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Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident

Donnie Eichar (Goodreads Author)

3.98 · Rating details · 9,855 ratings · 1,315 reviews

In February 1959, a group of nine experienced hikers in the Russian Ural Mountains died mysteriously on an elevation known as Dead Mountain. Eerie aspects of the incident—unexplained violent injuries, signs that they cut open and fled the tent without proper clothing or shoes, a strange final photograph taken by one of the hikers, and elevated levels of radiation found on ...more

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Kindle Edition, 288 pages

Published October 22nd 2013 by Chronicle Books LLC

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Aug 05, 2016 Matt rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: journalism, mystery, outdoors, travel-adventure

How’s this for a mystery?

In February 1959, nine Russian hikers ventured into the Ural Mountains and never returned. When searchers went looking for them, they discovered a distressing scene. The hikers’ tent had been cut open. Despite ample supplies, the hikers’ bodies were found outside the tent only partially dressed. Six of the hikers had succumbed to hypothermia, but others showed signs of head trauma. One of the corpses had a missing tongue. Of course, since this was the Soviet Union – lan ...more

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Dec 03, 2013 Trudi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, ken-reads, jessica-pick, survive-this, man-vs-nature, group-in-peril, 2014, to-russia-with-love

This is one creepy-ass unsolved mystery, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. The true story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident and the inexplicable deaths of nine experienced hikers is one of those strange but true tales that leaves a person shuddering from the heebie-jeebies.

Remote and inhospitable Ural Mountains, Russia. February 1959.

A group of nine university students -- 7 men, 2 women -- set up their tent for the evening.

The experienced hikers begin the ritual of settling in for ...more

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Nov 02, 2014 Dem rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, 5-star

An Excellent Read.

Thank you to Mr Donnie Eichar for finally satisfying my curiosity on the Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident. I had come across this story on a couple of occasions but had very little information on it and was so glad to have located this book while searching for a completely different book on the internet

" In February 1959 a group of nine experienced hikers in the Russian Ural Mountains died mysteriously on an elevation known as Dead Mountain. Eerie aspects of the incident i An Excellent Read.

Thank you to Mr Donnie Eichar for finally satisfying my curiosity on the Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident. I had come across this story on a couple of occasions but had very little information on it and was so glad to have located this book while searching for a completely different book on the internet

" In February 1959 a group of nine experienced hikers in the Russian Ural Mountains died mysteriously on an elevation known as Dead Mountain. Eerie aspects of the incident included violent injuries, signs that they cut open and fled the tent without proper clothing or shoes, a strange final photograph taken by one of the hikers, and elevated levels of radiation found on some of their clothes has led to decades of speculation over what really happened.
This gripping work of literary nonfiction delves into the mystery through unprecedented access to the hikers' own journals and photographs, rarely seen government records, dozens of interviews, and the author's retracing of the hikers' fateful journey in the Russian winter.

When I started reading this book I just couldn't put it down as the research and information supplied by the author was excellent. I love how he set the scene from page one and engrossed the reader with straight forward details and facts so much so that I felt I was hiking along with these young people and I felt a connection with the story throughout. I love how Donnie explores all the theories put forward throughout the years and how he finally manages to give a credible and excellent explanation for the deaths of the hikers.

This was one of those books that had me totally engrossed and when I finished it I must admit I spent an hour researching the Internet for photos of the mountain and places named in the book. The book does have photos and a map which I always find so useful. I just couldn't stop thinking about the Incident or the book and for me thats a 5 star read.

This is an extremely interesting and well written account of the Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident and for anyone interested in reading true life adventures.
...more

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Jan 06, 2019 ALet rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2019

★★★/5
It was interesting, but I didn‘t really care about research. Theories were intriguing and his explanation was fascinating and easily understandable.

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Mar 30, 2013 Josh rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, high-five

We are fragile beings. The camaraderie of a group, their emotions, their smiles only last so long: Through photographs, the eternal message of latter days.

When a book stays on your mind continuously for several days, you have to then try to reason why. Why am I still thinking about this? Why does it seem to affect me more in the long run than when I initially read it?

Humans, as a whole, are curious; the search for knowledge is innate and a troublesome curmudgeon, never letting go. When there is ...more

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Nov 13, 2018 leslie hamod rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amazing true story of ten college hikers who head to the Ural mountains. When their bodies are found, speculation abounds. All of this occurred in 1959. An American citizen went to investigate fifty years later, obsessed by the case. He meets with resistance, questioning and some assistance. When the bodies are discovered, he also investigates. The results will astound readers of real life adventures. Loved this book! So intriguing, insightful and believe it or not, physics! Astounding read! Wel ...more

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Nov 08, 2014 Carol rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, ebook, favorites, read-2014

The Dyatlov Pass Incident

In this riveting and informative non-fiction read, Documentary Filmmaker and Author, Donnie Eichar, pieces together the mystery of WHY nine young experienced Russian hikers left their tent after dark without shoes or proper clothing in sub-zero temperatures back in 1956. It was determined that six died of hypothermia, the remaining three of brutal injuries......one even missing a tongue, but.......WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?

