Dyatlov Pass Incident Was Caused by an Avalanche

When nine hikers were found dead under unknown circumstances on the slopes of Kholat Syakhl, many conspiracy theories sprouted up. Some involved the KGB, a secret weapons test, and even a Yeti.

In 2019 the case was reopened and a new investigation concluded that the experienced hikers died due to an avalanche. Their camp was made on a snow shelf that caused snow to crash down on them. Those that survived were unable to reach any equipment or get evacuated so they died of hypothermia.

This best explains what happened, but it’s fun to think about the other theories.

Read Mechanisms of slab avalanche release and impact in the Dyatlov Pass incident in 1959.

See also: