The Dyatlov Pass incident has remained one of Russia's most enduring mysteries for decades. Until 2020, the official explanation for what happened to the nine hikers who perished in February 1959 was simply described as an "overwhelming force which the hikers were not able to overcome." This vague conclusion left room for countless theories, from the plausible to the paranormal, with over 75 different explanations emerging over the years.

In 2018, the Russian government reopened the investigation, nearly six decades after the tragedy occurred. Interestingly, while the investigation aimed to determine a definitive cause, it focused exclusively on natural phenomena, deliberately excluding both paranormal theories and potential criminal explanations. Media involvement played a significant role in renewing interest in the case, particularly regarding the identity of Semyon Zolotaryov, whose exhumed remains sparked controversy when initial DNA testing failed to match his relatives, though subsequent testing by renowned geneticist Pavel Ivanov confirmed a 99.66% probability of relation.

Key Takeaways

The Dyatlov Pass incident remained officially unexplained for over six decades until a new investigation was launched in 2018.
The reopened investigation focused exclusively on natural causes while deliberately excluding both paranormal theories and potential human involvement.
Media interest and controversy surrounding victim identities, particularly Semyon Zolotaryov, contributed significantly to renewed official attention to the case.

Understanding the Dyatlov Pass Incident

Why Viewing Part One Is Essential

The first installment of this series provides crucial foundation for understanding the Dyatlov Pass case. It explains the initial circumstances and sets up the context necessary for comprehending where the investigation stands today. Viewers who skip directly to this section will miss important background information that explains how researchers and officials arrived at current theories about the incident.

The Incident Overview

The Dyatlov Pass Incident remained officially unexplained for over six decades, from 1959 until 2020. During this time, the only official explanation was that the hikers encountered an "overwhelming force which the hikers were not able to overcome." This vague conclusion left room for approximately 75 different theories to develop over the years.

In 2018, the Russian government reopened the investigation with the stated goal of identifying a single explanation among the many theories. Interestingly, this investigation focused exclusively on natural phenomena, deliberately excluding both paranormal explanations and potential criminal activity. This selective approach raised questions, particularly since investigators simultaneously attempted to determine whether the bodies had been manipulated after death.

The timing of this reinvestigation—nearly 60 years after the incident—also sparked curiosity. Officials claimed they wanted to prevent similar occurrences in the future, with lead prosecutor Andre Kuryakov stating: "If we say what happened, it will be possible to correct the rules of behavior on such trips."

Media interest likely influenced the decision to reopen the case. One Russian company had petitioned to exhume the remains of Semyon Zolotaryov in April 2018, as questions persisted about his identity. Initial DNA testing conducted by geneticist Alexi Garokovenko suggested the remains did not match Zolotaryov's living relatives, but a second test by Pavel Ivanov contradicted this finding, indicating a 99.66% probability that the remains belonged to either Zolotaryov or his brother.

The Avalanche theory has become central to discussions about the Dyatlov Pass incident since 2020, representing a significant shift from decades of uncertainty toward a more definitive explanation based on natural causes.

The Avalanche Hypothesis Development (2020-Present)

Prior to 2020, the Dyatlov Pass incident remained officially classified as a mysterious event caused by an "overwhelming force" that the hikers couldn't withstand. However, significant developments have occurred in recent years that focused investigations specifically on natural explanations.

Natural Phenomena as Primary Focus

In 2018, the Russian government initiated a new investigation into the 1959 Dyatlov Pass incident with the declared intention of narrowing down the 75+ existing theories to a single conclusive explanation. This investigation specifically limited its scope to natural phenomena, deliberately excluding paranormal theories like UFOs and cryptids that had gained popularity in some circles.

The investigation team stated their goal was preventing similar tragedies by understanding what truly happened. Lead prosecutor Andre Kuryakov emphasized that determining the actual cause would allow authorities to "correct the rules of behavior on such trips" to prevent future incidents.

