Alexander Sergeyevich Kolevatov was one of the nine hikers who perished in the Dyatlov Pass Incident in February 1959, a tragic and mysterious event in the Ural Mountains of the Soviet Union that remains one of history’s most perplexing unsolved cases. A reserved yet highly capable member of Igor Dyatlov’s expedition team, Kolevatov brought technical expertise and a unique background in nuclear physics to the group.
Alexander Kolevatov was born on November 16, 1934, in Sverdlovsk
(now Yekaterinburg), Sverdlovsk Oblast, Soviet Union. Growing up
in an industrial city during the post-World War II era, he was
part of a generation shaped by Soviet emphasis on scientific
advancement, education, and resilience. Little is documented
about his family, but his urban upbringing in a working-class or
middle-class household likely provided access to educational
opportunities that fueled his academic pursuits.
Kolevatov initially studied at the Moscow Institute of Physics
and Technology, a prestigious institution, before transferring
to the Ural Polytechnical Institute in Sverdlovsk, where he
pursued a degree in physics, specializing in metallurgy or
nuclear-related fields. His transfer may have been motivated by
personal or logistical reasons, but it placed him in the same
academic and social circles as Igor Dyatlov and other expedition
members. By 1959, Kolevatov was 24 years old, a recent graduate
or final-year student, and had gained practical experience
working at a nuclear research facility, possibly Chelyabinsk-40
(now Ozersk), a secretive Soviet site involved in plutonium
production for atomic weapons. This exposure to radiation later
became significant in theories about the incident.
An
active member of the Ural Polytechnical Institute’s hiking and
skiing club, Kolevatov developed a passion for mountaineering
and backcountry skiing, balancing his intellectual pursuits with
physical challenges. His experience in the Ural Mountains,
combined with his technical skills, made him a valuable
candidate for the Category III expedition to Otorten Mountain in
January–February 1959, a 300-kilometer ski trek led by Igor
Dyatlov.
Alexander Kolevatov was described by friends and fellow hikers
as quiet, analytical, and dependable. Unlike the more outgoing
members like Yuri Doroshenko or Zinaida Kolmogorova, Kolevatov
was introspective, often preferring to observe rather than
dominate conversations. His reserved nature masked a sharp
intellect and a methodical approach to problem-solving,
qualities likely honed by his physics training and nuclear work.
Expedition diaries and accounts note his reliability, as he
consistently contributed to the group’s efforts without seeking
attention.
Physically, Kolevatov was of average build but
fit, capable of enduring the physical demands of skiing through
deep snow and high altitudes. Photos from the expedition show
him focused and composed, often engaged in tasks like setting up
camp or handling equipment. His technical expertise made him a
natural collaborator with Nicolai Thibeaux-Brignolle, another
engineer, and Igor Dyatlov, the group’s leader.
Kolevatov
had professional and respectful relationships with his
teammates. He was close to Thibeaux-Brignolle, sharing a mutual
interest in technical challenges, and worked well under
Dyatlov’s leadership. His interactions with Zinaida Kolmogorova
and Lyudmila Dubinina were cordial, though less personal than
those of the more extroverted members. He also connected with
Semyon Zolotaryov, the oldest member, possibly due to their
shared experience in high-stakes environments (Zolotaryov’s
military background and Kolevatov’s nuclear work). Kolevatov’s
understated presence made him a stabilizing force within the
group’s diverse dynamics.
Kolevatov was one of ten members of the Dyatlov group’s
expedition, which began on January 25, 1959, aiming to ski
approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) to Otorten Mountain in
the northern Ural Mountains. The team included eight men (Igor
Dyatlov, Yuri Yudin, Yuri Doroshenko, Alexander Kolevatov,
Georgy Krivonischenko, Rustem Slobodin, Nicolai
Thibeaux-Brignolle, and Semyon Zolotaryov) and two women
(Zinaida Kolmogorova and Lyudmila Dubinina). Yuri Yudin turned
back on January 28 due to illness, leaving nine hikers to
continue.
Kolevatov’s role was that of a technical
specialist and reliable team member. His physics background and
nuclear work experience likely made him adept at handling
equipment, such as the group’s stove or navigation tools, and
assessing environmental conditions. He may have contributed to
decisions about route planning or campsite safety, given his
analytical skills. Diaries and photos show him actively
participating in skiing, camp setup, and group activities, often
working alongside Thibeaux-Brignolle or Dyatlov. His reserved
demeanor did not diminish his contributions, as he was trusted
to handle critical tasks.
