Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Chronicle Books (2013), 288 pages
Description
History. Nonfiction. HTML:A New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller � What happened that night on Dead Mountain? The mystery of Dead Mountain: In February 1959, a group of nine experienced hikers in the Russian Ural Mountains died mysteriously on an elevation known as Dead Mountain. Eerie aspects of the incident�unexplained violent injuries, signs that they cut open and fled the tent without proper clothing or shoes, a strange final photograph taken by one of the hikers, and elevated levels of radiation found on some of their clothes�have led to decades of speculation over what really happened. As gripping and bizarre as Hunt for the Skin Walker: This New York Times bestseller, Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident, is a gripping work of literary nonfiction that delves into the mystery of Dead Mountain through unprecedented access to the hikers' own journals and photographs, rarely seen government records, dozens of interviews, and the author's retracing of the hikers' fateful journey in the Russian winter. You'll love this real-life tale: Dead Mountain is a fascinating portrait of young adventurers in the Soviet era, and a skillful interweaving of the hikers' narrative, the investigators' efforts, and the author's investigations. Here for the first time is the real story of what happened that night on Dead Mountain..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member mamzel
The author wrote this book as an exploration into why and how a group of hardy, experienced, young hikers mysteriously lost their life in January of 1959. Students of the Ural Polytechnic Institute, they leave for a challenging hike in the Ural Mountains to qualify for their Level 3 hiker's
Eichar studied all the available reports and then went to Russia to meet with the sole survivor (who abandoned the hike because of health issues) and actually experience the same type of conditions they did by following in their footsteps. Many theories abounded - from armed escaped prisoners to wild animals to aliens - but the truth is less than fantastical and can be explained by science. It is no less impressive, however.
I really didn't need to be reminded why I have never attempted such rugged and uncomfortable hiking experiences. It's a nice tribute that this book was written to honor those students.
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certificate. When they didn't return search parties went out and found their bodies in various locations, all without shoes and leathally underdressed for the sub-zero temperatures.Eichar studied all the available reports and then went to Russia to meet with the sole survivor (who abandoned the hike because of health issues) and actually experience the same type of conditions they did by following in their footsteps. Many theories abounded - from armed escaped prisoners to wild animals to aliens - but the truth is less than fantastical and can be explained by science. It is no less impressive, however.
I really didn't need to be reminded why I have never attempted such rugged and uncomfortable hiking experiences. It's a nice tribute that this book was written to honor those students.
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LibraryThing member justagirlwithabook
I really enjoyed this one! I really like survivalist non-fiction literature, and I stumbled upon this recently when looking into Everest and K2 non-fiction texts. This one struck me as interesting right off the bat because this storyline has been so shrouded in mystery. I reminded me of the Titanic
So why did I give it a 4 and not a 5? There were some lolling moments for me here and there, when I was needed a bit more action to perk me up, and it just wasn't happening. That is no fault of the author's, and we can't go back and recreate history to make it more 'exciting' for us when we want it to be. So my rating is not based necessarily off of the author's abilities to write or the story in and of itself (both of which are fantastic), but the fact that I personally had moments where, as I read, I told myself to "focus, perk up, have another cup of coffee so you can get to the good stuff!"
Great read! Would recommend it to anyone who likes survivalist types of books, fiction or otherwise, enjoys unsolved mysteries, or likes the outdoors and enjoys hearing about others pushing themselves to their limits!
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event but a mountaineering expedition. The crazy thing about the Titanic situation is that SO many things can be explained now, in the 21st century. Why did the lookouts not see the iceberg until it was RIGHT THERE!? Well, there's a scientific explanation for that. This true story is very comparable to that situation and just as fatal (though without the staggeringly high numbers). Donnie Eichar weaves his narrative storyline with the original one as he follows the original path and interviews experts. The most interesting pieces come together at the end. I was left 100% convinced that "THAT" was what happened that day (the "that" you'll have to find out for yourself). I was really happy that, as real life would have it, Donnie and his small team were able to come up with a legitimate solution to the problem that was this mystery. By the time I got to the end, I felt like there was closure and I was satisfied. In other words, thankfully, this is not a non-fiction mystery story where you don't ever end up finding out 'who dun it,' and I was very grateful for that.So why did I give it a 4 and not a 5? There were some lolling moments for me here and there, when I was needed a bit more action to perk me up, and it just wasn't happening. That is no fault of the author's, and we can't go back and recreate history to make it more 'exciting' for us when we want it to be. So my rating is not based necessarily off of the author's abilities to write or the story in and of itself (both of which are fantastic), but the fact that I personally had moments where, as I read, I told myself to "focus, perk up, have another cup of coffee so you can get to the good stuff!"