Excluding Human Interference Theories

Interestingly, the 2018 investigation explicitly omitted criminal explanations from consideration. While the dismissal of paranormal theories seems logical for a government inquiry, the complete exclusion of potential human involvement raises questions.

The original 1959 investigation had considered but dismissed theories involving escaped prisoners. However, the 2018 investigation chose not to revisit any theories involving human perpetrators or interference.

Government Investigation Paradox:

Only natural phenomena considered as possible explanations
Human involvement theories completely excluded
Yet investigators examined whether bodies were "staged" after death

This approach creates a somewhat contradictory framework—examining if humans manipulated evidence while simultaneously ruling out human involvement in the deaths themselves.

Medical Evidence Reassessment

The renewed investigation aimed to explain the non-hypothermia injuries found on several group members—injuries that had fueled decades of speculation. These included:

Crushed chest cavities
Cranial injuries
Missing soft tissue

DNA testing also played a role in the investigation. In 2018, Semyon Zolotaryov's remains were exhumed at the request of media interests. Initial genetic testing by Alexei Garokovenko suggested the remains didn't match Zolotaryov's living relatives, creating new mysteries. However, subsequent testing by Pavel Ivanov contradicted these findings, establishing a 99.66% probability the remains belonged to either Zolotaryov or his brother.

The timing of this renewed investigation—nearly 60 years after the incident—raises questions about motivation. While officially framed as an attempt to prevent similar tragedies, the coincidental timing with increased media interest and the DNA testing controversy suggests outside pressures may have influenced the decision to reopen the case.

Russian Government's Fresh Examination of the Case

In 2018, nearly six decades after the Dyatlov Pass incident, Russian authorities launched a new investigation into the mysterious deaths that had remained officially unexplained since 1959. This renewed inquiry came at a time when public interest in the case had significantly increased due to media attention and several independent investigations.

Investigation Objectives and Scope

The 2018 investigation established specific parameters from the outset. Officials announced their intention to identify a single conclusive explanation from among the 75 theories that had circulated about the incident. Notably, the investigation focused exclusively on natural phenomena as possible causes.

The investigative team deliberately excluded certain categories of explanations:

Eliminated from consideration:
- Paranormal explanations (UFOs, cryptids)
- Criminal activity or human involvement
- Military testing scenarios

This narrow focus raised questions among observers, as it predetermined that only environmental factors would be considered as viable explanations. The decision to exclude human involvement seemed particularly puzzling given that criminal theories had been considered, though ultimately rejected, in the original 1959 investigation.

Evidence Review of Corpse Positioning and Traumatic Injuries

Investigators paid special attention to the positioning of the hikers' bodies. They sought to determine whether the corpses had been manipulated after death—beyond the already confirmed movements of Krivonischenko and Doroshenko's bodies.

The examination included:

Analysis of body positions in relation to the tent and each other
Review of post-mortem reports and original photographs
Assessment of unusual trauma patterns found on several victims

The team specifically focused on explaining the severe non-hypothermia injuries found on multiple group members. These injuries had long been one of the most perplexing aspects of the case, with some victims showing extreme trauma that seemed inconsistent with hypothermia or simple falls.

Timing and Motivation for Reopening the Case

The timing of this renewed investigation raised eyebrows among observers. Why did authorities wait until 2018—59 years after the incident and decades after the fall of the Soviet Union—to reexamine this cold case?

The official explanation provided by lead prosecutor Andrey Kuryakov stated: "Until we reach a conclusion, such circumstances could be repeated. If we say what happened, it will be possible to correct the rules of behavior on such trips."

This justification seemed tenuous considering the considerable time elapsed. More immediate triggers for the investigation appeared to be:

Media pressure following the 2018 exhumation of Zolotaryov's remains
Conflicting DNA results that temporarily cast doubt on victim identification
Renewed public interest in the case through documentaries and publications

The decision to limit investigation scope to natural phenomena while simultaneously examining potential human interference with the bodies created an apparent contradiction that wasn't fully addressed by officials during the investigation's announcement.

