07-28-2009, 09:14 PM
Their state of undress can be explained by paradoxical undressing, a known behavior of hypothermia victims when their brains start to freeze and malfunction. In other words, it's the kind of behavior you'd expect from a group of injured avalanche victims wandering around in the middle of the night in the freezing cold.
Searching for the remaining four travelers took more than two months. They were finally found on May 4, under four meters of snow, in a stream valley further into the wood from the pine tree.
There had initially been some speculation that the indigenous Mansi people may have attacked and murdered the group, for encroaching upon their lands.
It is true that her tongue and parts of her oral cavity were missing when she was discovered two months after the event. This aspect has led people to see a bizarre aspect to this incident that is wholly unjustified. The reality is that her tongue was not ripped out but was degraded though the activity of micro flora and fauna. We now know that this was fully acknowledged at the time
It is not true that the first bodies that were discovered had a significant orange discolouration. This is because they were found quite soon after the event took place.
The bodies discovered almost two months later did exhibit orange discolouration but this is normal and often experienced by rescue teams that have the unfortunate task of recovering such remains. This aspect of the story has been enhanced by the fact that some of the photographs taken at the time have degenerated and the “sepia” (orange) pigments in the images have become more evident.
How deep was the ravine in which the final four victims were found? Could a natural fall account for their injuries?
The short answer is the ravine was quite deep and the injuries could have easily been caused by the fall. The following is part of an e-mail from Dr. Vladimir B. (a member of the original rescue team) regarding this point:
“The slope of a ravine had a range of heights from 3 up to 5 m (10m or 17 ft) in the general area where the skiers were found. It had an incline or angle of approximately 30 to 40 degrees. The opposite slope of the ravine was flat. The width of the ravine was approximately 40 metres or 130ft. It is quite possible that the injuries recorded could have been sustained by a “sudden” fall – especially given the fact that these people would have been tired and have had limited visibility."
How is it that the bodies found two months later were under four foot of snow in the ravine but bodies higher up the slope were only under 1 – 1 ½ feet of snow?
According to the Professor N. Volodicheva of Moscow State University, during the months of February and March this part of the region experiences significant deposits of snow which are distributed by a combination of geography and wind factors. (Described above) In general, the principle is that more snow will accumulate at lower levels and usually in drifts. In particular, ravines and gullies will fill quite swiftly. This natural distribution fully explains why Igor Dyatlov was found under a foot of snow while Zinaida Kolmagorova, who was located higher up the slope, was only found covered by only half a foot of snow. It also explains why the searchers who discovered the remaining four bodies in the ravine had to dig though four metres of snow. Time and accumulation had created a significant build-up. (2 - 3 Months)
What are the details of the skull injury experienced by Nicolas Thibeaux-Brignollel? This information alone could go a very long way to solving the mystery. For example, is it an impact injury or a comprehensive pressure injury? Was there retinal detachment? Was he alive or dead when it happened?
This information was apparently very precisely recorded by the Judicial Doctor (Coroner) at the time. He recorded that such a head injury was most likely to have been caused by impact with a rock as a result of a fall from a height of 2 – 3 metres (6 to 10ft) but not more. The reason for this is that impacts of this kind only occur at a velocity of up to 7 – 8 Metres per second. Faster impact speeds generally cause a break (breach) at the apex or arch of the skull with little evident trauma to the base. In the case of Nicolas Thibeaux-Brignollel there was no apex related damage. In addition, the forensic evidence suggests that he was alive when he sustained the injury.
Is it true that the hair of the Individuals had all turned a strange silver colour?
No! This is pure nonsense. The report of the judicial Doctor (Coroner) actually records that the hair of the victims was all of natural colour.
Was the type of radiation mentioned in some accounts ever identified? Was it superficial or penetrative? What we mean by this is was it something they touched or did it permeate their bodies? The reason that this is important is that it distinguishes between recent weapon use and merely background exposure.