Great read! Would recommend it to anyone who likes survivalist types of books, fiction or otherwise, enjoys unsolved mysteries, or likes the outdoors and enjoys hearing about others pushing themselves to their limits!
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LibraryThing member jan.fleming
In February 1959, a group of nine experienced hikers in the Russian Ural Mountains died mysteriously on an elevation known as Dead Mountain. Eerie aspects of the incident—unexplained violent injuries, signs that they cut open and fled the tent without proper clothing or shoes, a strange final
This gripping work of literary nonfiction delves into the mystery through unprecedented access to the hikers' own journals and photographs, rarely seen government records, dozens of interviews, and the author's retracing of the hikers' fateful journey in the Russian winter.
A fascinating portrait of the young hikers in the Soviet era, and a skillful interweaving of the hikers narrative, the investigators' efforts, and the author's investigations, here for the first time is the real story of what happened that night on Dead Mountain.
Trailer
This great unsolved incident took place deep in Soviet Russia in 1959 is told in a three stranded story: the author's investigation; the rescue operation and the hikers tale.
This was a fascinating and interesting read; not just because of incident itself but of coverage of the culture and ordinary life in Russia during the Soviet era. Full marks for extensive research and portraying so vividly the young hikers who lost their lives.
The incident at Dyaltov Pass has many theories ranging from the wildly improbable to the almost plausible and this author's conclusion is the best I have come across.
Excellent book
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photograph taken by one of the hikers, and elevated levels of radiation found on some of their clothes—have led to decades of speculation over what really happened. This gripping work of literary nonfiction delves into the mystery through unprecedented access to the hikers' own journals and photographs, rarely seen government records, dozens of interviews, and the author's retracing of the hikers' fateful journey in the Russian winter.
A fascinating portrait of the young hikers in the Soviet era, and a skillful interweaving of the hikers narrative, the investigators' efforts, and the author's investigations, here for the first time is the real story of what happened that night on Dead Mountain.
Trailer
This great unsolved incident took place deep in Soviet Russia in 1959 is told in a three stranded story: the author's investigation; the rescue operation and the hikers tale.
This was a fascinating and interesting read; not just because of incident itself but of coverage of the culture and ordinary life in Russia during the Soviet era. Full marks for extensive research and portraying so vividly the young hikers who lost their lives.
The incident at Dyaltov Pass has many theories ranging from the wildly improbable to the almost plausible and this author's conclusion is the best I have come across.
Excellent book
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LibraryThing member memccauley6
This reads exactly like a high school term paper where the student pads the story with tons of extraneous detail to meet the page count requirement
LibraryThing member LibraryCin
3.75 stars
Nine Russian hikers disappeared in February 1959 while hiking in the Ural Mountains in Siberia. When they were found, their tent was all set up nicely, though it had a few rips, and their bodies were a ways from the tent. The oddest part was that they were in various states of (un)dress
The book was told in three different “parts” - the hikers (almost all in their early 20s), based on photos and diaries; the searchers, only a month to three months following the hikers’ disappearance; and the author’s trek to Russia to see what he could find out (including a trip to the place they disappeared, and interviews with a tenth hiker (in his 70s when the author met him), who had had to turn back early due to health issues).
I was particularly interested in the parts from the ‘50s. The author’s story, I didn’t find quite as interesting, until he came closer to the end where he ruled out many theories (and, of course, explained why he ruled them out), and put forth a scientific theory as to what may have caused the hikers to retreat from their tent, to ultimately succumb to the elements. There were plenty of photos included, as well.
Nine Russian hikers disappeared in February 1959 while hiking in the Ural Mountains in Siberia. When they were found, their tent was all set up nicely, though it had a few rips, and their bodies were a ways from the tent. The oddest part was that they were in various states of (un)dress
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and not one of them was wearing their boots. This was in very cold -- far below freezing -- weather. The American author heard of the mystery and was interested in trying to figure out what happened. The book was told in three different “parts” - the hikers (almost all in their early 20s), based on photos and diaries; the searchers, only a month to three months following the hikers’ disappearance; and the author’s trek to Russia to see what he could find out (including a trip to the place they disappeared, and interviews with a tenth hiker (in his 70s when the author met him), who had had to turn back early due to health issues).
