Dyatlov Pass Mystery NOT A Cold Case
Henning Kuersten
Publisher : 1STEIN Publishing (February 24, 2021)
Language : English
Paperback : 216 pages
ISBN-10 : 3000682899
ISBN-13 : 978-3000682896
Item Weight : 1.34 pounds
Dimensions : 8.27 x 0.51 x 11.69 inches
On 1. February 1959, a group of nine experienced hikers perished in -30° under mysterious, gruesome circumstances in the Ural mountain range, on the slope of Mount Kholat Syakhl, also referred to as "Dead Mountain" or "1079". Three weeks after the incident, their abandoned but strangely intact tent was found, slashed open from the inside. The student hikers fled without proper clothing and boots to a ravine at the base of the mountain, where it seems they didn't die from hypothermia alone, but from traumatic violent injuries and burns. Strange last photographs taken by the hikers and high levels of radiation found on some of their clothes have led to decades of speculation over what really happened.
The Dyatlov Pass mystery is one of the most perplexing mysteries in the international history of mountaineering, and probably the most controversial forensic crime case in Russia. But was it murder, KGB conspiracy, a rocket accident coverup or some unknown natural or supernatural force, like the "Gods in Shining Garments" which the local Mansi hunters mention, or the "fireballs" chief inspector Ivanov believed in up to his death? Are there undervalued or misunderstood eye witnesses of the tragedy, or has anyone even had a similar close encounter since, on that mysterious mountain of fire & ice, where compasses deviate more than 30°?
This gripping nonfiction documentary discusses and debunks multiple existing theories with the help of professional image analysis, rare video footage, eyewitness reports, previously misinterpreted evidence and Occam-style common sense.
Through the help of science, the author unravels the secrets behind the fateful journey to that deadly mountain in the freezing Russian winter, and for the first time ties together all seemingly contradicting puzzle pieces into a big picture. Extensively illustrated with visual material, ranging from recovered film frames to newest amateur footage, the book leads the reader to the spectacular solution of the mystery. Which turns out to be surprisingly close to the initial official conclusion of "unknown compelling force", but far from the better-than-nothing avalanche theory, which has seen a prominent renaissance after the 2020 Russian reopening of the case.
The author Henning Kuersten studied Computer & Information science at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and Psychology at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada. He is owner of a company specialized in software for image analysis. He is also a dedicated mountaineer who has survived a horrific incident on the 4049 meter high Piz Bernina, which, together with his professional experience in Photography and Psychology, has helped him to understand the fate of the Dyatlov group.
I received a copy of this book from Henning Kuersten
Review: Dyatlov Pass Mystery NOT A Cold Case by Henning Kuersten
I received this historical thriller from Henning Kuersten. He opens this story with a quote from Neil Armstrong and dedicates it to the nine scientists who perished in uncertain circumstances on what became known as Dyatlov Pass.
On Jan 23, 1959, 8 males and 2 females ages 20 to 37 began their journey, a category lll, with Otorten their goal - a mountain 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) north of the site where the incident occurred.
On January 27, they began their trek. One male turned back due to illness and the remaining nine went on. It's presumed they lost their direction due to what appeared to be decreased visibility and they set up a camp on a slope - diaries, and cameras the hikers had were used to track their last days.
Interlaced in this extraordinarily compelling story of history, science, and politics are numerous case studies and the author's theories and analysis.