Again, the short answer is: The radiation was superficial and this fact has been known for some time. It is generally irresponsible journalism that has exaggerated the importance of this aspect of the Dyatlov Pass case.
“The radiation referred to has been identified as beta-radiation with the characteristics of isotope K-40. This is very weak contamination and certainly superficial.”
According to various experts the radiation was minor surface contamination and probably from Lyudmila Dubanina’s coat. It was probably from a laboratory environment (Radium, Radon and Potassium) and not from any recent weapons use. A point has been made that prior to the moratorium on atomic weapons testing a fair number of detonations had been carried out in Russia and in other parts of the world. Again, it was not uncommon that small amounts of “fall-out” might be spread far and wide.
Why did the Soviet Authorities deem this event important enough to classify this subject for 30 years? Have they fully released the file? Where can it be found?
The event was actually never classified – this is the typical exaggeration that can be found on certain sensationalist websites. Any papers that have disappeared are more likely the result of inefficiency or bureaucratic stupidity. Without saying who we’ve worked for in the past we can assure you that this happens all the time!
We can speculate all we want but WE don't know what really happened.
From the answers that we have now received to our initial questions we have discovered that much of the apparent “bizarreness” surrounding this mystery is actually misinformation or exaggeration.
Dubanina’s tongue was not ripped out it was degraded through natural processes
The radiation found was inconsequential.
The area was not sealed off to everyone – only amateur sports groups
The case was never classified
There are currently no records of any experimental aircraft being tested in the area in 1959
There is no evidence (now or then) that the area was used to test weapons. However, this doesn’t rule out secret testing
Photographs thought to be missile parts have turned out to be old radar units
The mysterious envelope contained only general correspondence
Photographs show that any discolouration of the bodies was wholly normal
The woman on the train who claimed there were eleven people has turned out to be a very unreliable witness (and a different person altogether).
The injuries discovered are explainable and consistent with those that might be expected to occur in a group of desperate and clearly frightened people that had been stumbling around in dangerous conditions in the dark.
Ok so now we have a more accurate report instead of all the guesses. So we can see how an urban legend is formed. The stories gather MIS-INFORMATION and people add to it as its told. With accurate data collecting we can see its very explainable.
Searching for the remaining four travelers took more than two months. They were finally found on May 4, under four meters of snow, in a stream valley further into the wood from the pine tree.
There had initially been some speculation that the indigenous Mansi people may have attacked and murdered the group, for encroaching upon their lands.
It is true that her tongue and parts of her oral cavity were missing when she was discovered two months after the event. This aspect has led people to see a bizarre aspect to this incident that is wholly unjustified. The reality is that her tongue was not ripped out but was degraded though the activity of micro flora and fauna. We now know that this was fully acknowledged at the time
It is not true that the first bodies that were discovered had a significant orange discolouration. This is because they were found quite soon after the event took place.
The bodies discovered almost two months later did exhibit orange discolouration but this is normal and often experienced by rescue teams that have the unfortunate task of recovering such remains. This aspect of the story has been enhanced by the fact that some of the photographs taken at the time have degenerated and the “sepia” (orange) pigments in the images have become more evident.
How deep was the ravine in which the final four victims were found? Could a natural fall account for their injuries?
The short answer is the ravine was quite deep and the injuries could have easily been caused by the fall. The following is part of an e-mail from Dr. Vladimir B. (a member of the original rescue team) regarding this point:
“The slope of a ravine had a range of heights from 3 up to 5 m (10m or 17 ft) in the general area where the skiers were found. It had an incline or angle of approximately 30 to 40 degrees. The opposite slope of the ravine was flat. The width of the ravine was approximately 40 metres or 130ft. It is quite possible that the injuries recorded could have been sustained by a “sudden” fall – especially given the fact that these people would have been tired and have had limited visibility."
How is it that the bodies found two months later were under four foot of snow in the ravine but bodies higher up the slope were only under 1 – 1 ½ feet of snow?