I was particularly interested in the parts from the ‘50s. The author’s story, I didn’t find quite as interesting, until he came closer to the end where he ruled out many theories (and, of course, explained why he ruled them out), and put forth a scientific theory as to what may have caused the hikers to retreat from their tent, to ultimately succumb to the elements. There were plenty of photos included, as well.
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LibraryThing member Coach_of_Alva
During the night of 1959 February 1-2, nine experienced young hikers who had encamped on a remote mountain in the Urals left their tent in such a hurry that they were half clothed. None of them made it back alive, six of them dying from hypothermia, three from injuries sustained in falling down a
Donnie Eichar is an American documentary filmmaker who recently became fascinated by the case. He tells two narratives in parallel chapters. In one, he gives a fairly straight narrative of the hikers' last trek up to the day of the catastrophe, followed by the story of the recovery operation and the official investigation. He can do the former fairly accurately because the hikers documented their activities in a group diary and in photographs. They were hoping to become certified as Grade III hikers and needed to prove to the certification committee that they had not only made the hike but made it in the approved manner. Eichar quotes from the diaries and more poignantly reproduces many of the photographs. They looked like good kids. What happened to them was so sad.
Eichar describes in the second narrative his own investigations, which included traveling to Russia, meeting with local experts, meeting with surviving relatives, and, best of all, interviewing the tenth hiker, the young man who turned back just before the others entered the wilderness. He persuades three Russian enthusiasts of the case to take him to the site of the tragedy. In the process, he creates the material for a decent travel account, which he provides.
Of course no reader, including me, expects him to do all this research and not offer his own conjecture at to what happened. He dismisses the popular theories: an attack by the local indigenous people, an avalanche, high winds, armed intruders, and effects from weapons testing. He doesn't waste time on UFOs and Yetis. He finally gets an idea from a popular physics magazine and, impressively, gets a renowned expert on the phenomena to agree with him. The "unknown compelling force" was "infrasound generated by [a] Kármán vortex street." Huh? The high wind around a dome shape projection on the mountain created a sonic effect that had a devastating impact on the human brain. It has not only been created artificially but it has been observed in nature. The kids never had a chance.
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ravine. The mystery, of course, is why they fled from warm safety to cold death. There were no obvious reasons. The Soviet prosecutor who investigated the case memorably concluded that "an unknown compelling force should be considered the cause of the hikers' deaths."Donnie Eichar is an American documentary filmmaker who recently became fascinated by the case. He tells two narratives in parallel chapters. In one, he gives a fairly straight narrative of the hikers' last trek up to the day of the catastrophe, followed by the story of the recovery operation and the official investigation. He can do the former fairly accurately because the hikers documented their activities in a group diary and in photographs. They were hoping to become certified as Grade III hikers and needed to prove to the certification committee that they had not only made the hike but made it in the approved manner. Eichar quotes from the diaries and more poignantly reproduces many of the photographs. They looked like good kids. What happened to them was so sad.
Eichar describes in the second narrative his own investigations, which included traveling to Russia, meeting with local experts, meeting with surviving relatives, and, best of all, interviewing the tenth hiker, the young man who turned back just before the others entered the wilderness. He persuades three Russian enthusiasts of the case to take him to the site of the tragedy. In the process, he creates the material for a decent travel account, which he provides.
Of course no reader, including me, expects him to do all this research and not offer his own conjecture at to what happened. He dismisses the popular theories: an attack by the local indigenous people, an avalanche, high winds, armed intruders, and effects from weapons testing. He doesn't waste time on UFOs and Yetis. He finally gets an idea from a popular physics magazine and, impressively, gets a renowned expert on the phenomena to agree with him. The "unknown compelling force" was "infrasound generated by [a] Kármán vortex street." Huh? The high wind around a dome shape projection on the mountain created a sonic effect that had a devastating impact on the human brain. It has not only been created artificially but it has been observed in nature. The kids never had a chance.
