in total
darkness, and we only managed to guess where the hut
was when we noticed a fishing hole in the ice.

We made a fire out of boards. The stove began to smoke.
Several people cut their hands on nails. Everything is
all right. Here is the horse.

And after dinner, we joked around
until 3 a.m. in a warm hut.

Days:
Ru En Es
Day 6 Day 6
-8 C0
28.01

In the morning, the mutterings of Yurka Kri and
Sashka Kolevatov woke everyone up. The weather is
still favourable at around -8°C.

After breakfast, some of the guys led by Yura Yudin, our famous geologist,
went to the core storage hoping to get some materials for the
collection. Nothing but pyrite and quartz veins was there.

A letter from Zina to her friend Lida, January, 1959

We packed for a long time: we waxed skis and bindings.
Yurka Yudin is going back home today. It is a pity
to split up with him, but there’s no other way.

The snow depth this year The snow depth this year

is much less is much less

than last. than last.
The snow depth this The snow depth this

year is much year is much

less than last. less than last.

We left at 11:45. We are going up the river Lozva. Each of us trod
the path for 10 minutes. The snow depth this year is much less
than last. Often we have to stop and scrape wet snow off
the skis, as there are still some unfrozen places.

All our discussions All our discussions

are mainly are mainly

about love about love

Yurka Kri walks behind and takes notes of the route.
The banks of the river in the area of the 2nd North are
rocky, especially the right bank, rocks (made of
limestone) are only found in places and
the bank shifts to gentle slopes covered in forest.

We're going to rest at 5:30 on the banks of the Lozva River. Tonight is our
first night in a tent. The guys are dealing with the stove, sewing a
canopy out of a sheet. After doing some things and skipping others,
we sit down to dinner. After dinner, we sit by the fire for a long time
and sing soulful songs. Zina even tries to learn the mandolin under
the guidance of our main musician Rustik. Then, over and over again,
discussion resumes, and all our discussions that take place
during this time are mainly about love.

Someone gets the idea to take notes on all our thoughts or to make
a special notebook of them. Having talked enough, we both
crawl into the tent. The stove we hung is hot and
divides the tent into two compartments.

Nobody wants to sleep by the stove and we decided to put Yurka Kri
there (on the other side is Sasha Kolevatov). Yurka, having lain
down for two minutes, cannot stand it and moves to the
second compartment, cursing and accusing us of betrayal.

After that, we could not sleep for a long time,
we argued about something, but finally
everything went down.

Days:
Ru En Es
Day 7 Day 7
-22 C0
29.01

Yurka's birthday’s today. First, we go along the Lozva River
and then to the Auspia. The places are beautiful. Mansi
also passed along the Auspia. You can see their tracks,
indents and path. There are often signs on the trails. I
wonder what do they say? Now the Mansis` tracks turn south.

We walked from a night on the Lozva River to a night on the
Auspia River. Walking along the Mansi trail. The weather
is good. -13°C. The wind is weak. We often come across
some frozen areas on the Lozva River.
That's all.

There are often signs There are often signs

on the trails. I wonder on the trails. I wonder

what do they say? what do they say?
From Zina’s diary, January 29, 1959

We spent the night near the ski track.
We chopped firewood. We talked to Yurka about the past.

He is so carefree.

Days:
Ru En Es
Day 8 Day 8
-24 C0
30.01

Writing on the way, in the cold, on the move.
Today is the third cold night on the shore
of the Auspia. We are getting used to it.

The stove is a great thing. Some of us
(Tibo and Krivonishchenko) are thinking of
building a steam heating system for the tent.

Yes, Mansi, Mansi, Mansi, Mansi. Yes, Mansi, Mansi, Mansi, Mansi.

This word crops up in our This word crops up in our

conversation more and more often conversation more and more often
Yes, Mansi, Mansi, Mansi, Mansi. Yes, Mansi, Mansi, Mansi, Mansi.

This word crops up This word crops up

in our conversation in our conversation

more and more often more and more often

After breakfast, we walk along the Auspia River, but again,
these ice blocks keep us from moving forward. We were
walking along a path where the deer walk.