Eichar does a great job of investigating and succinct

...more

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Dec 28, 2016 abby rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction

"In savage winter conditions, and over a vast stretch of ground, all nine fought for their own and one another's lives with the bravery and endurance worthy of Grade III hikers. It was a distinction they would never earn, but one that each of them so rightly deserved."

In January 1959, ten young but seasoned hikers set off from Yekaterinburg, Russia, where most of them were engineering students at a local college, on a trek through the treacherous Ural mountains. One came home early due to heath issues. The remaining nine never returned.

Whatever happened at Dyaltov Pass (so named after the leader of the doomed hiking group, Igor Dyaltov), it remains an intriguing case for unsolved mystery buffs and conspiracy theorists the world over. Not because 9 people died in the Siberia in February but because of the condition in which they are found. Their tent is discovered abandoned, with all necessary supplies for cold weather survival still stored neatly inside. Something caused the 9 hikers to cut the tent from the inside and flee into the cold night. None were wearing proper shoes, having left their ski boots lined up inside the tent. Some of the bodies are discovered wearing little more than long underwear, their clothing instead found on some of the other hikers' bodies. One of the hikers is found wearing two watches. One woman's body is missing its tongue. The bodies look orange and radiation is detected on their clothing. At least one of the hikers seems to have been trying to climb a tree. That night there was no moon until 3 am and temperatures would have dropped to 40 below.

So why did they leave the tent when it meant almost certain death?

Like many others before him, author Donnie Eichar became fascinated with the Dyaltov Pass tragedy and traveled to Russia in an attempt to recreate that fateful hike. In Dead Mountain he tells not only the story of the hikers but that of his own journey in Siberia. While Eichar does not identify himself as a skeptic, it's fair to say he is one. Thank goodness. If this book had ended with any suggestion that Yeti, aliens or the Soviet government had killed the hikers, I would have burned it (these, sadly, are actual and popular "theories" of what happened). What Eichar proves is that a lot of details about this case that seem nefarious at first glance in fact have easy and obvious explanations.

Where this book missed the mark a bit was when the author deviated from telling the hikers' story to trying to solve the mystery of why they left the tent that night. His final explanation does not really hold water. That said, his detailed reconstruction of what happened afterwards, in the few minutes and hours between abandoning the tent and the hikers' tragic deaths seems very plausible. Eichar seems to have no background in accident reconstruction, crime scene investigation, or investigation journalism, and I give him a lot of credit for his efforts, even if I think he was perhaps a bit misguided.

One of the reasons I loved this book is that I'm just such an unsolved mysteries junkie (both the concept and the TV show, which was my absolute favorite growing up). I do wish this book had been more. More about the hikers, more details about how they were found, more discussion of alternate theories (real ones, not involving aliens). 4.5 stars. ...more

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Nov 13, 2018 leslie hamod rated it it was amazing

Incredible story about nine college students who hiked into the Ural mountains and disappeared. The story is true, 1959, over fifty years ago. Many theories were investigated, such as they were blown off the mountain, the prisoners of nearby gulags for them, a meteor! At that time the Soviet Union was testing missiles in that area.
If course, also, it was the arms race and feelings towards an investigation by an American citizen might not be well accepted. The bodies were eventually found but in ...more

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Jun 14, 2018 April (Aprilius Maximus) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018

Found myself skimming a lot of the boring stuff coz i just wanted to know what happened!!!

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Nov 29, 2018 Renee Godding rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

Rating: 4 stars

In February of 1959, a group of young but experienced hikers embarked on a track through the Ural mountains in Russia, never to return. Over the months that follow, their bodies are located one by one, painting a confusing and horrifying picture of the events that affected the group. A frenzied escape from the safety of their camp wearing little more than underwear, curious evidence like clothes emitting radiation and injuries that seem to defy explanation… All of this has made Rating: 4 stars

In February of 1959, a group of young but experienced hikers embarked on a track through the Ural mountains in Russia, never to return. Over the months that follow, their bodies are located one by one, painting a confusing and horrifying picture of the events that affected the group. A frenzied escape from the safety of their camp wearing little more than underwear, curious evidence like clothes emitting radiation and injuries that seem to defy explanation… All of this has made this case the subject of much speculation over the years. Theories range from accidents to foul play, from Soviet soldiers to Russian Yeti’s, and from secret weapons testing to extraterrestrials.
In Dead Mountain; the untold true story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident , investigative journalist Donnie Eichar sets out to explore all theories and find the truth among the speculation.

Investigative true crime can be a tricky genre; these are real events, with real people, who often still have real (living) relatives. To me, treating the case and people at hand with the due respect is always one of the first things I look for in books like this. I’m happy to say that Donnie Eichar handles this very well.