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LibraryThing member mjspear
Investigates the mysterious death of nine experienced Russian youth on a skiing expedition in the Ural Mountains in 1959. The 9 college students were healthy and prepared and yet they were found,dead, outside of their tent, without coats and shoes (!), some with severe injuries. Theories and
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conspiracies abound: animal attack? UFOs? Soviet weaponry gone awry? The author travels to Russia twice and meets locals who were tangentially involved in the incident. He travels their route and gives a detailed recounting of the means and the locations (including a chilling "panic" attack while in a claustrophobic truck cab.) He shares and quotes the plethora of photographs and diaries left behind. Finally, after much research and consideration, he presents a most plausible resolution to how/why these young people died. No spoilers here! A great wilderness survival who-done-it and a fascinating look at 1950s Russia. Show Less
LibraryThing member t1bnotown
This book is about not only the mystery of the Dyatlov Pass, but also the author's journey to investigate it. The book read fast- there's a big mystery and I really wanted to know the answer, but I admit I wasn't as interested in the author's investigation. He journeys to Russia twice and spends
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quite a bit of time with artifacts and interviews, and going into Russia is kind of interesting, but mostly I wanted an answer. The story of what happened to the hikers (not only that night, but the entire trip) is explained in depth, and that was what I wanted to know. In the end he proposes a really plausible theory on what happened and why the hikers ran out of their tent half dressed. The only mystery left is whether the author did lose toes trying to solve the mystery, which he said he was afraid was happening, but never assures the reader didn't happen. Show Less
LibraryThing member vanjr
An interesting story of a 1959 tragedy unknown to myself until I saw this book. It retails the story of 9 hikers and their mysterious demise. It was not a heavy read but more a fast paced "whodunit" type of book. I am not sure if the authors conclusions are right but it certainly expanded my
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knowledge of modern Russian history and culture. I recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member catzkc
Thoughtful, rational investigation into one creepy-ass episode of outdoor disasters.
LibraryThing member ErickaS
Highly recommended
I won't give a review of the events, as several reviewers have already done so, but I will tell you WHY you should read this book:
Donnie Eichar was relentless in his research, going so far as to re-trace the steps and stopovers of the 9 Dyatlov hikers. His biographical profiles of
This story is fascinating, and Eichar explored each possible explanation for the tragedy, finally honing in on the most probable. It was a captivating read from beginning to end.
I won't give a review of the events, as several reviewers have already done so, but I will tell you WHY you should read this book:
Donnie Eichar was relentless in his research, going so far as to re-trace the steps and stopovers of the 9 Dyatlov hikers. His biographical profiles of
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the hikers, as well inclusion and descriptions of the photographs found on the recovered camera, gave a real personal quality to each hiker of the group, and I came to care about each one of them as I got to know them. The author delved into the story as a whole, explaining Yekaterinburg/Soviet culture in the 1950s, the relationships among the hikers, and how the public and government reacted to the tragedy. The interviews, research, and persistence really paid off. Kudos, Mr. Eichar, for never giving up. This story is fascinating, and Eichar explored each possible explanation for the tragedy, finally honing in on the most probable. It was a captivating read from beginning to end.
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LibraryThing member ElleGato
This book was like, 30% interesting information, 20% atmosphere and cool science and 50% padding.
I understand, I mean the author is writing about a mystery we can never really solve; none of the Dyatlov hiking group survived so creating an exhaustive account of their disastrous last hike is pretty
But what I wish there'd been more of here was a wider context. Dyatlov and his hiking party were young adults at an incredibly important time in history; their lives were shaped by the thaw introduced by Khrushchev in the wake of Stalin's depth and I wish the author had included more historic details in discussing the hikers themselves and their environment. I recognize the author isn't an historian but I'm sure he could've found some to talk to. I think that context would've given the book more heft and made the hikers themselves feel more real.
But overall this was a good quick read about an infamous event that leads to a conclusion that makes much more sense than aliens or secret Russian weapons. If you like historical mysteries, I'd definitely recommend this.
I understand, I mean the author is writing about a mystery we can never really solve; none of the Dyatlov hiking group survived so creating an exhaustive account of their disastrous last hike is pretty
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much impossible. And I think the author's conclusions at the end are very logical and well-reasoned; I enjoyed how the author didn't descend into lurid conspiracy nonsense. But what I wish there'd been more of here was a wider context. Dyatlov and his hiking party were young adults at an incredibly important time in history; their lives were shaped by the thaw introduced by Khrushchev in the wake of Stalin's depth and I wish the author had included more historic details in discussing the hikers themselves and their environment. I recognize the author isn't an historian but I'm sure he could've found some to talk to. I think that context would've given the book more heft and made the hikers themselves feel more real.
