Dyatlov Pass incident

[Ms Diddles]

Hi Ms D, I was a bit late in starting the book, but I'm well into it now.

The authors have clearly attempted to make this book he definitive one on the Dyatlov Pass mystery, the amount of detail is very extensive.
I decided to heed the authors' advice and skip the indented paragraphs.

The one thing that does strike me so far is the fact that there were tensions within the group from the very beginning of the trek.
I have read several books about the case and I don't really remember these tensions being highlighted before, although that may be my faulty recollection.

The trek they were attempting was a brutal one, and I'll be interested if the tensions within the group resurface as the conditions become more challenging.

I'm enjoying it so far.

Hi Barn!

Glad you're enjoying the book too.

I do recall reading that prior to the trek, Zina had recently split up with Yuri Doroshenko, but I had never seen her various letters to friends before.

It's not touched on in this particular book, but I have read elsewhere that her photograph was found in Dyatlov's wallet when all the belongings were audited, so there was some kind of intrigue going on there.

I also didn't realise that Dyatlov was regarded a bit of an autocrat, or that Aleksander Kolevatov was quite unpopular among the other students.

It certainly all gives an interesting insight into the group dynamic!

[barnflatwyngarde]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I just one-clicked 1079, Kindle Version so I'll give it a go as well.

Welcome aboard Filby!

I'll be interested to hear your views about the book.

[barnflatwyngarde]

Hi Herlock,

Yep, I would totally concur with your assessment.

I'm on page 215, and I'll warn you that the stodginess continues (and perhaps even increases!), sorry!

There are some fascinating nuggets in there though, so stick with it.

I fear that when I get to the end, I may need to re-read certain bits, as I'm not sure I've really absorbed all the information properly (bamboozled by all the strange Soviet infrastructure and bureaucracy etc).

In places the translation doesn't help.

I suspect the issue is that it's a Russian book written for a Russian audience which presupposes a certain level of familiarity with, and insight into, a society which is completely alien to us as westerners.

TBH I was feeling a bit of a thicko reading it, so I'm delighted and relieved that it's not just me!!!

barnflatwyngarde - How are you getting on with it too?

Hi Ms D, I was a bit late in starting the book, but I'm well into it now.

The authors have clearly attempted to make this book he definitive one on the Dyatlov Pass mystery, the amount of detail is very extensive.
I decided to heed the authors' advice and skip the indented paragraphs.

The one thing that does strike me so far is the fact that there were tensions within the group from the very beginning of the trek.
I have read several books about the case and I don't really remember these tensions being highlighted before, although that may be my faulty recollection.

The trek they were attempting was a brutal one, and I'll be interested if the tensions within the group resurface as the conditions become more challenging.

I'm enjoying it so far.

[Ms Diddles]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I just one-clicked 1079, Kindle Version so I'll give it a go as well.

Nice one, Filby!

Let us know what you think when you've read it!

[Ms Diddles]

It’s a wonder the Soviets ever achieved anything after they had to go through 7 committees, write 3 reports to various authorities and then wait for responses from the Communist Party before they could open a cupboard! You’re certainly not a thicko Ms D it’s just the way that the book is written. More like a textbook or manual rather than a book to engage a reader who hasn’t spent 20 years researching the subject night and day. It needed the manuscript to have been sent to an English speaking non-expert first.

One thing though, when you read about an aspect of the case, like the discovery of the tent or the contents, and it conflicts with something you’ve read in another book I’m already inclined to believe the version in this book.

That's very true!

The research is painstakingly thorough (or one could say painfully thorough!!!!).

I'm closing in on the big denouement and will finish it tonight.

We've veered off into rather more speculative territory now.

I'll not say too much as I don't want to spoil it for you, Barn and Filby.

I'm going to make a prediction here though.

I predict that by page 200+ you are going to be tearing your hair out trying to keep up with all the weird Soviet protocols and bureaucracy.

It was driving me mad last night.

Perhaps it's just me, but I had to keep jump-starting my brain three or four times each paragraph to be able to follow it.

Intriguing and infuriating!

[Herlock Sholmes]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I just one-clicked 1079, Kindle Version so I'll give it a go as well.

No problem Filby It’s not what you’d call a ‘light read’ and I don’t know what his theory is but you certainly get a level of confidence that he’s got his facts researched properly.

[Filby]

My copy of 1079 was due to arrive between Monday and Wednesday but it arrived today! Maybe it’s a sign of getting older but I was due to go to a barbecue tonight but it’s been cancelled and I’m quite pleased as I can start the book.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I just one-clicked 1079, Kindle Version so I'll give it a go as well.

[Herlock Sholmes]

Hi Herlock,

Yep, I would totally concur with your assessment.

I'm on page 215, and I'll warn you that the stodginess continues (and perhaps even increases!), sorry!

There are some fascinating nuggets in there though, so stick with it.

I fear that when I get to the end, I may need to re-read certain bits, as I'm not sure I've really absorbed all the information properly (bamboozled by all the strange Soviet infrastructure and bureaucracy etc).

