The Fireball Above Dead Mountain

Name: The Fireball Above Dead Mountain
Genre: Documentary

An undefined natural force, strange lights and decades of competing theories keep the case alive until prosecutors reopen it.

This episode needs All Access, from $4.99 a week.

Transcript

A bright expanding spot crossed the mountains with a smaller star inside.
It lasted just over a minute, then disappeared behind a mountain forest.
The incident occurred on Kholat Syakhl, where Igor Dyatlov led the group.
Their expedition held the Soviet Union’s highest available difficulty rating.
On January 28th, 1959, Yuri Yudin turned back sick.
The hikers established camp on the eastern slopes of Kholat Syakhl.
In the tent, a plate of sliced salo appeared prepared for supper.
Then the tent was cut open from inside, recording three knife-made damages.
Student volunteer Mikhail Sharavin uncovered the tent with an ice pick. A flask was found inside the tent.
Outside, eight or nine tracks descended—socks, one boot, nearly bare feet.
There was no struggle at the tent, and investigators found no one else nearby.
The Soviet investigation blamed a compelling natural force.
Six victims died from hypothermia; three suffered fatal physical trauma.
Sometimes, the evidence leaves a wound without leaving an answer.
The witness said the object moved northeast to southwest across the sky.
By 2019, prosecutors acknowledged 75 versions, immediately rejecting crime.
Renewed review focused on avalanche, snow slab, and hurricane-force snowstorm.
Later researchers argued a small slab avalanche could leave few traces on a gentle slope.

From avalanche, snow slab and hurricane-force snowstorm, the renewed investigation was about to choose one explanation for the night.

All Access is $4.99 a week, $14.99 a month or $39.99 a year. The annual plan starts with three days free.

Renews until you cancel. Terms · Privacy