But overall this was a good quick read about an infamous event that leads to a conclusion that makes much more sense than aliens or secret Russian weapons. If you like historical mysteries, I'd definitely recommend this.
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LibraryThing member aadyer
A brilliant retelling, analysis. & explanation of the events of the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Intriguing, well paced, descriptive & accessible, this tells the story of nine hikers who died mysteriously in the Urals Mountains in the late 1950's. Cold War conspiracies abounded around the time & since, &
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all these theories are addressed by the author, who is a natural story teller. A gripping narrative, portraying the hikers in a sympathetic light makes you as curious & and as passionate about their fate as the author is about telling the tale. Highly recommeded for the buff or even the casual reader. Show Less
LibraryThing member BrannonSG
What if a group of nine exceptionally skilled hikers roamed into a remote, brutally cold mountainous area, seeking adventure and recognition for the skills they have acquired, then all died without explanation? This is the puzzle awaiting readers of Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the
The story is told following two timelines: the original expedition, as told by those they travelled with, those they met along the way, their diaries and photographs; and, a modern investigation and retracing of their journey to see if the answer to their deaths might be discovered. Could the answer be Russian nuclear or weapons tests? Perhaps the Russian military reacted to the hikers stumbling onto a secret activity. What of escaped convicts or deadly predators of the naturally occurring kind? The book examines each of the prominent theories of the original investigators, modern sleuths and scientists.
Overall the twin tales unwind like a well conceived mystery, one, unfortunately, very real and deadly.
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Dyatlov Pass Incident.The story is told following two timelines: the original expedition, as told by those they travelled with, those they met along the way, their diaries and photographs; and, a modern investigation and retracing of their journey to see if the answer to their deaths might be discovered. Could the answer be Russian nuclear or weapons tests? Perhaps the Russian military reacted to the hikers stumbling onto a secret activity. What of escaped convicts or deadly predators of the naturally occurring kind? The book examines each of the prominent theories of the original investigators, modern sleuths and scientists.
Overall the twin tales unwind like a well conceived mystery, one, unfortunately, very real and deadly.
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LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
“... he cited the cause of the hikers’ deaths as ‘an unknown compelling force.’”
When I found out about this case, I was totally intrigued. This book was the first one I could dig up. Overall, it works - all the details are here, lots of pictures, and a clear list of evidence. But the
When I found out about this case, I was totally intrigued. This book was the first one I could dig up. Overall, it works - all the details are here, lots of pictures, and a clear list of evidence. But the
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ending isn't very good, and the chapters about the author were fairly boring. The case itself is compelling and baffling, and I wish there was an actual answer, and not the one quoted above. But also not the one the author gives. I still want to know, just what the heck happened to those 9 hikers? Show Less
LibraryThing member Daftboy1
This is a well written story of the tragic events that happened in February 1959 to the 9 young Hikers in the Russian Ural mountains.
Donnie does his research and concludes what the most obvious answer is what led to this tragic accident.
A natural wind phenomenon caused the hikers to get
Donnie does his research and concludes what the most obvious answer is what led to this tragic accident.
A natural wind phenomenon caused the hikers to get
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disoriented and they got lost from their tent and died. Show Less
LibraryThing member rmarcin
Incredible story of nine hikers who go missing in the Ural Mountains in Russia in February 1959. For decades, no one knew why the experienced hikers went missing, and were later found dead. The hikers were attempting to certify as Grade III hikers, and needed an endurance test for this
Many theories for their deaths were put forth, including radiation poisoning, attack by aliens, and an avalanche.
The author travels to Russia to find out what truly happened. He is able to speak with the tenth hiker, the only survivor of the group, who had to abandon the trip due to illness. Many people were suspicious as to why an American was showing such interest in this Russian tragedy, and this created some difficulty for the author.
The story is very compelling, and the final discovery of how the hikers died is fascinating, while tragic. I really liked the author’s style of storytelling, and all the photographs used to illustrate the fateful and fatal trip of the young hikers.
#DeadMountain #DonnieEicha
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certification. Many theories for their deaths were put forth, including radiation poisoning, attack by aliens, and an avalanche.
The author travels to Russia to find out what truly happened. He is able to speak with the tenth hiker, the only survivor of the group, who had to abandon the trip due to illness. Many people were suspicious as to why an American was showing such interest in this Russian tragedy, and this created some difficulty for the author.