People come before sensationalism in this book.

Quite literally the books opens with introducing us in depth to the people in the group. I really did appreciate this. The hikers become real people to the reader, not just faceless puppets in a sensational mystery. Although some of this information may be a little too much for some readers (this really depends on taste), I enjoyed this part and I think it shows how dedicated Eichar is as an investigator. He has talked to the people involved, and thoroughly did his research.
This also applies to his investigation of the theories, and the final conclusion he comes to. Eichar addresses many of the popular theories with an open mind and argues why he feels one is more or less likely than the other. Afterwards he presents his own (well researched!) theory, which in my opinion is the most plausible yet.
This is not a definitive plea for his case: in the end the reader is left to draw their own conclusions, which can feel a little unsatisfying. Then again: what other way can you feel about a case that will probably never be definitively solved.
My biggest criticism of the book was the pacing. As mentioned: the start goes very in depth on all the hikers backstories, and although interesting, is quite slow. There were moment here where I found myself a little bored, especially around the (first) description of the group embarking on their trip.
This was in stark contrast to the final chapters on the theories. Some of those were quite short and fast. I would have liked a little more depth here, possibly at the expense of some of the earlier parts.

It’s 2018 as I’m writing this review, and in all honesty: all theories described in this novel can be found with a quick google search. It really is the story of the people and the in depth explanation where this book shines. If you are mildly curious and just want a quick glance of this case, this book may be to in depth and you might be satisfied just by reading some articles online. If you know a little about it and (like me) were fascinated by what you learned, this book might be for you. ...more

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Nov 08, 2014 Jen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, memoirs-biographies

In 1959, 9 experienced hikers disappear in the Ural Mountains. What becomes a search and rescue mission, unfortunately becomes a recovery one. It takes months before all of the bodies are located. Speculation and theories surround the mystery of what happened to make them leave the security of their tent, in subarctic temps, scantily clad, and bring them to their death. It was well researched and fascinating. This is Eichar's take of what he suspects happened to them. We may never know exactly b ...more

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Dec 27, 2017 Zuky the BookBum rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, 2017, 4-stars

I’d been wanting to read this nonfiction for ages but never really felt in the mood for it. Just before Christmas I picked it up, and it did take me a couple of weeks to read, but it was worth it! An emotional and insightful look at the mysterious Dyatlov Pass Incident.

I’ve always been interested in mysterious happenings, at the ripe old age of 10 I was receiving books about poltergeists, spontaneous combustion, missing people cases and so on, so when I first heard about the Dyatlov Pass Inciden I’d been wanting to read this nonfiction for ages but never really felt in the mood for it. Just before Christmas I picked it up, and it did take me a couple of weeks to read, but it was worth it! An emotional and insightful look at the mysterious Dyatlov Pass Incident.

I’ve always been interested in mysterious happenings, at the ripe old age of 10 I was receiving books about poltergeists, spontaneous combustion, missing people cases and so on, so when I first heard about the Dyatlov Pass Incident, of course my interest was piqued! Then, when I found out there was actually a novel ‘solving’ the case, I was even more interested in it.

I haven’t read any other novels on the case, but I can imagine most of them get straight to the nitty-gritty of what they think happened to the unfortunate hikers, Eichar, however, builds his conclusions very slowly. At times, I felt a little bit annoyed about this – I really would just love to know what the hell you think happened! – but on the other hand I loved the way he made the hikers more than just an unfortunate accident. He breathes life back into them. Eichar takes diary entries, photographs, and interviews to build an intricate and honest look into each of the hikers days that lead up to their deaths.

As for Eichar’s theories on what really happened to the Dyatlov hikers, I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a sad story, rather than a spooky serial-killer-ghost one. While I love mysteries of the unknown, when it comes to something as tragic as this incident, it’s nice to have an answer to “what happened?”… I think Eichar’s theories seem legitimate and well researched, so when the book claims to have the “true story” I can believe it.

I don’t want to say too much about this novel because it’s the sort of book that needs to be read to be appreciated, hence my almost mini review, but I think this was a very good and well written nonfiction novel. At times I found some of the goings-on a little tedious, but overall it was an interesting read. ...more

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Dec 21, 2016 Amanda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

This was an excellent nonfiction. I think this is as close to a true crime book I've read - due to the mystery surrounding the deceased Dyatlov hikers - and I enjoyed myself so much I think I'll have to start reading true crime! Eichar is foremost concerned with humanizing the nine hikers who died at the foot of Dead Mountain in 1959. This is not only humane, but very effective for storytelling as soon I was as invested in learning what happened to Igor and Zina and Georgy and the rest of the hi ...more

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Jun 26, 2017 Rowan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this book over a weekend and found it impossible to put down! Since then, I have been devouring any piece of information I can find on the Dyatlov Pass Incident. That alone is testament to the passion and infectious enthusiasm for the case that Donnie Eichar has put into this book. Trying to solve the mystery behind “an unknown compelling force” kept me gripped throughout!

