The Mysterious Loose Ends of Dyatlov Pass

This is Part III of our series on the Dyatlov Pass Incident.

When Igor Dyatlov and his eight companions failed to check in at the end of their expedition to Mt. Otorten, a massive search effort was organized to rescue the missing hikers. That search ended in tragedy, with the bodies of all nine members of the Dyatlov group found along the slopes of Kholat Syakhl, a mountain in the Urals known to the locals as "Dead Peak". While the autopsies determined causes of death rather easily, a number of questions remained in the aftermath. Many injuries could not be explained, leading sleuths to question the manner of death. How did this group of experienced, healthy, and well prepared hikers find themselves in this position, and what led them to make the decisions they did? Why did the number of axes found not match those listed on plans? How did they cut branches from trees with no knife? Who was the author of the "Unknown ?Diary", and who took photos for the "Unknown Film"? Was there an intervening party? A missile test gone awry? Welcome back to The Lore Lodge...

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0:00:00 - Cold Open
0:00:22 - Introduction
0:02:05 - The Hikers
0:11:17 - The Expedition
0:12:30 - The Tragedy
0:14:43 - The Mansi
0:28:19 - The Yeti
0:36:58 - The Cameras
0:45:57 - Who Was Semyon Zolotaryov?
0:59:20 - The Other Loose Ends
1:04:46 - Conclusions

[michaelaustin]

The veteran sleeping in his clothes could just be a habit from WW2. It was a pretty common practice during the war.

[Lilu]

as a russian-speaking person i’ve seen a LOT of stuff on Dyatlov’s Pass topic but you might be the first one to mention more specific details on Zolotaryov background. For example the difference in his salary is definitely interesting. Even though i don’t think that the soviets would hire someone with such “unreliable” background for some sort of secret mission, but it’s still something to think about.

(unrelated, but my personal go to theory for the explanation is that the entire incident is a military cover-up of some sort. there is a very interesting documentary on this by a russian youtuber «Дима Масленников» (idk maybe there are english subtitles on his video), where he personally travelled to the Dyatlov Pass, examined the original diaries and police files in person and many other things. (also i’d be glad to help with the russian-english translation if you’ll ever need one)

and as always thank you for the great video😌

[virginicaanderson]

I cannot stay away from the Dyatlov pass programs.

[fullonsociopath]

"Do you ever sleep?"
"No whey, man."

[billxam]

Perhaps seeing as this was the USSR, Zolotaryov could have been the government representative to make sure that the group did what they said they were going to do and not do non-state approved shenanigans.
The reason he would have his camera on him late at night is because film base will freeze and the sprocket holes will strip. I had an assignment to take Christmas photos of a 1800s mansion in Ypsilanti, Michigan in winter. I had the camera on the tripod between shots and (of course) the film froze so I couldn't even rewind the film and had to bag it so I could reload.

[nostalgiccameralife]

So, the infamous Frame 34. Here's what that is: an exposure was made while the lens was collapsed. I had to look up what camera and lens was used to be sure of it. The Industar lens used at that time was "collapsible" that is, it could be pushed down, and into the camera body to make it smaller when not in use. Of course when this is done, you cannot take an in-focus picture, because the lens is too near the film. That's why nothing on Frame 34 is in focus. Additionally, you can see the vignetting caused by the lens being collapsed, the image area is rounded because the lens cannot cover (project) the full frame when in its collapsed position. The shape of the aperture is also visible. The Industar lens has eight aperture blades, which created the octagonal shape in the center of that frame. As for who pressed the button, and when? No way of knowing, but whoever it was they were either unintentionally doing it, or in any event had not planned to take a picture, as the lens had not been pulled out.

[CM-juti]

I actually enjoyed that comedy bit about Yuri. Your video/editor friend you work with is becoming far more relaxed on camera. Love the content. Fan for a while now.

[InsanityPlusOne]

"we have a lotta time and no intention of letting mysteries be"
I suppose that is a good sign for modern quality of life

[robgrey]

I've camped on the Pitchstone Plateau in Yellowstone, at -60 F. I am trying to imagine a circumstance that would compel me to leave my tent in my underwear.
I'm here to tell you that, if you meet somebody out in the middle of nowhere in that kind of cold, you're not thinking about viol*nce. The cold is the en*my, not other people.

