# A small slab avalanche, released from the wind-loaded slope above the cut the group made to level the tent,…

> Most likely: A small slab avalanche, released from the wind-loaded slope above the cut the group made to level the tent, struck the tent and injured…

Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/answers/ANS0D79DK4C79EX/a-small-slab-avalanche-released-from-the-wind-loaded-slope  
Publisher: Mysteries Department  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page)  

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[Questions](https://mysteriesdept.com/questions)[Dyatlov Pass incident](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass)[What made nine experienced ski-tourers cut their way out of the tent and leave it, underdressed, in the dark?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/questions/QST0D79DJCY4S3V/what-made-nine-experienced-ski-tourers-cut-their-way-out-of)Answer

Answer · Dyatlov Pass incident

# A small slab avalanche, released from the wind-loaded slope above the cut the group made to level the tent,…

A small slab avalanche, released from the wind-loaded slope above the cut the group made to level the tent, struck the tent and injured several of them; the rest cut their way out and took the injured to shelter.

**Most likely** Answers **1** questionPublished0

## Where it stands

**Most likely** Its tests supported it: three pieces of evidence for, three against. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

## What it predicts

- The slope above the tent site is steep enough (over about 28–30 degrees) for slab release.
- Wind-loading on the night of 1 February could build a slab in the hours after pitching.
- A slab of the inferred size striking a body on a rigid base produces the rib and skull fractures found.
- Slab avalanches occur on that slope under winter conditions.

## What would rule it out

- A demonstration that the slope at the tent site cannot hold a slab of the required size, or forensic analysis showing the injuries are inconsistent with blunt impact from above while lying down.

## Evidence 3 for · 3 against

[Drone survey found the slope above the tent site steeper than 30 degrees; two fresh slab avalanches were…](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/evidence/EVD0D79DKM01HGQ/drone-survey-found-the-slope-above-the-tent-site-steeper)

Supported

FOR

[The 2019–2020 prosecutorial review, with an on-site experiment, reached the same conclusion.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/evidence/EVD0D79DKVT0BSE/the-20192020-prosecutorial-review-with-an-on-site-experiment)

Supported

FOR

[The model reproduces the delay, the small size, the lack of debris after three weeks of wind, and the…](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/evidence/EVD0D79DKC663DJ/the-model-reproduces-the-delay-the-small-size-the-lack-of)

Supported

FOR

[The 1959 searchers recorded no avalanche debris, and the tent's ski poles and entrance were standing.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/evidence/EVD0D79DM3M0C1G/the-1959-searchers-recorded-no-avalanche-debris-and-the)

Established

AGAINST

[The 1959 survey put the slope at under 30 degrees.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/evidence/EVD0D79DMBE2T0P/the-1959-survey-put-the-slope-at-under-30-degrees)

Supported

AGAINST

[Three people with crushing injuries, one a skull fracture, walked or were carried 1.5 km.](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/evidence/EVD0D79DMK875FA/three-people-with-crushing-injuries-one-a-skull-fracture)

Suggestive

AGAINST

## The questions it answers

[What made nine experienced ski-tourers cut their way out of the tent and leave it, underdressed, in the dark?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/dyatlov-pass/questions/QST0D79DJCY4S3V/what-made-nine-experienced-ski-tourers-cut-their-way-out-of)

Most likelyA small slab avalanche, released from the wind-loaded slope above the cut the group made to level the tent,…

## Cite it

```
Mysteries Department. (2026). A small slab avalanche, released from the wind-loaded slope above the cut the group made to level the tent,… [Answer ANS0D79DK4C79EX]. https://mysteriesdept.com/r/ANS0D79DK4C79EX
```

Key

**ANS** 0D79DK4C79EX

Kind

Answer · hypothesis

Origin

Published

Version

1

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