In places the translation doesn't help.

I suspect the issue is that it's a Russian book written for a Russian audience which presupposes a certain level of familiarity with, and insight into, a society which is completely alien to us as westerners.

TBH I was feeling a bit of a thicko reading it, so I'm delighted and relieved that it's not just me!!!

barnflatwyngarde - How are you getting on with it too?

It’s a wonder the Soviets ever achieved anything after they had to go through 7 committees, write 3 reports to various authorities and then wait for responses from the Communist Party before they could open a cupboard! You’re certainly not a thicko Ms D it’s just the way that the book is written. More like a textbook or manual rather than a book to engage a reader who hasn’t spent 20 years researching the subject night and day. It needed the manuscript to have been sent to an English speaking non-expert first.

One thing though, when you read about an aspect of the case, like the discovery of the tent or the contents, and it conflicts with something you’ve read in another book I’m already inclined to believe the version in this book.

[Ms Diddles]

I’m 85 pages in so far. Firstly it has to be said that the author doesn’t skimp on details. If I had to be critical in describing it so far I’d probably use the word ‘stodgy.’ What I mean by that is that it’s not a particularly easy or flowing read. It’s a little like having a conversation with a technology expert who assumes that you’re an expert too. Lots of names, jobs, committees, organisations etc to deal with. Plus there’s some dodgy translation as Ms D said but it’s not a big issue. It’s only just reached the finding of the tent stage so basically it’s now getting to the more interesting stuff. The author certainly knows his stuff and the website is back up of course (which I’ve only dipped into it) I suspect that some stuff could have been left out for easier reading but the author obviously wanted to cram everything in.

Hi Herlock,

Yep, I would totally concur with your assessment.

I'm on page 215, and I'll warn you that the stodginess continues (and perhaps even increases!), sorry!

There are some fascinating nuggets in there though, so stick with it.

I fear that when I get to the end, I may need to re-read certain bits, as I'm not sure I've really absorbed all the information properly (bamboozled by all the strange Soviet infrastructure and bureaucracy etc).

In places the translation doesn't help.

I suspect the issue is that it's a Russian book written for a Russian audience which presupposes a certain level of familiarity with, and insight into, a society which is completely alien to us as westerners.

TBH I was feeling a bit of a thicko reading it, so I'm delighted and relieved that it's not just me!!!

barnflatwyngarde - How are you getting on with it too?

[Herlock Sholmes]

I’m 85 pages in so far. Firstly it has to be said that the author doesn’t skimp on details. If I had to be critical in describing it so far I’d probably use the word ‘stodgy.’ What I mean by that is that it’s not a particularly easy or flowing read. It’s a little like having a conversation with a technology expert who assumes that you’re an expert too. Lots of names, jobs, committees, organisations etc to deal with. Plus there’s some dodgy translation as Ms D said but it’s not a big issue. It’s only just reached the finding of the tent stage so basically it’s now getting to the more interesting stuff. The author certainly knows his stuff and the website is back up of course (which I’ve only dipped into it) I suspect that some stuff could have been left out for easier reading but the author obviously wanted to cram everything in.

[Ms Diddles]

The barbie has been rearranged for Sunday so there won’t be much reading done on that day. I’m looking forward to this one (dodgy translations apart of course)

Enjoy Herlock!

I will look forward to seeing what you and Barn make of it.

[Herlock Sholmes]

I've nearly finished it, but probably won't get another good reading session until Sunday night, so I'm sure you and Barn will catch me up.

I won't say too much, but it is super detailed on the search missions and the Russian bureaucracy.

My head is spinning with all the weird Soviet protocols etc.

Really interesting.

Not as engaging as a really good boozy barbecue, but still excellent.

Don't let some of the slightly shonky translation put you off.

The barbie has been rearranged for Sunday so there won’t be much reading done on that day. I’m looking forward to this one (dodgy translations apart of course)

[Ms Diddles]

My copy of 1079 was due to arrive between Monday and Wednesday but it arrived today! Maybe it’s a sign of getting older but I was due to go to a barbecue tonight but it’s been cancelled and I’m quite pleased as I can start the book.

I've nearly finished it, but probably won't get another good reading session until Sunday night, so I'm sure you and Barn will catch me up.

I won't say too much, but it is super detailed on the search missions and the Russian bureaucracy.

My head is spinning with all the weird Soviet protocols etc.

Really interesting.

Not as engaging as a really good boozy barbecue, but still excellent.

Don't let some of the slightly shonky translation put you off.

[Herlock Sholmes]

My copy of 1079 was due to arrive between Monday and Wednesday but it arrived today! Maybe it’s a sign of getting older but I was due to go to a barbecue tonight but it’s been cancelled and I’m quite pleased as I can start the book.

[Ms Diddles]

No offense intended to Ms Diddles and no harming of any titties or idiots was done in this segment lol

My apologies for being such a bot. (new one from the kids here in Maryland).

No offence taken, Abby!