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Dead Mountain

The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident

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Dead Mountain

By: Donnie Eichar
Narrated by: Donnie Eichar
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About this listen

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. 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.

©2013 Donnie Eichar (P)2014 Audible, Inc.
Expeditions & Discoveries Historical Russia Hiking Outdoor Nonfiction Historical Nonfiction
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Editor reviews

Editors Select, March 2014 - Full disclosure: I've been obsessed with the story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident – the name given to the mysterious unsolved deaths of nine young experienced hikers in the Russian Ural mountains in 1959 - since I first heard the story a few years back. Filmmaker-turned-author Donnie Eichar seems to share my enthusiasm, because after years of researching the case, he emptied his savings and traveled to Russia on a mission to recreate the hikers’ journey and uncover the truth behind their deaths. Although this was a familiar story to me, I was completely absorbed by Eichar’s retelling. He weaves his own journey seamlessly in with a retelling of the hikers’ story (which he recreates through their photos and journal entries), along with a detailed breakdown of the investigation following their disappearance. And as a documentary filmmaker, Eichar makes sure he has his timelines and sources straight throughout the book. Above all, I was most impressed by how Eichar treated the Dylatlov Pass Incident as so much more than a creepy tale. He manages to bring a deep human quality to the story, along with immense reverence for the fallen hikers (tone that comes through in his careful narration). I came away from this book feeling as if I had known each one of them - and longing for some closure more than ever before. I won't spoil the outcome of his investigation, but I think it's safe to say that anyone who is interested in this story - or real-life mysteries in general - will be left with plenty to ponder. —Sam, Audible Editor

What listeners say about Dead Mountain

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good - certainly worth a guess!!!

Pretty intriguing really that someone might come up with an “infra-sound” conclusion. The book is good. The story about 9 missing “experienced” hikers in the Ural mountains of Russia back in the 50’s and during the cold war is something that I knew nothing about, but the title was enough to make me want to read on. And I am glad I did, because I enjoyed the book and the theories that the author came up with. Not only that, I am pretty convinced that the conclusions are very feasible and very probable. I could not think why – well, kids basically would be the target of any covert, cold war conspiracy, despite the story told within the pages which is laced with coincidences, bad luck and the harshness of mother nature. The only thing that spoilt the story (but only a little) was the author’s self-indulgence and although it is clear that he did make some great personal sacrifices to come to a good conclusion, I see how this could lead the reader/listener to conclude the story a bit unbelievable. I happen to think that it is far more likely than they were all done away with, i.e., followed on a dangerous mission by Soviet soldiers, spies, misfits (who!!!) to be viciously battered to near death for absolutely no reason whatsoever! Anyhow, the reader/author does a nice job of delivering the story and comes up with a damned good conclusion – good for him. Good story, I would recommend it.

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4 people found this helpful

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Brilliant!

I was a bit put off by the delivery at first, but I got used to it and in the end it seemed quite appropriate for the matter in hand. I've listened to several books about the Dyatlov mystery but this is by far the best. It is thoroughly researched, well-told and debunks many of the earlier theories. The conclusion the author reaches is logical and the best most compelling yet. Very much recommended.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Dull Narration

Interesting tale, well written but Donnie Eichar is a far better writer than narrator. His narration managed to suck much of the drama from his account of his exploration of the mystery surrounding the deaths of nine experienced hikers.

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With Putin in we will never know

Think the monotone delivery is easy to listen to and matches the story well. Plus it’s nice for the author to actually convey his words

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Absolutely beautifully written and read😢💔

This was outstanding. The work put in must have been a HUGE amount. You can tell so easily that this was a very special tragic event to you. You done a wonderful job bringing so much life to all of the hiker’s♥️ You told their last night so beautifully with so much compassion but also i really believe you have worked out exactly what tragedy happened to them. You thought of every detail that i would have never even given a thought to, like because of the winds they could not hear each other. You narrated the entire story so beautifully. This book will stay in my mind and heart for a very long time. Thank you so much for the years of work this must have taken, you have for sure, settled my mind about what could have possibly happened this tragic night so long ago in 1959💔
Thank you again 🙏🏽♥️♥️ I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book!
R I P Brave Grade 3 Hiker’s ♥️ I am SO devastated this happened to you all 😢💔 ♥️♥️♥️

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Haunting and beautifully written.

The author has a rare talent. This book is a combination of obsession, passion, and scientific investigation, combined with a wonderful ability to describe everyone involved. The hikers, investigative team, family and others feel familiar, such is Donnie's care in writing about them, as well as all incidents, both 1959 and 2012 related. This book will stay in my mind for some time, and I'll re read it, something I rarely do. An awful tragedy, beautifully written.

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  • Overall
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Excellent

This is a very well presented and detailed story detailing the Dyatlov Pass incident. The evidence provided and the authors conclusions are really interesting.

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Odd but enthralling

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Donnie Eicher must be very odd: he knew almost nothing about Russia or the Soviet Union but became obsessed with the death of group of students in Siberia in the 1950s.

Overall, it works. He does a good job of telling a very mysterious story. He's not the first non-Russian author to have looked at it and his solution is far less definitive than he would have you believe. But he tells the story well and he even does a decent job of narrating.

I'm just glad I'm not his long-suffering wife

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Interesting, if a bit short

I'd been quite interested in this whole myth, legend, whatever you want to call it, for a while now. For those that don't know, basically a group of pretty experienced and competent hikers went out climbing near Siberia and didn't return. They were found in various states of undress, all dead, having left their tent in a hurry. But why?
Well, this book aims to explain it.
The narrator is quite good, although his voice can be a bit droning and ultimately it's a short book. That said, the main revelation, the reason why we're listening to this, could fit in half an hour so the other 6 hours is basically the author's tale of his journey retracing the hikers' steps.
And it's an interesting one, well told, really taking you along on the snowy ride with him.
His theory for what happened to the group makes perfect sense to me - better than UFO's or Yetis or KGB agents in my opinion. When you put yourself in their position and listen to what he thinks happened it really does seem like he's figured it out.

I managed to listen to this whole thing in one day, so that tells you two things: 1) it's short and 2) it's compelling listening.

Recommended!

Steven A. McKay, author of "Wolf's Head".

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Oh dear!

This story, interesting though it is and fairly well written, is delivered in a manner which is so un-engaging that it was often difficult to hang on.
The author should have stood down and allowed a professional narrator to deliver the text.
It’s clearly not his finest forte.

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