One of the first things you notice is the respectful tone of the book. Each chapter follows the story of the hikers, t I read this book over a weekend and found it impossible to put down! Since then, I have been devouring any piece of information I can find on the Dyatlov Pass Incident. That alone is testament to the passion and infectious enthusiasm for the case that Donnie Eichar has put into this book. Trying to solve the mystery behind “an unknown compelling force” kept me gripped throughout!

One of the first things you notice is the respectful tone of the book. Each chapter follows the story of the hikers, the searchers/investigation and Eichar’s own adventure to the Urals. While the timeframe jumps around slightly, the book soon finds a nice rhythm and Eichar manages these different narratives brilliantly – it results in a book that never treads water.

The use of photographs throughout really brought the story and hikers to life, making me feel like I was standing witness to their 1959 journey. Each member of the Dyatlov group is introduced and brought to life by Eichar’s attention to detail – all of a sudden, these are not merely 9 people who mysterious perished, but individuals I felt a personal connection to. It made the tragedy seem so much more upsetting and unsettling.

The author’s adventures and investigations in Russia itself were some of the most exciting. I couldn’t help but wish that Eichar had created a documentary about this (he’s a filmmaker too). His interactions with Yuri Kuntsevich (President of Dyatlov Foundation) and his wife, were equally parts heartwarming, intriguing and gripping – especially when Yuri Yudin (the only surviving Dyatlov member) starts making an appearance! Donnie’s interactions with the Russians often interjected some humour into what was otherwise a tragic story – the image of Oleg and his “Russian snow bath” still makes me laugh!

The book seemed to bring about even more questions involving the mystery: What made the experienced hikers abruptly abandon their tent? What was the bright rocket, thundering sound and bright orbs witnessed in the area? Why did the authorities treat the victims’ families so badly in the aftermath? Why did the KGB attend their funerals? Why did the lead investigator suddenly go to Moscow, then return and abruptly abandon his inquiries into the orbs, lights and UFO theories?

Things just got stranger as the book progressed and high levels of radiation were found on the hikers’ bodies. Stranger still, was Lev Ivanov (lead investigator) being convinced the orbs in the sky were connected to their deaths.

The book took a fascinating turn towards the end as scientific explanations behind the mystery were explored. It was fascinating when the author met with atmospheric physicists at a high-security research location in the U.S! Without spoiling anything, the scientific theories made a lot of sense – and I never would have thought reading a Lemmy Kilmister biography years ago would help me understand it!

It seems the infamous “unknown compelling force” really was the closest conclusion (given science and technology) at the time that investigators could have concluded. The author’s final chapter recreated events on the hikers’ final day (based on conclusions drawn from other parts of the book). It gave the mystery as much closure as it probably ever will and most importantly, ended very respectfully. One of the best books I’ve read this year!

Rest in Peace Igor, Yuri, Zina, Alexander, Sasha, Lyuda, Rustik, Georgy, Kolya and Yuri. You were the Grade III hikers you aspired to be and so much more.
...more

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Oct 17, 2018 Lisa rated it really liked it