Media's Involvement and Zolotaryov Body Examination

Russian Media's Influence

The reopening of the Dyatlov Pass investigation in 2018 came nearly six decades after the 1959 incident, raising questions about the timing. While the Russian government claimed they wanted to prevent similar tragedies by determining a definitive cause, media pressure likely played a significant role in this decision. One Russian media company was particularly influential, successfully petitioning for the exhumation of Semyon Zolotaryov's remains in April 2018. This media-driven examination aimed to address long-standing questions about the identity of one of the victims.

The 2018 investigation notably focused exclusively on natural phenomena as potential explanations. Authorities explicitly excluded both paranormal theories and, more surprisingly, potential criminal causes from consideration. Despite this narrow focus on natural events, investigators still sought to determine whether the bodies had been manipulated after death, creating an interesting contradiction in their approach.

DNA Testing Controversy

The exhumation of Zolotaryov's body stemmed from persistent rumors that the man identified as Semyon Zolotaryov was actually an impostor. These suspicions were partly based on unrecognized tattoos found on his body. While his family didn't recognize these markings, this could be explained by the fact that Zolotaryov had been separated from them for some time before his death.

The initial DNA testing yielded controversial results:

DNA Test Results Conclusion First Test (Alexi Garokovenko) No match with Zolotaryov's living relatives Second Test (Pavel Ivanov) 99.66% probability of being Zolotaryov or his brother

The contradictory test results only deepened the mystery. Geneticist Alexi Garokovenko declared with certainty that the exhumed remains couldn't possibly belong to Zolotaryov. However, respected Russian genetics expert Pavel Ivanov conducted a second examination that completely contradicted the first, indicating a 99.66% probability that the remains belonged to either Zolotaryov or his brother.

Rumors surrounding Zolotaryov included speculation that he had defected to Germany during World War II because he "wasn't vibing with Communism" and had disappeared afterward, possibly assuming a false identity.

Nikolay Zolotaryov's Background and Identity Questions

Nikolay Zolotaryov's identity became a central mystery within the broader Dyatlov Pass investigation. Significant questions emerged about whether the body identified as Zolotaryov was truly him. This controversy gained momentum after his remains were exhumed on April 12, 2018, as part of renewed interest in the case.

The initial DNA testing conducted on the exhumed remains produced surprising results. When compared with samples from Zolotaryov's niece and nephew, the mitochondrial DNA appeared to show no match. Geneticist Alexy Garokovenko declared with certainty that the body recovered from the expedition could not have been Zolotaryov.

This shocking conclusion prompted authorities to seek a second opinion. Pavel Ivanov, a prominent figure in Russian genetics, subsequently conducted another analysis. His findings contradicted the initial test, determining a 99.66% probability that the remains belonged to either Zolotaryov himself or his brother. This high probability largely settled the immediate question of identity but left lingering doubts in some circles.

Rumors of Disaffection and Defection

Stories regarding Zolotaryov's past circulated widely in discussions about his true identity. Perhaps the most persistent rumor suggested that Zolotaryov had become disillusioned with the Soviet system during World War II. According to these unverified claims, he allegedly defected to the German side during the conflict and subsequently disappeared.

This defection theory gained traction partly because of unusual tattoos found on his body that his family reportedly did not recognize. However, several alternative explanations exist:

Limited family contact: Zolotaryov had not lived near his family for some time before his death
Timing of tattoos: He might have acquired them during or after military service
Recognition issues: Family members may simply not have seen these body markings previously

The renewed investigation in 2018 occurred six decades after the incident, raising questions about why Russian authorities would revisit the case after so much time had passed. While officials cited prevention of similar tragedies as their motivation, the timing coincided with heightened media interest following the controversial DNA testing and exhumation of Zolotaryov's remains.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident: Mystery Solved? What Really Happened in 1959