Half way along, we saw a Mansi campsite. Yes, Mansi, Mansi,
Mansi, Mansi. This word crops up in our conversation more and
more often. Mansi are the people of the north. The small Khanty-Mansiyskiy nation with the capital of Salikhard – 8,000 people. Very
interesting and unique people, they inhabit the Northern Zaularny
Urals closer to the Tyumen Region.

They have their own written language and their
forest hieroglyphs and special signs are of
particular interest.

Weather: The temperature in the morning -17°С, in the afternoon - 13°С, in the
evening - 26°С. The wind is strong, southwesterly, snow, the clouds are dense, the
difference in the temperatures is sharp.
The temperature is typical for the Northern Urals.

List of Mansi words in Slobodin’s diary, January 1959
The wind is strong, westerly, The wind is strong, westerly,

knocking down snow from knocking down snow from

the cedars and pines the cedars and pines
The wind is strong, westerly, The wind is strong, westerly,

knocking down snow from knocking down snow from

the cedars and pines the cedars and pines

It's a kind of unique forest story.
These marks talk about the animals in the area, about
campsites, various signs, and to read or unravel
them is of special interest both to tourists
and historians.

The deer trail is over, the well-trodden trail begins, then ends.
It's very difficult to move in the wilderness, the snow is up to 120 cm deep.
The forest is gradually thinning, you can feel the height, the birches
and pine trees are short and ugly. It is impossible to walk along the
river - it is not frozen, but under the snow you can see water and some
frozen parts of the river on the ski track. We go ashore again. The evening
is coming, we must look for a place to rest and spend the night. The wind
is strong, westerly, knocking down snow from the cedars and pines,
creating the impression of snowfall.

As always, we build a fire quickly and put a tent
on the branches.

We got warm by the fire and went to bed.

Days:
Ru En Es
Day 9 Day 9
-24 C0
31.01

Today's weather is a little worse — wind
(westerly), snow (apparently from the trees),
because the sky is completely clear.

We set off relatively early (about 10 a.m.). We are following
the ski trail of the Mansi. (So far we have been walking along
a Mansi trail recently used by a deer hunter.)

Yesterday we saw, apparently, where he spent the night, the
deer didn’t go further, the hunter himself didn’t go judging by
the indentations of the old trail. We are going along his trail now.

It is especially hard to move today. It is especially hard to move today.

We can't understand if we lost sight of We can't understand if we lost sight of

the trails or if we are walking blindly. the trails or if we are walking blindly.
It is especially hard to move It is especially hard to move

today. We can't understand if we today. We can't understand if we

lost sight the trails or if lost sight the trails or if

we are walking blindly. we are walking blindly.

Today was an amazingly good night's sleep, warm and dry,
despite the low temperature (-18°C, -24°C). It is especially
hard to move today. We can't understand if we lost sight
of the trails or if we are walking blindly. So we are walking
1,5 - 2 km per hour.

We are working out new ways of walking faster.
The first person drops their backpack and goes for 5 minutes,
then comes back, resting for 10-15 minutes. Then he catches up
with the rest of the group. This is how the non-stop method
of making the track was born.

It is especially difficult for the second
person with a backpack to follow
the track made by the first.

Days:
Ru En Es
Day10 Day10
-24 C0
01.02

Gradually, we are getting further away from the Auspia,
the way up is constant, but quite smooth. And then
there are no more fir trees, only the odd birch tree.
We have reached the border of the forest.

This is probably This is probably

the snowiest place. the snowiest place.

A warm, piercing westerly wind, the wind speed is similar to
that of an airplane when it takes off. Bare spots. You don't
even have to think about the loophole device.
About 4 o'clock.

We have to find a place to spend the night. We go down to
the south - to the valley of the Auspia. This is probably the
snowiest place. The wind is low, the snow is 1.2 - 2 m. thick.

Tired and exhausted, we started to prepare for the night.
Not enough firewood. Frail, damp spruce. We made a fire on logs,
reluctant to dig a hole. Dinner right in the tent. It's warm.

It is hard to imagine such comfort somewhere
on the ridge, with a sharp wind,
a hundred km from any settlement.

...

Three weeks later, a search party in the area found a ravaged tent. During the next few months, nine bodies were found one by one, all within a kilometre of the tent.