Damn, I do hate writing reviews anymore! Sometimes though the book, author or subject matter almost grabs me by the ears and demands a review. Well, shit fuzzy, crikey, and dang it..here goes! Mr. Eichar had me worried from the start, and it all started with his winter footwear! Sure, he's sunshine, I'm clouds and snow. I don't know anyone up here in Montana who doesn't break in their boots before actually using the bastard things! We so crazy....we go around in shorts, tees and our new boots fo Damn, I do hate writing reviews anymore! Sometimes though the book, author or subject matter almost grabs me by the ears and demands a review. Well, shit fuzzy, crikey, and dang it..here goes! Mr. Eichar had me worried from the start, and it all started with his winter footwear! Sure, he's sunshine, I'm clouds and snow. I don't know anyone up here in Montana who doesn't break in their boots before actually using the bastard things! We so crazy....we go around in shorts, tees and our new boots for 3 hours a day, just breaking those barstards in. Sheesh, what a pain in the butt. I seldom start books like this without knowing anything about it. The few things I had heard kept me far, far away from it. Aliens, abominable snowmen/women, killers in woods..blah, blah. So, with no knowledge at all about this incident, I started reading. Absolutely fascinating! 60% I did what I always do, I went on Bing and studied the death photo's, which were interesting, but then I found the autopy results. I'm just one of those people who can't take the word of others. I have to see for myself. By the way, if you're so inclined, the autopsy findings are more extensive than I'd hoped. I do like an external and internal. Also, I want to know what is in their pockets. I don't understand what the big mystery about this case is. While I think the authors theory is compelling, I dont quite agree. The internal damage of some of these students could have indeed been caused by a fall onto rocks as they were running away. And I do believe that in some few cases. Yet, the bruising was so extensive that it suggests to me they may have recieved the internal damage hours before they died of hypothermia. (Foam and blood in lungs/stomach.) The clothes were shredded and burned. This wasn't satisfactorily explained for me. Shredding from running and falling? Sure. Burns? Nope. Yet, for me the oddest thing was the missing tongue. I might have, "yet not really" been able to accept the explanation of that damn tongue except for the fact that a freaking tongue is not going to dissolve in wet circumstances like this. Not in subzero temps with face in snow. The tongue is a muscle, and it's stringy and strong. It's not going to melt away in 3 months. There was also quite a bit of blood in her stomach. If you bite off your tongue, you'll end up swallowing blood, but if it's dissolved in a snowbank of freezing water, you are already dead. No blood will go or build up in your stomach. So, where did the blood come from? Jeezum crow, this review is rambling. I hate to say anything about the book because of spoilers. O.K., so here is my opinion. It's not the authors opinion, I'll let you read that on your own! I believe that the Soviet Union may have been testing something that night. Some local reports claim the testing came later that month. However, the very last photo taken was telling. Obviously when you look at it there is some refraction of light from the lens midscreen. To the left is an object in motion. The author explains this away as a photo taken by mistake by the "tourists" or the recovery team. But, look to the right, and the snow covered mountain is quite obvious. Not blurred nor smudged. Still as life. Yes, I know...ramble, ramble, ramble! I believe that a concussive force, and possibly the heat, noise and fear of it led them to cut their tent to escape. I believe that's how some sustained their injuries. Falls in snow, rock and deep gullies would also explain the damage on hands, knees, feet and skull fractures. To heck with it. I have 101 reasons why I think this was a concussive force. 1959 in the Urals? Government conspiracy? I personally don't think so. What if it was something as simple, yet completely strange as a meteor? Light, noise, explosion and heat. That's a big arsed concussive force. Meteor or Soviet weapon test? My conclusion is one or the other. I'm personally on the side of meteor. Either/or, I'm satisfied with my conclusions. ...more

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Feb 21, 2016 Petra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I heard about this incident a while back, through a youtube video and it intrigued me ever sense.
I researched the story on the internet, but unfortunately all I got were crackpot theories about UFOs and Yetis. The lack of hard facts annoyed me and that's why I was so eager to read this book.
And I have to say, this was a rare case for me when a book did meet my expectations.

So here it goes....

Nine experienced hikers die in the Ural Mountains. What's really unusual though, is that they cut their ...more

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Jan 25, 2017 Rori Rischak rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I zipped through this book because I found the subject matter fascinating, but the presentation of the material definitely disappointed me. I had two major problems with the book:
1. A LARGE chunk of the book was devoted to the author telling his own story about traveling to Russia, preparing to hike the Ural Mountains, and other stuff not too related to the mystery surrounding the Dyatlov Pass incident. The reason I read this book, and probably the reason a lot of other people read this book, is I zipped through this book because I found the subject matter fascinating, but the presentation of the material definitely disappointed me. I had two major problems with the book:
1. A LARGE chunk of the book was devoted to the author telling his own story about traveling to Russia, preparing to hike the Ural Mountains, and other stuff not too related to the mystery surrounding the Dyatlov Pass incident. The reason I read this book, and probably the reason a lot of other people read this book, is to read about the mysterious deaths of the hikers and the theories surrounding their deaths. I don’t much care about some guy’s recent, uneventful trip to Russia and hike through the mountains.
2. I was disappointed with the way he presented the various theories on what happened. I’ll spoiler this part, in case people don’t want to hear my opinion on his theories until after they’ve read the book.

(view spoiler)[
Before presenting his theory as to what happened, Eichar discredits seven other theories. Some of his discredits are legitimate (since the tent was upright and its contents were undisturbed, an avalanche does seem unlikely), but some of them I think are a little too dismissive. For instance, he doesn’t think it’s Russian military or classified government information because he thinks the government would have declassified such information by now. That’s pretty much his only reasoning, which seems a pretty weak reason to dismiss entire theories, particularly given the Russian government’s reaction to the deaths and efforts made to keep the incident away from publicity.

He dismisses UFOs and alien activity as utterly absurd, and here I feel compelled to go on a small tangent. When a group of nine people flee a tent in -20 degree weather without even wearing shoes, we are already in the realm of the absurd. And what really irritates me about these proud, “rational” skeptics is the way everything is either “absurd” or “proven by science.” Seriously? You really think the most rational way to view the world is to dismiss everything that hasn’t been scientifically proven as absurd? You do know that we don’t understand every single thing about this world, right? And that maybe there’s certain things that you can acknowledge are within the realm of possibility, despite the fact that science cannot yet dissect and explain it.

