Dyatlov Pass · Whoever Cut the Tent Open from Inside

In 1959 nine skiers spent the night on the northern slope of the Ural Mountains, and all of them died: the tent was cut open from the inside, the group ran barefoot into snow more than twenty degrees below zero, some had fractured skulls and chests, some were missing their tongues and eyes, and radioactivity was found on their clothing.

The Soviet investigation closed the case as “a powerful unknown natural force”, and the files were sealed. In the decades since, more than a hundred explanations have appeared: an avalanche, a military test, a yeti, a missile.

The pass is called Dyatlov Pass now. Those who have been there say it is quiet — quiet in a way that does not seem like a mountain.

Historical Mysteries / The Urals · Russia / 1959