The creek 1500 м
Ravaged Ravaged

tent tent
Kholat Syakhl mountain Kholat Syakhl mountain
The cedar The cedar
Zinaida Kolmogorova
Zinaida
Kolmogorova
Rustem Slobodin
Rustem
Slobodin
Igor Dyatlov
Igor
Dyatlov
Yuri Krivonishchenko
Yuri
Krivonishchenko
Yuri Doroshenko
Yuri
Doroshenko
Lyudmila Dubinina
Lyudmila
Dubinina
Alexander Kolevatov
Alexander
Kolevatov
Semyon Zolotaryov
Semyon
Zolotaryov
Nikolai Tibo-Brinol
Nikolai
Tibo-Brinol
It is still unknown what made the hikers run out to meet their doom.
In the course of the investigation experiment, three main theories are being tested.
Which VERSION are you leaning towards?
An avalanche

On the night of the tragedy on the pass, there was a heavy snowfall. At night, the temperature dropped to minus 40. All of this could have led to an avalanche, which hit the tent. Leaving the tent without warm clothes and equipment, the hikers died from exposure.

A massive ice-block

The top layer of snow melts in the sun and freezes at night and turns into a piece of ice that can easily break off. Such an ice block could have fallen on the hikers, who were sleeping next to their personal belongings. This would explain the nature of their injuries.

Hurricane

Witness records show that there had been an intense hurricane on the day the hikers died on the pass. According to one theory, a member of the team came out of the tent and was blown away by a gust of wind. The others rushed to rescue him, but the wind blew them down the slope too.

Other

If you think that there are still many more mysteries in this story and none of the theories offered solve them all, choose this option.

Here's what the last page of the Dyatlov Group’s diary might have looked like
if an avalanche had fallen that night on the pass:
February 2, 1959.

It was cold. Even the stove would not work properly.
And the storm doesn’t seem like it will ever stop.
The tent is almost covered with snow.

We do not know how to get out, and it’s too soon to
think about it. Rustik jokes we won't have to go
back down the mountain ourselves now - we'll ride on the wind.

The rest of us are not laughing.

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PROJECT TEAM
IDEA
Dinara Toktosunova
Ekaterina Mavrenkova
Dmitry Keshishev
DOCUMENTARY
Cameraman, producer,
director, video editor
Peter Scott
Producer
Asya Mishnova
Editor
Eugene Makhalina
ONLINE PROJECT
Creative director
Vadim Maximov
Motion designer and video editor
Adriano D'Aguiar
Art Director
Ilya Berezin
Producers
Anastasia Keshisheva
Aziz Raufov
Developers
Flyphant
Head of Social Media
Elena Panova
WE ALSO THANK
Vladimir Sungorkin, Eduard Tumanov, Zalina Kariaeva, Anton Zelinsky, Steve Vince, Ekaterina Yadrova, Alexander Abramov, Jose Manuel Sequeira, Elizabeth Short, Gareth Price, Indira Zharova, Leonid Goldman, Yegor Dubov, Anna Khaustova, Diana Osipova, Maria Dyakonova, Anneli Nerman, Jose Jimenez, Carolina Velasco, Tania Miralles
Dyatlov Group Memory Fund
Here's what the last page of the Dyatlov Group’s diary might have looked like
if a massive ice-block had fallen that night on the pass:
February 2, 1959.

We argued for a long time about where to set up the tent. As a result, we agreed with Yura that we
shouldn't go any further;
otherwise, we will be hit by a severe snowstorm. Tibo is laying on a flask like it’s a pillow.

Lyuda is keeping the film warm under her sweater. And Zolotaryov never leaves his camera. They
take care of their stuff more than they take
care of themselves.

As if something would happen to them here.

Share this version

PROJECT TEAM
IDEA
Dinara Toktosunova
Ekaterina Mavrenkova
Dmitry Keshishev
DOCUMENTARY
Cameraman, producer,
director, video editor
Peter Scott
Producer
Asya Mishnova
Editor
Eugene Makhalina
ONLINE PROJECT
Creative director
Vadim Maximov
Motion designer and video editor
Adriano D'Aguiar
Art Director
Ilya Berezin
Producers
Anastasia Keshisheva
Aziz Raufov
Developers
Flyphant
Head of Social Media
Elena Panova
WE ALSO THANK
Vladimir Sungorkin, Eduard Tumanov, Zalina Kariaeva, Anton Zelinsky, Steve Vince, Ekaterina Yadrova, Alexander Abramov, Jose Manuel Sequeira, Elizabeth Short, Gareth Price, Indira Zharova, Leonid Goldman, Yegor Dubov, Anna Khaustova, Diana Osipova, Maria Dyakonova, Anneli Nerman, Jose Jimenez, Carolina Velasco, Tania Miralles
Dyatlov Group Memory Fund
Here's what the last page of the Dyatlov Group’s diary might have looked like
if a hurricane had started that night on the pass:
February 2, 1959.

It seems that nature is punishing us for something.
Because of the hurricane, we had to stop and pitch
our tent on the slope of Halachahl Mountain.

The wind sounds like a plane is taking off nearby.
Someone says we need to get out of here as soon as
possible. But where to?

It's very frightening.

Share this version

PROJECT TEAM
IDEA
Dinara Toktosunova
Ekaterina Mavrenkova
Dmitry Keshishev
DOCUMENTARY
Cameraman, producer,
director, video editor
Peter Scott
Producer
Asya Mishnova
Editor
Eugene Makhalina
ONLINE PROJECT
Creative director
Vadim Maximov
Motion designer and video editor
Adriano D'Aguiar
Art Director
Ilya Berezin
Producers
Anastasia Keshisheva
Aziz Raufov
Developers
Flyphant
Head of Social Media
Elena Panova
WE ALSO THANK
Vladimir Sungorkin, Eduard Tumanov, Zalina Kariaeva, Anton Zelinsky, Steve Vince, Ekaterina Yadrova, Alexander Abramov, Jose Manuel Sequeira, Elizabeth Short, Gareth Price, Indira Zharova, Leonid Goldman, Yegor Dubov, Anna Khaustova, Diana Osipova, Maria Dyakonova, Anneli Nerman, Jose Jimenez, Carolina Velasco, Tania Miralles
Dyatlov Group Memory Fund
Your version
Share your version

PROJECT TEAM
IDEA
Dinara Toktosunova
Ekaterina Mavrenkova
Dmitry Keshishev
DOCUMENTARY
Cameraman, producer,
director, video editor
Peter Scott
Producer
Asya Mishnova
Editor
Eugene Makhalina
ONLINE PROJECT
Creative director
Vadim Maximov
Motion designer and video editor
Adriano D'Aguiar
Art Director
Ilya Berezin
Producers
Anastasia Keshisheva
Aziz Raufov
Developers
Flyphant
Head of Social Media
Elena Panova
WE ALSO THANK
Vladimir Sungorkin, Eduard Tumanov, Zalina Kariaeva, Anton Zelinsky, Steve Vince, Ekaterina Yadrova, Alexander Abramov, Jose Manuel Sequeira, Elizabeth Short, Gareth Price, Indira Zharova, Leonid Goldman, Yegor Dubov, Anna Khaustova, Diana Osipova, Maria Dyakonova, Anneli Nerman, Jose Jimenez, Carolina Velasco, Tania Miralles
Dyatlov Group Memory Fund
About the project

Project trailer

Sixty years after the mysterious death of the Dyatlov group in the mountains of the Northern Urals, a team from the Ruptly news agency return to the site of the tragedy. We follow employees from the Prosecutor's Office, who are investigating the pass to establish what happened to the travellers at height 1079. On the way we film each stage of the Dyatlov route, talk to local residents who were charged with murdering the members of the group, and follow the investigation team as they carry out their fact-finding mission.

The project is based on the journal of the Dyatlov group, as well as criminal case materials, photos taken by the group during and shortly before the hike, and exclusive footage, shot by our operator during the trip to the pass.

We discuss the causes of the tragedy with an expert, V.N. Sungorkin, who has dedicated his life to unlocking the secrets of the mission. He is a leading specialist on the history of the Dyatlov Group, an experienced ski-tourist, and editor-in-chief of the newspaper «Komsomolskaya Pravda».