Anyways, the theory he puts forth is the theory of infrasound waves. The basic concept behind infrasound waves, is that there are certain sounds that are at a frequency too low for human ears to hear, but can still be sensed by the brain, and these feelings can cause anxiety, depression, etc. And the way Eichar treats this theory is crazy. After neatly dismissing the other theories, he then proceeds to ignore the problems with his theory. For example, he cites a study showing that when an audience listened to four songs, and two of them had infrasound notes in them, about 23% of the audience confessed to feelings of unease, racing hearts, etc. during the songs. To recap: 1/5-1/4 of people exposed to these sound waves feel unease. To then propose that 100% of people exposed to these sound waves would delve into pure madness and insanity is a huge jump in logic. Also, one of his reasons for dismissing the avalanche theory is that there have been about one hundred expeditions to the same area since the Dyatlov incident, and no avalanche ever occurred. Well, similarly, in those one hundred expeditions since, no infrasound waves caused people to become lunatics, either. (hide spoiler)]

To summarize my review: This book was written as three intertwined stories: the story of Eichar’s experience writing the book in Russia, the experience of the hikers on the hike, and the experience of the search party looking for the hikers. The theories on the incident are tucked in at the end, and only one theory is explored at any length.

I would have preferred for the book to be written like this: keep in the story of the hikers, keep in the story of the search party, and remove the modern day story. Instead, replace all that content with expanding upon and exploring multiple theories in depth, writing out maybe a few alternate histories, and exploring the strengths and weaknesses of each one, rather than proposing one theory as the most likely one.
...more

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May 27, 2016 Becky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015-2016-adventure-read, brrr-its-cold-in-here, frontiers, heeby-jeebies, history, man-versus-nature, men-were-men, modern-nonfic, natural-disaster, rock-climbing

Wow. Wow. I have read some GREAT books as part of my 2015-2016 adventure themed read (which, btw is going on much longer than it was intended to because books just keep falling into my lap), but this book definitely stands among the best.

If you are familiar with alpining and rock climbing stories, then you’ve most likely heard about Dyatlov Pass. It’s a damn modern ghost story that backpackers and alpiners alike spook themselves with sitting at a campfire. In almost any backwoods or alpining sur Wow. Wow. I have read some GREAT books as part of my 2015-2016 adventure themed read (which, btw is going on much longer than it was intended to because books just keep falling into my lap), but this book definitely stands among the best.

If you are familiar with alpining and rock climbing stories, then you’ve most likely heard about Dyatlov Pass. It’s a damn modern ghost story that backpackers and alpiners alike spook themselves with sitting at a campfire. In almost any backwoods or alpining survival-story you read, the Dyatlov incident is just always on the periphery. In Soviet Russia, in the 50s, 9 HIGHLY QUALIFIED hikers set out to try a new route in the Ural Mountains, they were eventually found miles from their slashed tent, frozen to death in various states of undress, shoeless, spread in clusters apart from one another, three with grievous impact injuries suffered prior to death, and a later autopsy revealed, some with high levels of radiation. What could have possibly driven 9 professional hikers from their tent in the middle of the night without their winter gear and shoes when temperatures were around -30 degrees F? Theories have since abounded, as at the time the case was closed as “unknown compelling force”, was it mountain gnomes or a yeti? An ancient curse? Was it the local indigenous tribe? Was it the military covering up something the hikers shouldn’t have seen? Did it have to do with the strange bright lights dashing across the sky and reported by local herdsmen and other climbers? Nothing made sense- there were no signs of an avalanche, it couldn’t have been winds as the tent stayed in place, and what’s more, it had been slashed from the inside, yet there were no signs of a struggle or of alcohol or drug abuse.

To his credit, Eichar pursues this story through all avenues, dispelling internet rumors and misunderstandings about the name of the mountain- which is named Dead Mountain as an indication by local indigenous people’s to the lack of game and vegetation rather than their belief that the mountain is cursed in any way, to visiting NOAA to inquire about weather phenomenon in the region. This is the definitive English-language book on the subject, and Eichar’s findings leave you with the satisfied feeling of a case solved, and a story well-told.

Note: The audiobook was so-so. The narrator was very slow and there was almost no intonation in his reading, every sentence had a very predictable up then down cadence that could leave one feeling bored. Not to mention, how are you going to know how to spell any of the Russian names if you don’t actually see them in print.
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Dec 29, 2014 Noeleen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I had never heard of the Dyatlov Pass Incident before and it was only through another Goodreads friend that I even came across this book, thanks Dem! What a great first read of 2015 to get the New Year off to a fabulous reading start, a five star read!

I decided not to buy the kindle version of the book as I knew it contained a lot of photographs, so I ended up buying it for my Ipad which displayed the photographs excellently. I would suggest that if you are considering reading this book you buy ...more

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Jun 28, 2018 Heather *Awkward Queen and Unicorn Twin* rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, interesting, non-fiction

I don't normally bust through non-fiction so quickly, but I liked this so much I ended up reading it in less than 24 hours. I did have some trouble keeping the Russian names straight, but this problem was minor overall. The topic was really interesting to me, and I was super satisfied with the theory the author presented at the end after eliminating the other possibilities. Recommended!