The story is very compelling, and the final discovery of how the hikers died is fascinating, while tragic. I really liked the author’s style of storytelling, and all the photographs used to illustrate the fateful and fatal trip of the young hikers.
#DeadMountain #DonnieEicha
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LibraryThing member Castlelass
This book follows the author's attempt to figure out what happened to the 9 college students who did not return from a hiking trip in the Ural mountains in 1959. Unfortunately, they were later discovered about a mile from their tent, having perished from hypothermia and blunt force trauma. What
The book contains three alternating storylines: 1) the original hiking trip in 1959, 2) the recovery effort after the hikers did not return, and 3) the author's attempt to solve the mystery. I found it an effective and riveting account. Using educated guesses, diaries and weather reports, he reconstructs what may have happened. The only quibble I had with this book is that it could have gone into a bit more detail of why each hypothesis was eliminated, along with a bit more about why his ultimate resolution was best. Recommended to those interested in non-fiction, unsolved mysteries, the history of Soviet Russia, outdoor adventures, extremes of nature (especially extreme cold), and scientific phenomena.
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caused these experience hikers to abandon their tent at night in sub-zero temperatures and strong winds without their boots and other warm clothing? The author went to great lengths to answer this question, travelling to Russia multiple times, communicating through translators, seeking out relatives of the hikers, interviewing the one person that turned back prior to the tragedy, and piecing together a possible solution. I thought the author did a good job of describing the hikers' personalities and interests, which made me care even more about what happened to these young people. The book contains three alternating storylines: 1) the original hiking trip in 1959, 2) the recovery effort after the hikers did not return, and 3) the author's attempt to solve the mystery. I found it an effective and riveting account. Using educated guesses, diaries and weather reports, he reconstructs what may have happened. The only quibble I had with this book is that it could have gone into a bit more detail of why each hypothesis was eliminated, along with a bit more about why his ultimate resolution was best. Recommended to those interested in non-fiction, unsolved mysteries, the history of Soviet Russia, outdoor adventures, extremes of nature (especially extreme cold), and scientific phenomena.
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LibraryThing member tuusannuuska
I usually really enjoy books where the author delves into their obsession on a given topic in a compulsive way, but for one reason or another, this one didn't really resonate.
"What you're really trying to do is reverse-engineer a tragic event without any witnesses." But without any witnesses,
The topic itself is very interesting and the mystery a very baffling one (I'm even willing to buy into Eichar's conclusions for lack of a better alternative). I guess what was lacking for me, though, was the passion behind the research. This felt somehow very impersonal, despite the fact that half the book's focus was on Eichar's own experience.
This was by no means a bad book, though! I think it was simply a case of me having false expectations going in. By the end, I mostly felt melancholy for the nine students that ended up dying confused and afraid, no matter what the ultimate cause was.
"What you're really trying to do is reverse-engineer a tragic event without any witnesses." But without any witnesses,
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without my having been there on Holatchahl mountain on that night in February, there was no way for me - or anyone - to know with absolute certainty what sent the hikers fleeing from their tent.The topic itself is very interesting and the mystery a very baffling one (I'm even willing to buy into Eichar's conclusions for lack of a better alternative). I guess what was lacking for me, though, was the passion behind the research. This felt somehow very impersonal, despite the fact that half the book's focus was on Eichar's own experience.
This was by no means a bad book, though! I think it was simply a case of me having false expectations going in. By the end, I mostly felt melancholy for the nine students that ended up dying confused and afraid, no matter what the ultimate cause was.
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LibraryThing member CasSprout
Well-researched and interesting to read.
LibraryThing member japaul22
I seem to be going "every other" with liking books. This one didn't work for me. I thought I was going to read a mountaineering/exploration type book, which I tend to love. Instead this read more like true crime/unsolved mysteries.
The story is that a group of 9 young men and women in 1950s Soviet
What happened was never solved and an American writer decides to investigate. He goes to Russia several times to conduct interviews and retrace part of their route. The book became too much about him.
The book ends with the writer's version about what happened. I wasn't convinced at all.
Very unsatisfying. Also felt sort of voyeuristic and like it wasn't this random American's job to be investigating this.