The mysterious nature of the fatal injuries sustained by the group is addressed by E. V. Tumanov, Associate Professor of the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Pirogov Russian National University of Medical Sciences, co-author of the National Manual of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Medical Expertise, Candidate of Medical Sciences.

The journal of the Dyatlov group cuts off on February 1st, 1959. We invite you to choose your own version of the final page of this journal from a number of different theories. If you think none of these reveal the true essence of the incident, you can write this page yourself.

Both experts took an active part in the investigation, have thoroughly studied all the materials of the criminal case, and visited the pass on numerous occasions.

If you are a member of the press, a researcher or a blogger, and you have your own view on the story, you can contact us to purchase all the video footage we filmed (much of which is not included in the project due to its size) for use in your work by phone at +49 30 3198 72 300 and write to cd@ruptly.tv

Photos provided by the Dyatlov Group Memory Foundation.

PERSONAL ARCHIVE PERSONAL ARCHIVE
Yuri (George) Krivonishchenko Yuri (George) Krivonishchenko

shortly before the hike shortly before the hike
PERSONAL ARCHIVE PERSONAL ARCHIVE
Zina Kolmogorova and Nikolai Tibo-Brinol Zina Kolmogorova and Nikolai Tibo-Brinol

(in the middle) shortly before the hike (in the middle) shortly before the hike
PERSONAL ARCHIVE PERSONAL ARCHIVE
Dyatlov`s diary Dyatlov`s diary

from 1959 from 1959
PERSONAL ARCHIVE PERSONAL ARCHIVE
Igor Dyatlov Igor Dyatlov

shortly before the hike shortly before the hike
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
The town of Serov The town of Serov
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
The town of Serov The town of Serov
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Preparations Preparations
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Zina Kolmogorova in Serov Zina Kolmogorova in Serov
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
From Zina`s diary, From Zina`s diary,

January 24, 1959 January 24, 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Zina Zina

preparing for the hike preparing for the hike
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
A dog A dog
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Locals Locals
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Semyon Zolotaryov Semyon Zolotaryov
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
On a bus to Vizhai On a bus to Vizhai
HISTORICAL REFERENCE HISTORICAL REFERENCE
Front of the bus, GAZ-51, Front of the bus, GAZ-51,

year 1959 year 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Vizhai Vizhai
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
With Blinov`s group With Blinov`s group

Vizhai Vizhai
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
From Zina`s diary, From Zina`s diary,

January 25, 1959 January 25, 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
With Blinov`s group, With Blinov`s group,

Vizhai Vizhai
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
With Blinov`s group, With Blinov`s group,

Vizhai Vizhai
PERSONAL ARCHIVE PERSONAL ARCHIVE
Yuri Doroshenko Yuri Doroshenko
PERSONAL ARCHIVE PERSONAL ARCHIVE
Alexander Kolevatov Alexander Kolevatov
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Vizhai Vizhai
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Dyatlov’s postcard to his family dated Dyatlov’s postcard to his family dated

January 26, 1959 January 26, 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Kolevatov Kolevatov
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Leaving Vizhai Leaving Vizhai
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
A worker nicknamed Beard A worker nicknamed Beard

in the 41st district in the 41st district
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
From Zina`s diary, From Zina`s diary,

January 26, 1959 January 26, 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Workers Workers

in the 41st district in the 41st district
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Zina Zina
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Leaving the Leaving the

41st district 41st district
PERSONAL ARCHIVE PERSONAL ARCHIVE
Yuri Yudin Yuri Yudin
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
From Zina`s diary, From Zina`s diary,

January 27, 1959 January 27, 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
ON THE WAY TO THE Second ON THE WAY TO THE Second

North Mine North Mine
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
ON THE WAY TO THE Second ON THE WAY TO THE Second

North Mine North Mine
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
ON THE WAY TO THE Second ON THE WAY TO THE Second

North Mine North Mine
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
ON THE WAY TO THE Second ON THE WAY TO THE Second

North Mine North Mine
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Yuri Yudin, Yuri Yudin,

the Second North Mine the Second North Mine
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Farewell to Yudin, Farewell to Yudin,

the Second North Mine the Second North Mine
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Waxing skis Waxing skis
PERSONAL ARCHIVE PERSONAL ARCHIVE
A letter from Zina to her friend Lida, A letter from Zina to her friend Lida,

