Journey to Dyatlov Pass: An Explanation of the Mystery

by Keith McCloskey

This book describes the author’s journey to the Dyatlov Pass in the northern Ural Mountains in the company of Russian Dyatlov “Obsessives”. It is also a book for people who already know the Dyatlov story. The physical locations relating to the Dyatlov Incident are examined and discussed as well as competing theories from some of the group members about what happened. The second part of the book takes a critical look at the autopsies. This is followed by an intensive look at some ground-breaking research on the Dyatlov negatives by Valentin Gerasimovich Yakimenko. The final part of the book discusses the statements made by the two senior figures in the investigation and finishes with a scenario as to what may have happened on that fateful night of 1/2 February 1959.

Genres: Nonfiction, Russia, Mystery, History

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent exposé on a very difficult subject. My highest rating goes to the open-mindedness of every aspect of Keith McCloskey's investigations. Do not bypass any chapter, if your mind is capable of being open to any possibility. The author does not offer a final resolution, so don't go into this book expecting an 'a-ha' result. He clearly explains that a resolution to the mystery is not known, nor may it ever be known. What he does do extremely well is offer a multitude of possibilities, as best he can, relying on what information he has gathered either first-hand or via other methods, acknowledges each for what they are worth to the reader, and in virtually every instance explains the pluses and minuses of each. That is the most appropriate way to write an exposé on an incident which seems to have no logical explanation. Not once does he infer that this or that was what definitely caused the mysterious deaths in 1959. Hence the title of the book is apt, although perhaps somewhat misleading for those expecting a lone 'explanation'. He constantly keeps an open mind, as should the reader. That is key.

I'll point out that I have done a great deal of other reading and research into the Dyatlov Pass incident over the past decade or so. I like the way this author presents the facts, the sources, the lack of both, and I have hope that the research does continue, and perhaps Mr. McCloskey will be forthcoming with further speculations. Neither he nor anyone else has publicly satisfied the mystery. Let us continue to learn, and perhaps one day a satisfactorily undisputed explanation will be put forward. Personally, I find that an unlikely occurrence.

[Taksya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secondo libro di Keith McCloskey a tema Dyatlov (il primo, Mountain of the Dead: The Dyatlov Pass Incident devo ancora leggerlo), più incentrato sulla sua escursione sui luoghi della tragedia che non sul racconto della stessa.
Rispetto a Donnie Eichar, altro autore che ha descritto il pellegrinaggio ai piedi del monte Otorten, McCloskey è meno protagonista, racconta dei suoi compagni di viaggio e introduce le varie teorie. Il viaggio, fatto in estate, è difficoltoso comunque e la zona risulta un crocevia di viaggiatori, diretti su vari sentieri. Riesce a spostare l'attenzione sul luogo e non su se stesso, come l'altro autore, cosa che ha reso la lettura molto più gradevole.
La descrizione dell'incidente è sommaria, credo vi si dia più spazio nel primo libro. Qui si punta l'attenzione sulla teoria delle manovre militari e/o esperimento andato male, con successivo complotto e tentativo di insabbiamento.
Le foto dei globi luminosi fotografati dai ragazzi sono analizzate con attenzione, stessa cosa per le autopsie (ma senza le foto). Le incongruenze sui rapporti ufficiali e le dichiarazioni, a decine d'anni di distanza, di due degli ufficiali addetti all'indagine vengono analizzate, sempre seguendo la teoria dell'insabbiamento.
Leggendo il tutto la cosa sembra avere senso, ma ci sono alcuni dettagli che non tornano comunque... soprattutto la fatuca per mascherare l'incidente e spargere in giro informazioni che deviassero l'attenzione, quando potevano semplicemente far sparire tutti... cosa molto più facile, visto l'isolamento della zona.
La notizia più interessante viene dal sito dell'autore, dedicato all'incidente e con foto della spedizione, con la notizia della riapertura delle indagini.

[Beeje · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book on this subject after stumbling across the event referenced elsewhere. I should've read some of the other works, including this author's previous book, first. Nonetheless I have come nowhere near to leaning toward one theory over others and am keen to read more on the subject. I'd be very interested to find a book that discusses what the 9 victims' families think happened.

Having said that, I did enjoy this book but found it rather repetitive. It seemed to rehash the same information throughout, although some of that is due to the 3-part format of the book. It might've been shorter without so much repetition, but as it was I read it in less than a day because it is a gripping story. Coincidentally I happened to come across it in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the event and the news that the investigation is to be reopened.

This tragedy doesn't have quite the grip on me that the Franklin Expedition and the Titanic have had over the years, but I do find it fascinating and may become more obsessed as I keep reading. A bonus was finding this on Kindle Unlimited, so no charge, and I've just downloaded 3 more books on the topic also free.

[Russell Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly interesting speculation regarding the deaths of nine hikers of college age in the northern Urals.
This book, typical of speculative reporting, does not reach any definitive answers as to what caused the deaths but explores various hypotheses.

[Bruce Brownlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Historical Mystery

A real life mystery in the 1950’s. 9 university students ski to a wilderness mountain, see something very strange in the sky, and run away in fear, only to perish by hypothermia. What made them run?

[Jessica Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Open minded overview of the Dyatlov Pass incident and the various theories surrounding it. The narrative is pushed along by an account of the author's trip to the pass itself, written in a very accessible style, which helps the reader get a grip on the distances and context involved.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Wonderful insight to one of the most puzzling mysteries in history.
Highly recommended for both beginner and seasoned researcher into the Dyatlov Pass mystery.

[Tsuhonets · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author already explored several highly compelling theories in his previous book 'Mountain of the Dead', but the 2016 research by his friend Valentin Yakimenko, as presented here, has at least in my eyes conclusively solved the case.

[Jim Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling story

The author does a great job of exploring theories and detailing what evidence is available. Great read on a topic I know little about.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting examination of the hiker's photos.