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Aug 09, 2015 David rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Soviet hikers, obsessed American journalists, conspiracy theorists

Shelves: audiobook, non-fiction, russia, mystery, survival

The Dyatlov Pass Incident has all the ingredients necessary for a creepy, enduring mystery: back in 1959, nine Russian college students went for a hike in the Urals, an inhospitable, avalanche-prone region, and never returned. Search parties eventually found their bodies, scattered, unclothed, with body parts missing, their tent mysteriously torn open. Add in the predictable Soviet cover-up, unnatural radiation levels found in the bodies, and UFO sightings, and it's a virtual buffet for conspira The Dyatlov Pass Incident has all the ingredients necessary for a creepy, enduring mystery: back in 1959, nine Russian college students went for a hike in the Urals, an inhospitable, avalanche-prone region, and never returned. Search parties eventually found their bodies, scattered, unclothed, with body parts missing, their tent mysteriously torn open. Add in the predictable Soviet cover-up, unnatural radiation levels found in the bodies, and UFO sightings, and it's a virtual buffet for conspiracy theorists. Exactly what happened to the hikers has never been determined.

Donnie Eichar, an American journalist who came across the old story by chance, exhausted much of his funds traveling to Russia, interviewing family members, trying to track down the last survivor of the hiking party, and retracing their steps, while trying to solve a mystery that's gone unsolved for over half a century. Understandably, the Russians he spoke to were skeptical, wondering why an American cared so much about something that happened in the Soviet Union before he was born, how much money he was making for this book, and what he was going to discover that Russian authorities never did.

It turns out that most of the more lurid details (such as one hiker's missing tongue, and the knife slashes in their tent) have fairly mundane explanations. But none proven. Russians to this day have plenty of theories about what happened, ranging from a sudden windstorm or avalanche to a bear attack, or one of the party going mad and attacking the others in a psychotic fit, and of course the most popular, that they witnessed a classified missile launch or some other weapons test and were killed by security forces.

That's even without exploring the sort of theories that would appeal to the fantasists among us. Seriously, nine hikers found mysteriously dead in the mountains just begs for some Lovecraftian explanation. Eichar's description of the region makes it easy to imagine all sorts of inhuman things lurking in the crevices and the snow, waiting for hapless humans to stumble upon them.

Unfortunately for the fantasy-minded, Eichar summarily dismisses aliens or any other supernatural explanation, and unfortunately for those who love a good, creepy mystery, Eichar's narration is comprehensive but flat, with chapters spent going over the biographies and personalities of each dead hiker, then the physical evidence, his own experiences as he researched their story, and finally, his presentation of the most plausible theory.

It's a bit of a let-down, although even the most plausible theory is still just a theory. So maybe it really was those giants that Hagrid met. ...more

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Dec 01, 2014 Ellen Gail rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, to-review

Reminder to self: self, write a proper review for this. Twas a damn good book.

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Aug 23, 2013 MountainShelby rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads

Received through GR First Reads. I haven't been this wrapped up in a survival story since reading Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster years ago. I knew a little about the 1959 tragedy of the 9 "hikers" (translation aside, "expeditioners" is more accurate), mostly through the online videos and websites touting various theories, many of which are steeped in Cold War-era conspiracy theories and even alien intervention. This book retraces their fateful journey, interwoven w Received through GR First Reads. I haven't been this wrapped up in a survival story since reading Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster years ago. I knew a little about the 1959 tragedy of the 9 "hikers" (translation aside, "expeditioners" is more accurate), mostly through the online videos and websites touting various theories, many of which are steeped in Cold War-era conspiracy theories and even alien intervention. This book retraces their fateful journey, interwoven with the author's own efforts, some of which were quite impressive, to determine what really happened in February 1959.

The narrative really hooks you--fast. It certainly hooked me. Given the amount of information available from myriad sources, the text could have completely bogged down in weighty matters such as Soviet-era politics, communism, bureaucracy, geographical details, the education system, etc. But thankfully it's not. There's enough information (and great photos, well planned) to provide the reader a fairly robust context, without overwhelming the reader and undermining the pace of the book. There's enough information on the author to appreciate the sacrifices he made to bring this book to life, without transforming the story of the hikers into the story of himself (thank you). Finally, the book succeeds at making the reader feel a genuine attachment to these young people without the text ever becoming melodramatic or maudlin. (I appreciate the decision not to include some of the more grisly photos that are apparently in the public domain.)