The story is that a group of 9 young men and women in 1950s Soviet
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Union set out on a winter hiking trip into the Ural Mountains. They are experienced hikers trying for their Class 3 hiking certification - the highest level. They don't return on time and a rescue mission is sent out to look for them. What the rescue team finds is horrific. An empty tent with only the hikers' possessions - food in middle of being eaten, coats, boots, and 3 slashes in the back of the tent. They begin to find the bodies of the hikers in small groups, all over a mile from their tent. All deceased. All without boots/shoes. What happened was never solved and an American writer decides to investigate. He goes to Russia several times to conduct interviews and retrace part of their route. The book became too much about him.
The book ends with the writer's version about what happened. I wasn't convinced at all.
Very unsatisfying. Also felt sort of voyeuristic and like it wasn't this random American's job to be investigating this.
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LibraryThing member Danielle.Desrochers
I feel weird giving a non-fiction anything but a 5 star, but this was closer to a 4.
I really enjoyed the differing timelines, from what the author experienced to what happened back in 1959 was a great juxtaposition, I just wish there was a little more of a clear distinction between the two. Also,
It was very, very interesting though and obviously thoroughly investigated!
I really enjoyed the differing timelines, from what the author experienced to what happened back in 1959 was a great juxtaposition, I just wish there was a little more of a clear distinction between the two. Also,
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he established nicknames for most of the explorers, but then kept waffling on what he called them, which was confusing.It was very, very interesting though and obviously thoroughly investigated!
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LibraryThing member Bridgey
An evidence based imagining of the events that took place at the Dyatlov pass in 1959. Well researched and written, ideal for anyone with a passing interest of looking for a more indepth look. A group of young Russian hikers go on a camping excursion in the Russian bleak wilderness, none return
Personally I don't really agree with the conclusion the author came to, but I can always appreciate a well thought out and presented case, and that is exactly what we have here. Well researched and written, well worth a read.
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alive and the rescue party finds a camp full of devastation. There have been numerous theories put forward over the years but obviously no one knows for sure what really happened. The author follows in their footsteps, interviews family and friends and picks apart the main reasons that have been put forward.Personally I don't really agree with the conclusion the author came to, but I can always appreciate a well thought out and presented case, and that is exactly what we have here. Well researched and written, well worth a read.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar tells of the 1959 Russian student hiking expedition where all 9 participants lost their lives in an unexplained and brutal manner. Eichar took up his quest to find answers in 2009 and intensive research and two trips
The author is a film and TV director and producer. He came across the 50 year-old mystery of the Russian hikers and was so intrigued that he spent the next few years in following the information and in interviewing anyone who had a connection to the incident. The seven men and two women of the expedition were expert hikers, used to both the type of terrain and the fierce weather conditions that they found in the Ural Mountains. There were many theories swirling around including that of aliens, government conspiracy, escaped political prisoners and freak weather conditions that the author needed to explore and discard. But the fact remained that all nine hikers seemed to have left the tent in a frenzy that night and wandered off with no shoes and barely clothed in the sub-zero temperature.
I wasn’t expecting a lot from this book, but the author managed to totally intrigue me and I couldn’t put it down. The questions just seem to keep mounting and I believe the author did a thorough job of sorting though the information and not sensationalizing the events. This was an overwhelming tragedy at the time and even today stirs the emotions and baffles the mind.
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to Russia eventually gave him a working theory on what happened the night of February 1, 1959. Although his theory hasn’t been totally accepted, it does seem to have the ring of truth to it and certainly makes more sense than aliens or mass murder.The author is a film and TV director and producer. He came across the 50 year-old mystery of the Russian hikers and was so intrigued that he spent the next few years in following the information and in interviewing anyone who had a connection to the incident. The seven men and two women of the expedition were expert hikers, used to both the type of terrain and the fierce weather conditions that they found in the Ural Mountains. There were many theories swirling around including that of aliens, government conspiracy, escaped political prisoners and freak weather conditions that the author needed to explore and discard. But the fact remained that all nine hikers seemed to have left the tent in a frenzy that night and wandered off with no shoes and barely clothed in the sub-zero temperature.
I wasn’t expecting a lot from this book, but the author managed to totally intrigue me and I couldn’t put it down. The questions just seem to keep mounting and I believe the author did a thorough job of sorting though the information and not sensationalizing the events. This was an overwhelming tragedy at the time and even today stirs the emotions and baffles the mind.
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Original language
English
Original publication date
2013
Physical description
288 p.; 6.5 inches
ISBN
1452112746 / 9781452112749