Sample
  • Dead Mountain

  • The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident
  • By: Donnie Eichar
  • Narrated by: Donnie Eichar
  • Length: 6 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (4,705 ratings)

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Dead Mountain

By: Donnie Eichar
Narrated by: Donnie Eichar
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Editorial 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

Publisher's summary

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.

What listeners say about Dead Mountain

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    2,341
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Authors shouldn't narrate.

Quite interesting but the best example of why authors shouldn't narrate their own book. So monotone. Maybe it would be better to "read" this book.

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

Misleading

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. This was more like one man's obsession with an unexplained mystery and how he internalized and acted upon his obsession. Its a story about the author and certainly does not offer an "Untold True Story" of the Incident. The various explanations for the incident itself (weather phenomena, aliens, conspiracy, etc.) are interesting but none prove very realistic. I appreciate the effort involved, but it wasn't for me nor can I recommend it

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Finally I can move on to something else

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

Greatly researched and written. Worth your time

I loved the entire book and the effort made by the author to solve the mystery in an honest fashion. The twist at the end was excellent and riveting.

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

Such intrigue

So many facts and information. I've always been curious about the Dyatlov incident. This book gives so much information and explains many facts that disproves most common theories about what really happened. If you're a history fanatic and enjoy historical mysteries, then this is the book for you.

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

Engaging

Was not aware of this event, but drawn to its description in Audible. The format of its telling, the writing and audio performance, was totally captivating. Eichar's explanation of the tragedy is the most plausible of the theories presented.

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

Monotone narration

I really really wanted to like this audiobook. It was well written, the research was great, and it was such an adventure but the narration killed it for me. It was such a struggle and there were some parts that called for a different tone, some enthusiasm, even a laugh.

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

Mystery solved?

This is a good exam of the the theories and it’s an interesting investigation of what is known about the hikers, body recovery and the theories.

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

Compelling, challenges your thoughts

The story was always compelling to me and I thought I'd leave with some conclusions as to what might have occurred on the mountain to these hikers, but I left with more questions than I began with. The author does a solid job of interspersing his experiences with those of what the hikers might have encountered, but as is usually the case in an oppressive regime still wrapped up in the thought process of the cold war era, I found myself growing frustrated with the lack of cooperation and clarity.

While the conclusions the author draws is rife with holes, it's compelling. I left asking why this phenomenon he describes isn't happening more often in remote locations with similar landscapes, topography, etc. Upon the book reaching its conclusion, it just ends .....quickly. I could have used a more detailed deep dive into this condition that may have led to the downfall of these hikers.

With that being said, the only slight complaint I might have is with the methodical, monotone narration. When I wanted the narration to be thought inducing, I found it sometimes sleep inducing in the manner the book is read. Still, I enjoyed the topic and would recommend this production to anyone looking to learn more about a 60+ year mystery.

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

Fascinating and horrifying

The narrator can be tough to get through sometimes; he drones and struggles to bring in emotion. But the story itself is gripping enough to overcome the weaker parts of narration.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting

The author is clearly dedicated to his story and narrates it very well. I trust that it's accurate but not 100% sure as I have never read any corroborating accounts.

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