Which brings me to what really made this book such a highlight--this isn't just a book about a group of students who sadly lost their lives under weird circumstances. It's a book about a band of truly remarkable people. They weren't a group of kids on spring break packing booze and drugs, out for a few days of partying and carrying on far away from prying eyes. This was a group of highly intelligent, determined, gifted young people, fellow students and members of a hiking group on an expedition to achieve a highly-coveted hiking rating. They chronicled their journey, took notes, kept a diary, and took photographs. They all pitched in to work, the men and women sharing equally in the team effort. In an age without cell phones, sexting, and twerking, they wrote poems and songs, sang (one brought his mandolin), and told stories for entertainment. And while there were likely crushes amongst the 7 men and 2 women (and tiffs, favorites, all the normal behaviors), there wasn't by any account anything sordid between them. Maybe it's just me, but this is what made the book so riveting--these highly accomplished young people had so much promise as future engineers and scientists. They had so much life, so much true friendship, great teamwork, spirit, determination, and so much laughter. Only to have it horribly snuffed out.

Whatever it was that brought their end (I find the author's theory highly plausible and worthy of further scientific inquiry), must have been a compelling force of the most terrifying magnitude. For these 9 level headed, tough, determined young people to do what they did . . . what absolute terror they must have experienced. I still shiver at the thought. Chapter 28, in which the author attempts to recreate their final hours, is especially touching without being overly sentimental. I'll just leave it at that.

I hope this book reaches the widespread market it deserves--not only for readers of outdoor nonfiction/survival stories, but high school and college students, scouts, and youth groups. The story of the Dyatlov Pass incident isn't just a story of human tragedy--it's a story of the human spirit. Highly recommended. ...more

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Dec 02, 2014 Ruth Turner rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

Trying to write about, and solve, a 50-year-old mystery that occurred in a foreign country must have been a daunting task, but the author has done a brilliant job.

The book is well written, and the subject well researched, which makes it a compelling read.

Included are photographs taken by the hikers themselves, and also the rescuers which made the story so much more real.

I wasn’t particularly interested in the author’s 2012 journey to retrace the steps of the hikers, and I skimmed parts of it.

I a ...more

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Nov 19, 2016 Myrna rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-ebook

I picked this book up without reading the title properly. I thought I was going to read about the Donner Party but no it was about a different tragedy, the Dyatlov Pass Incident. I've never heard of this catastrophe - nine Russian skiers died in terrible and strange circumstances in 1959. Needles to say, there are countless of conspiracy theories out there and the author, Eichar, did address quite a few. In Eichar’s investigation, he used diaries, interviews, government reports, and photos to de ...more

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Sep 17, 2017 Paul rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Fascinating, well written (and it read like a novel), and ultimately satisfying (as in I got the answers I wanted!!!).

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Jul 27, 2015 Daphne rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own-audio

Super creepy story. I admit that I learned about this incidence first from the rather wonderfully horrible movie called Devil's Pass on Netfix.

After that movie, I went through the dark places of the internet to explore the topic. The pictures you can find on there are not for the faint of heart. There are many images available of the dead hikers after they were found and their autopsies. It's fascinating and disquieting.

I then found this book, and decided to give it a try. I went with the 3 sta ...more

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Nov 11, 2016 Gina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, goodreads-2016

This was a very interesting story. I was engaged in all the characters. This was a smooth and very informative read. I loved learning about the ways of the times in Russia in 1959. This author's writing was very detailed and made me feel as though I was there with them. It was clear that he had done extensive research and actually took the very steps of the 9 students. An excellent writer and great book.

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Jun 11, 2018 Nick T. Borrelli rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

You want something really awesome to read that is nonfiction? Run, run, run, to wherever your preferred place of purchasing books is and buy this immediately. It's a short read (only about 288 pages) and you'll probably gobble it up in a couple of sittings like I did. Just an amazing investigation of the legendary Dyatlov incident where nine very experienced Russian skiers/hikers were found dead almost a mile from their camp, some with extremely brutal wounds that have yet to be explained to thi ...more

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Underground Knowl...: The Dyatlov Pass Incident (Unsolved Russian Mystery)	27	269	Feb 08, 2019 09:23AM
Play Book Tag: Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar - 4 stars	4	13	May 31, 2018 12:57PM
Play Book Tag: Dead Mountain/Eichar - 4 stars	3	15	Feb 10, 2018 07:09PM
Around the Year i...: Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar	1	10	Aug 02, 2017 03:14PM
What do you think happened?	6	110	Feb 02, 2017 09:36AM

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About Donnie Eichar

Donnie Eichar

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Author Donne Eichar is an acclaimed director, producer and writer of film and television.

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“only a few hours and was now struggling to stay alert on this first day of our trip. I left my companions for a moment to explore the station. Fifty-three winters ago, the Dyatlov hikers had nearly missed their evening train leaving” — 4 likes

“Siberia,” historically, has been less a geographical designation than a state of mind, a looming threat—the frozen hell on earth to which czarist and Communist Russias sent their political undesirables. By this definition, Siberia is not so much a place as it is a hardship to endure, and perhaps that’s what Vladimir means when he says that we are in Siberia. I trudge on.” — 3 likes

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