I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Author Henning Kuersten uses new professional image analysis, video footage, and so much more to discuss and even debunk some of the theories surrounding one of mountaineering’s most haunting cases and works to discover the truth in the book “The Dyatlov Pass: Not a Cold Case”.

The Synopsis

Amazon Bestseller in History, Mountaineering and Expeditions

John Hay, Warner Brothers director and two-time EMMY award winner:

A definitive work on the case; convincing, well researched and played out with such conviction, that by the time I got to the end of the book I couldn’t think of any other solution to the mystery that remained plausible.

On 1. February 1959, a group of nine experienced hikers perished in -30° under mysterious, gruesome circumstances in the Ural mountain range, on the slope of Mount Kholat Syakhl, also referred to as “Dead Mountain” or “1079”. Three weeks after the incident, their abandoned but strangely intact tent was found, slashed open from the inside. The student hikers fled without proper clothing and boots to a ravine at the base of the mountain, where it seems they didn’t die from hypothermia alone, but from traumatic violent injuries and burns. Strange last photographs taken by the hikers and high levels of radiation found on some of their clothes have led to decades of speculation over what really happened.

The Dyatlov Pass mystery is one of the most perplexing mysteries in the international history of mountaineering, and probably the most controversial forensic crime case in Russia. But was it murder, KGB conspiracy, a rocket accident coverup or some unknown natural or supernatural force, like the “Gods in Shining Garments” which the local Mansi hunters mention, or the “fireballs” chief inspector Ivanov believed in up to his death? Are there undervalued or misunderstood eye witnesses of the tragedy, or has anyone even had a similar close encounter since, on that mysterious mountain of fire & ice, where compasses deviate more than 30°?

This gripping nonfiction documentary discusses and debunks multiple existing theories with the help of professional image analysis, rare video footage, eyewitness reports, previously misinterpreted evidence and Occam-style common sense. Through the help of science, the author unravels the secrets behind the fateful journey to that deadly mountain in the freezing Russian winter, and for the first time ties together all seemingly contradicting puzzle pieces into a big picture. Extensively illustrated with visual material, ranging from recovered film frames to newest amateur footage, the book leads the reader to the spectacular solution of the mystery. Which turns out to be surprisingly close to the initial official conclusion of “unknown compelling force”, but far from the better-than-nothing avalanche theory, which has seen a prominent renaissance after the 2020 Russian reopening of the case.

The author Henning Kuersten studied Computer & Information science at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. He is owner of a company specialized in software for image analysis. He is also a dedicated mountaineer who has survived a horrific incident on the 4049 meter high Piz Bernina, which, together with his professional experience in Photography and Psychology, has helped him to understand the fate of the Dyatlov group.

The Review

This was a truly memorable and thought-provoking read. The blend of history and mystery that this case presents to the reader was well represented in this book. The author does a great job of presenting the facts of this case with precision and expertise, while also allowing room for profound thoughts and engaging theory work that the author gives to readers to touch upon the stranger aspects of this case.

The amount of research and discovery the author allows for in this book was remarkable to watch unfold. The images and pieces of evidence the author provides within this book help elevate the wild and chilling theories that are explored and debunked. The way the author brings to life science and history, along with the passion for mountaineering as a whole, made this a compelling read.

The Verdict

Thrilling, mindful, and engaging, author Henning Kuersten’s “The Dyatlov Pass Mystery: Not a Cold Case” is a must-read nonfiction book on mountaineering and world history. The way the culture of the time and setting was implemented into the facts of the case and the presentation of the people who became the victims of this infamous study was greatly represented in this book, making this infamous case feel alive on the page. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Henning Kuersten studied Computer & Information science at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and Psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. He is owner of a company specialized in software for image analysis. He is also a dedicated mountaineer who has survived a horrific incident on the 4049 meter high Piz Bernina, which, together with his professional experience in Photography and Psychology, has helped him to understand the mystery of the Dyatlov Pass Incident.