January, 1959 January, 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Tibo Tibo

the Second North Mine the Second North Mine
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Tibo, Tibo,

the Second North Mine the Second North Mine
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Lyuda Dubinina Lyuda Dubinina

saying goodbye to Yuri Yudin saying goodbye to Yuri Yudin
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Tibo and Zolotaryov Tibo and Zolotaryov
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Dyatlov, Dyatlov,

not far from the Lozva river not far from the Lozva river
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Tibo, Tibo,

not far from the Lozva river not far from the Lozva river
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
From Zina`s diary, From Zina`s diary,

January 29, 1959 January 29, 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
A ski track A ski track

somewhere near the Auspiya River somewhere near the Auspiya River
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Somewhere not far Somewhere not far

from the Auspiya River from the Auspiya River
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Zina writing her diary Zina writing her diary
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
somewhere near the Auspiya River somewhere near the Auspiya River
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
somewhere near the Auspiya River somewhere near the Auspiya River
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Signs of the Mansi people Signs of the Mansi people
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Somewhere in the woods Somewhere in the woods
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
List of Mansi words in Slobodin’s List of Mansi words in Slobodin’s

diary, January 1959 diary, January 1959
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Somewhere in the woods Somewhere in the woods
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Yuri (George) Krivonishchenko Yuri (George) Krivonishchenko
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
A layover A layover
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
A layover A layover
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Approaching the last layover Approaching the last layover
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Approaching the last layover Approaching the last layover
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Approaching the last layover Approaching the last layover
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Approaching the last layover Approaching the last layover
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
The pass The pass
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Setting up a tent in the mountains Setting up a tent in the mountains
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Setting up a tent in the mountains Setting up a tent in the mountains
ON THE WAY TO THE PASS ON THE WAY TO THE PASS
Possibly, Possibly,

the last photo the last photo
Sungorkin V.N. Editor-in-chief,
Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper
Rocket theory

One of the search teams claimed that the Dyatlov Group had died as a result of weapons testing. Locals said they saw bright white circles and unusual flashes in the sky. Those that back this theory believe a rocket could have caused the students to run out of their tent in panic, lose their orientation, and never return. However, except for traces of radiation on the clothes of the dead, there is no evidence to prove this version.

Sungorkin V.N. Editor-in-chief,
Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper
Drugs theory

According to this theory, members of the Dyatlov Group, had been testing medicine that reduces susceptibility to cold out in the field. But the side effects could be extraordinary bursts of strength and uncontrolled aggression. This led to a brutal fight. When the effect of the drugs wore off, the injured and exhausted hikers died of exposure. There is no proof to support this version.

Near the village of Vizhai. Photo of 1959.
Prisoners theory

According to this theory, the Dyatlov Group was killed by prisoners who escaped from a nearby camp. Those who back this version, claim that the authorities concealed the real cause of the tragedy, fearing a scandal. However, according to official documents, no evidence suggests the hikers were killed by prisoners.

Sungorkin V.N. Editor-in-chief,
Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper
Military theory

Some researchers along with Yuri Yudin, who pulled out of the group at the last moment, said that secret experiments were being conducted in the Urals. Any witnesses had to be eliminated. According to this theory, the Dyatlov Group was killed by the military, with the circumstances covered up. There is no proof to support this version.

Sungorkin V.N. Editor-in-chief,
Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper
Storm theory

Witness records show that on the day the hikers reportedly died, a hurricane raged on the pass and in its vicinity. According to one theory, someone from the Dyatlov Group got out of the tent and was blown away by a gust of wind. The others rushed to rescue him but were also carried away down the slope. The prosecutor's office is assessing this version.

The Mansi people, photo from 1959.
Mansi theory

The first suspects in the deaths were locals. The reason was the tent was sliced open. The Mansi people and those that knew them well, claimed no one had gone to the pass at that hour. It was later established the tent was cut from the inside. The theory was not confirmed.

The cause of death of Doroshenko

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

On the basis of the study of the corpse of Yuri Nikolaevich Doroshenko, 21, taking into account the circumstances of the case, we believe that the death was caused by low temperature / freezing / as evidenced by: swelling of the cerebral membranes, rapid full blood flow in internal organs, overflowing of the liquid and dark blood of the heart cavity, the presence of Vishnevsky stains on the stomach mucosa, overflowing of the bladder, as well as third- and fourth-degree frostbite of the fingers and toes.