According to the Professor N. Volodicheva of Moscow State University, during the months of February and March this part of the region experiences significant deposits of snow which are distributed by a combination of geography and wind factors. (Described above) In general, the principle is that more snow will accumulate at lower levels and usually in drifts. In particular, ravines and gullies will fill quite swiftly. This natural distribution fully explains why Igor Dyatlov was found under a foot of snow while Zinaida Kolmagorova, who was located higher up the slope, was only found covered by only half a foot of snow. It also explains why the searchers who discovered the remaining four bodies in the ravine had to dig though four metres of snow. Time and accumulation had created a significant build-up. (2 - 3 Months)
What are the details of the skull injury experienced by Nicolas Thibeaux-Brignollel? This information alone could go a very long way to solving the mystery. For example, is it an impact injury or a comprehensive pressure injury? Was there retinal detachment? Was he alive or dead when it happened?
This information was apparently very precisely recorded by the Judicial Doctor (Coroner) at the time. He recorded that such a head injury was most likely to have been caused by impact with a rock as a result of a fall from a height of 2 – 3 metres (6 to 10ft) but not more. The reason for this is that impacts of this kind only occur at a velocity of up to 7 – 8 Metres per second. Faster impact speeds generally cause a break (breach) at the apex or arch of the skull with little evident trauma to the base. In the case of Nicolas Thibeaux-Brignollel there was no apex related damage. In addition, the forensic evidence suggests that he was alive when he sustained the injury.
Is it true that the hair of the Individuals had all turned a strange silver colour?
No! This is pure nonsense. The report of the judicial Doctor (Coroner) actually records that the hair of the victims was all of natural colour.
Was the type of radiation mentioned in some accounts ever identified? Was it superficial or penetrative? What we mean by this is was it something they touched or did it permeate their bodies? The reason that this is important is that it distinguishes between recent weapon use and merely background exposure.
Again, the short answer is: The radiation was superficial and this fact has been known for some time. It is generally irresponsible journalism that has exaggerated the importance of this aspect of the Dyatlov Pass case.
“The radiation referred to has been identified as beta-radiation with the characteristics of isotope K-40. This is very weak contamination and certainly superficial.”
According to various experts the radiation was minor surface contamination and probably from Lyudmila Dubanina’s coat. It was probably from a laboratory environment (Radium, Radon and Potassium) and not from any recent weapons use. A point has been made that prior to the moratorium on atomic weapons testing a fair number of detonations had been carried out in Russia and in other parts of the world. Again, it was not uncommon that small amounts of “fall-out” might be spread far and wide.
Why did the Soviet Authorities deem this event important enough to classify this subject for 30 years? Have they fully released the file? Where can it be found?
The event was actually never classified – this is the typical exaggeration that can be found on certain sensationalist websites. Any papers that have disappeared are more likely the result of inefficiency or bureaucratic stupidity. Without saying who we’ve worked for in the past we can assure you that this happens all the time!
We can speculate all we want but WE don't know what really happened.
From the answers that we have now received to our initial questions we have discovered that much of the apparent “bizarreness” surrounding this mystery is actually misinformation or exaggeration.
Dubanina’s tongue was not ripped out it was degraded through natural processes
The radiation found was inconsequential.
The area was not sealed off to everyone – only amateur sports groups
The case was never classified
There are currently no records of any experimental aircraft being tested in the area in 1959
There is no evidence (now or then) that the area was used to test weapons. However, this doesn’t rule out secret testing
Photographs thought to be missile parts have turned out to be old radar units
The mysterious envelope contained only general correspondence
Photographs show that any discolouration of the bodies was wholly normal
The woman on the train who claimed there were eleven people has turned out to be a very unreliable witness (and a different person altogether).
The injuries discovered are explainable and consistent with those that might be expected to occur in a group of desperate and clearly frightened people that had been stumbling around in dangerous conditions in the dark.
Ok so now we have a more accurate report instead of all the guesses. So we can see how an urban legend is formed. The stories gather MIS-INFORMATION and people add to it as its told. With accurate data collecting we can see its very explainable.