The group's tomb at the Mikhailovskoe Cemetery

The Dyatlov Pass Incident - Part 1

The Russian government has decided to open a new investigation into the deaths of the nine who perished in 1959.

There are so many rumors and theories out there that even more confusion muddies the ground. Let's take a look at the things that are more certain.

Plans began to be finalized for the trip in late January, 1959. There was a total of 10 students and former students from the Ural Polytechnic Institute. Eight men and two women were going; they were led by Igor Dyatlov. (The pass was named for him after the tragedy.) The goal of the group was to ski across country for 14 days with the mountain Otorten as their destination. All members of the team were experienced in long ski trips and mountain expeditions. At this time of the season, the route they were going was classified as a probable "Category III", which was the most difficult.