Dyatlov Pass incident

1959NotableContested

Nine Soviet ski hikers die in the northern Urals after cutting out of their tent. Russian prosecutors and later modelers point to a slab avalanche.

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Contested history

Consensus: In February 1959 nine Soviet hikers died after cutting their way out of their tent on Kholat Syakhl in the northern Urals.

A delayed slab avalanche forced them outEstablished

A 2019 Russian reinvestigation concluded this, and 2021 modeling in Communications Earth & Environment showed how a small slab could cause their injuries.

Katabatic wind or infrasound caused panicMinority view

Strong downslope winds are plausible, but this does not explain the chest and skull injuries.

A secret military test killed themUnsupported

No records or physical traces of a weapons test have been found.

Attack by local Mansi people, animals or aliensDebunked

Investigators found no signs of other people at the site, and the injuries do not fit animal attack.