External examination of injuries in the form of abrasions and skin wounds caused by blunt instruments, which may have occurred as a result of falling or bruising on rocks, ice, etc. The above-mentioned injuries were caused both in living and in agonal and postmortem conditions. By the nature of the damage, the above-mentioned damage is considered minor damage without any health consequences.

The findings of the Doroshenko autopsy suggest he had eaten 6-8 hours before his death. No alcohol was detected in his body. The death was unnatural, but accidental.

The cause of death of Dubinina

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

Based on a study of the corpse of Dubinina L.A., we believe Dubinina's death was caused by an extensive hemorrhage to the right ventricle, multiple double-sided rib fractures, and heavy internal bleeding to the chest cavity.

The above injuries could have been caused by a large blow, which resulted in a serious and closed fatal injury to the chest of Dubinina. Moreover, the injuries sustained while alive are the result of exposure to great force with a resulting fall, a throw or bruising of the chest area of Dubinina.

Damage to the soft tissue of the head region and the macerated skin of the limbs are postmortem changes (rotting and decomposition) in the body of Dubinina, which was in the water for a while before it was discovered. Dubinina's death was unnatural.

The cause of death of Dyatlov

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

On the basis of the study of the corpse of Dyatlov Igor Alekseevich, 21, taking into account the circumstances of the case, we believe that the death was caused by low temperature / freezing / as evidenced by: swelling of the cerebral membranes, rapid full blood flow of internal organs, overflowing of the liquid and dark blood of the heart cavity, the presence of Vishnevsky stains on the stomach mucosa, overflowing of the bladder, as well as third- and fourth-degree frostbite of the fingers and toes.

External examination of injuries in the form of abrasions and skin wounds caused by blunt instruments, which may have occurred as a result of falling or bruising on rocks, ice, etc. The above injuries were caused both in life and in agonal and postmortem conditions. By the nature of the damage, the above-mentioned damage is considered minor damage without any health consequences.

The findings of the Dyatlov autopsy suggest he had eaten 6-8 hours before his death. No alcohol was detected in his body. The death was unnatural, an accident.

The cause of death of Kolevatov

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

Based on the examination of Kolevatov's death, we believe his death occurred as a result of exposure to cold weather. Kolevatov's body injuries in the area of his head, soft tissue defects, as well as "bath" skin are postmortem changes in the corpse, which was in the water for a while before it was discovered. Kolevatov's death was unnatural.

The cause of death of Kolmogorova

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

On the basis of the study of the corpse of Kolmogorova Zinaida Alekseevna, 22, taking into account the circumstances of the case, we believe that the death was caused by low temperature / freezing / as evidenced by: swelling of the cerebral membranes, rapid full blood flow of internal organs, overflowing of the liquid and dark blood of the heart cavity, the presence of Vishnevsky stains on the stomach mucosa, overflowing of the bladder, as well as third- and fourth-degree frostbite of the fingers and toes.

External examination of injuries in the form of abrasions and skin wounds caused by blunt instruments, which may have occurred as a result of falling or bruising on rocks, ice, etc. The above injuries were caused to Kolmogorova both in life and in agonal and postmortem conditions. By the nature of the damage, the above-mentioned damage is considered minor damage without any health consequences.

The findings of the Kolmogorova autopsy suggest she had eaten 6-8 hours before her death. No alcohol was detected in her body. The death was unnatural, but accidental.

The cause of death of Krivonishchenko

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

On the basis of the study of the corpse of Krivonishchenko Georgy Alekseevich, 23, taking into account the circumstances of the case, we believe that the death was caused by low temperature / freezing / as evidenced by: swelling of the cerebral membranes, rapid full blood flow in internal organs, overflowing of the liquid and dark blood of the heart cavity, the presence of Vishnevsky stains on the stomach mucosa, overflowing of the bladder, as well as third- and fourth-degree frostbite of the fingers and toes.