[DeliveryMcGee]

When Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812, it was the Patriotic War; when Angry Lesser Moustache invaded Russia, it was the Great Patriotic War because it was bigger. It's a creative interpretation of "the defensive war" or "the war on our own territory".

[jeezycreezy]

I wonder if Zolotaryov may have had his camera on him that night because it was an expensive piece of equipment and he just wanted to keep it close?

[waymire]

A very simple explanation for the camera. At that time a camera was an expensive luxury item, probably even more so in that area of the world where luxury items were even harder to come by. He didn't really know these kids and kept his precious personal item close, probably keeping it around his neck all the time as a matter of habit.

[Tallen]

I recently watched "The Red Thread" episode about this in addition to your previous videos. After seeing a diagram of the bodies in the gulch, my strongest theory is the shelter was on snow or ice probably, so instead of a 6 foot drop onto rocks imagine a 9-12+ foot drop onto jagged rocks, while already being pretty beaten and cold. Then the last guy comes up on the scene, everyone else is dead or dying. He's already freezing to death so grabs his friend for any bit of warmth he can get and gives up.

[AJOlaks]

LETS GO PART 3

I love it when Aidan gives me follow up videos to correct things and add on things
helps give me the most accurate info possible

[Adamrpg]

I'm so glad you decided to fill the silent intermissions with a sound. It keeps me from thinking my sound/internet stopped working every few minutes.

[alligatorwithwifi]

Been binge watching your videos for 3 days now. My dog got hit in front of me tuesday morning and I sprained my knee when carrying him so i've been doing alot of nothing which is driving me insane. Your videos have helped alot, from humor to realism that helped me kinda realize life goes on without Pete, bear chaser and expert on raccoon/squirrel warfare. For an Appalachian Mountain Feist, he was absolutely fearless. Don't think i'll ever have or see another dog like him lol.

[isqueakifyousqueeze]

My theory is that a military group stumbled across them and told them they couldn't be there. It explains how, although they left in a bit of a hurry, they weren't fleeing in panic and had time to at least lightly get dressed, and depart in an orderly fashion. They then went to the tree line where Doroshenko and krivonishenko attempted to climb a tree in hopes of spotting a better place to take shelter. The group then stayed at the cedar until both those men froze to death (possibly kolevatov froze there as well and his body was moved after but I'm not quite sure). At that point the group split with Dyaltov, Kolmogorova, and slobodin all decided to make for the tent, either to gather supplies or try and reason with the group that drove them out. Things didn't go well and they ended up having to fight the military group. This explains why all three had injuries consistent with a fist fight, and why Slobodin had a fatal trauma wound to the back of his head and seemed to die in a position that looked like he had been trying to run away. After the altercation the military likely decided they couldn't leave witnesses, tracked down the other group, killed them, and then threw their bodies further down the ravine. Hell, even the lights on the damaged film shots on zolotaryovs camera could've been pictures of a flashlight coming through the woods. Maybe he thought to grab his camera before they were driven out because he wanted to get pictures of the military group that was doing this. I'm still a bit stumped on his and dubininas intense crush wounds. Perhaps the group that killed them used rocks or large clubs? I'm this is all slot of speculation on my part but I think this theory makes the most sense.

[grrfy]

the small amount of radiation detected was from the thorium mantles used in the gas lamps some of which (spares as they are delicate)were found in their pockets/belongings, crushed, this IS the nail in the coffin of any nefarious reason for the radiation readings.

[olga]

I've watched a video on a Polish channel a while ago and they have talked a lot about the work that some of those hikers were doing in the field of nuclear science. Apparently, they could have been in possession of classified info on ongoing nuclear projects. Since they were very young and intelligent but struggling financially and just starting their careers, they could have been suspected of spying. There is a theory that they were supposed to meet someone on that hike in a remote location to pass the info. Maybe it's worth looking into... Great video! It's so interesting that after all of those years following this case, I still see new theories and facts being discussed. 🙌

[pieterlafrasgrobler]

Hi Aidan. Would love it if you can do a video about the Khamar Daban Incident. Eerily similar to the Dyatlov Pass Incident. But just more horrific