External examination of injuries in the form of abrasions and skin wounds caused by blunt instruments, which may have occurred as a result of falling or bruising on rocks, ice, etc. The above injuries were caused to Krivonishchenko both in life and in agonal and postmortem conditions. By the nature of the damage, the above-mentioned damage is considered minor damage without any health consequences.

The findings of the Krivonishchenko autopsy suggest he had eaten 6-8 hours before his death. No alcohol was detected in his body. The death was unnatural, an accident.

The cause of death of Zolotaryov

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

Based on a study of the corpse of Mr. Zolotaryov, 37 years old, I believe that his death occurred as a result of multiple fractures to the ribs on the right side with internal bleeding into the pleural cavity in the presence of low temperature conditions. The above multiple fractures of Zolotaryov's ribs with bleeding into the pleural cavity occurred while he was alive and are the result of exposure to great force to the chest area of Zolotaryov at the time of his fall, compression or being thrown.

Injuries to the soft tissues in the area of Zolotaryov's head, as well as the presence of "bath skin" in the area of the fingers, upper and lower extremities are postmortem changes in the body of Zolotaryov, which was in the water for a while before it was discovered. Zolotaryov's death was unnatural.

The cause of death of Slobodin

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

On the basis of data from the study of the body of Rustem Vladimirovich Slobodin, 23 years old, and taking into account the circumstances of the case, we believe that the death was caused by low temperature / freezing / as evidenced by: swelling of the cerebral membranes, full-blooded internal organs, an overflow of liquid and dark blood of the heart cavity, the presence of Vishnevsky stains on the stomach mucosa, overfilling of the bladder, as well as third- and fourth-degree frostbite of the fingers and toes.

A fracture of the left frontal bone detected during the internal examination may have occurred if Slobodin fell or if his head was bruised on rocks, ice, etc. This closed skull injury was caused by a blunt instrument. At the time of its occurrence, it undoubtedly stunned Slobodin in the short term and contributed to the rapid freezing of the body.

The absence of a clear brain hemorrhage suggests that Slobodin's death was caused by freezing.

The injuries found on the body of Slobodin in the form of abrasions, scratches, grazes, depositions are caused by blunt instruments as a result of falling and bruising on rocks, ice, etc.

By the nature of the injuries, the above-mentioned damage is considered minor damage without any health consequences.

The findings of the study suggest that he had eaten 6-8 hours before his death. No alcohol was detected in his body.

Considering the above-mentioned injuries, Slobodin was able to move and crawl in the first few hours after they were inflicted. The death was unnatural, but accidental.

The cause of death of Tibo-Brinol

From the conclusions of the medical-forensic
examination, 1959:

On the basis of the study of the corpse of N.V. Tibo-Brinol, I believe that his death occurred as a result of a closed communicated depressed fracture into the vault and base of the skull, with abundant hemorrhaging under the cerebral membranes and into the substance of the brain in the presence of the surrounding low temperature. The above-mentioned extensive communicated fracture of the bone of the vault and base of the skull while alive are the result of exposure to great force followed by a fall, a push and injury of Tibo-Brinol.

Injuries to the soft tissues of the head region and the macerated skin of the limbs are post-mortem changes in the body of Tibo-Brinol, which was in the water for a while. The death of Tibo-Brinol was unnatural.

The espionage version

According to writer Alexei Rakitin, KGB officers were introduced into the Dyatlov group. Rakitin claims they were supposed to meet with American spies near the pass and give them samples of radioactive particles on their clothes. Supposedly, these pieces could divulge a lot about the Soviet nuclear program. They could thus out the Americans for espionage. But something went wrong, the KGB agents were exposed, and the group was destroyed by the spies. This version is a conspiracy theory.

The avalache version

According to this version, there was heavy snowfall on the pass on the night of the tragedy. The temperature dropped to -40 °C. This led to the formation of an avalanche, which crashed down on the tent. After getting out of the tent without warm clothes and equipment, hikers died due to the extreme cold. The Prosecutor's Office is investigating this version.

The domestic dispute verion

According to this version, the tragedy was caused by an ordinary domestic conflict which can occur between young people over girls or due to alcoholic intoxication. There was however no alcohol in the blood of the Dyatlov group, and no hints of possible conflict over unrequited love were mentioned in the diaries. There is no real evidence supporting this version.