On February 1, 1959, the group
pitched their tent on the slopes of Kholat Syakhl (“Dead
Mountain”), a location exposed to harsh winds and potential snow
hazards. Kolevatov, with his technical expertise, likely
assisted in securing the tent, a task executed with precision,
as evidenced by its condition when found by rescuers. That
night, an unknown catastrophe struck, leading to the deaths of
all nine hikers.
When the group failed to return as scheduled, a search and
rescue operation began in mid-February 1959. On February 26,
rescuers found the tent, cut open from the inside, with most
belongings, including shoes and warm clothing, left behind.
Footprints led 1.5 kilometers to a cedar tree, where Yuri
Doroshenko and Georgy Krivonischenko were found, partially
clothed, near a small fire. Other bodies were discovered over
the following weeks, revealing a complex and tragic scene.
Alexander Kolevatov’s body was found on May 4, 1959, in a
ravine 75 meters from the cedar tree, alongside Nicolai
Thibeaux-Brignolle, Semyon Zolotaryov, and Lyudmila Dubinina,
collectively known as the “ravine group.” Unlike his companions
in the ravine, Kolevatov died of hypothermia, with no
significant internal injuries. His body showed minor abrasions
on his hands and face, and his neck was twisted, possibly due to
rigor mortis, a fall, or post-mortem positioning. He was dressed
in multiple layers of clothing, including a jacket and pants,
some of which belonged to other hikers, suggesting he took
clothing from the deceased to stay warm, indicating he may have
survived longer than others in the ravine.
Kolevatov was
found lying close to Zolotaryov, with his arms around or near
him, possibly in an attempt to share warmth or assist him. His
lack of severe trauma, unlike Thibeaux-Brignolle’s skull
fracture, Zolotaryov’s rib fractures, and Dubinina’s crushed
chest, is a notable anomaly in the ravine group. Trace radiation
was detected on some clothing in the ravine, including
Dubinina’s, which may relate to Kolevatov’s nuclear work or
environmental factors in the Urals.
The official Soviet
investigation concluded that the hikers died due to a
“compelling natural force,” but the vague explanation left many
questions unanswered. Kolevatov’s relatively intact condition,
compared to the ravine group’s severe injuries, has puzzled
researchers, suggesting he may have avoided the initial trauma
that struck his companions. A 2021 study supporting the
avalanche theory posits that a small slab avalanche caused the
group to flee, with the ravine group falling into the ravine,
but Kolevatov’s lack of injuries challenges this explanation.
The absence of avalanche debris in 1959 and the slope’s low
angle (15–20 degrees) further complicate the theory.
Kolevatov’s death, as part of the ravine group but without
severe injuries, is a key piece of the Dyatlov Pass puzzle. His
nuclear background and the radiation traces on nearby clothing
have fueled speculation. Key hypotheses include:
Avalanche: The 2020 Russian investigation and 2021 studies
suggest a slab avalanche prompted the group to cut open the tent
and flee. Kolevatov may have escaped the initial impact in the
ravine, dying of hypothermia later. His lack of trauma, unlike
his ravine companions, raises questions about his position
during the event. Critics note the slope’s angle and lack of
debris.
Military Involvement: Kolevatov’s nuclear work and
the radiation traces on Dubinina’s clothing (possibly
Krivonischenko’s) support theories of a military test, such as a
radiological or explosive device. His intact condition suggests
he was not directly hit by the force that injured others, but
his proximity to radiated clothing keeps this theory alive. No
documents confirm military activity.
Infrasound or Panic:
Infrasound from wind patterns may have caused disorientation,
leading to a chaotic escape. Kolevatov’s survival longer than
others in the ravine, as inferred from his clothing layers,
suggests he remained coherent, but this theory doesn’t explain
the ravine group’s injuries.
Foul Play: Theories of an attack
by locals, prisoners, or Soviet agents cite the ravine injuries,
but Kolevatov’s lack of trauma undermines this. His nuclear
background has sparked speculation about espionage, though no
evidence supports this.
Paranormal or Extraterrestrial:
Speculative theories link the radiation and ravine injuries to
UFOs or supernatural forces, often citing reports of lights in
the sky. These lack credible evidence, with Kolevatov’s nuclear
work offering a more plausible radiation source.
Kolevatov’s
proximity to Zolotaryov and his extra clothing suggest he was
among the last in the ravine to die, possibly attempting to help
or survive longer. The radiation traces, while significant, are
likely explained by his or Krivonischenko’s nuclear work or
environmental contamination in the Urals, a region with known
radiological activity.
Alexander Kolevatov is remembered as a quiet, intelligent, and
reliable member of the Dyatlov expedition, whose life was cut
short in a tragedy that defies explanation. His nuclear
background and lack of severe injuries make him a unique figure
in the narrative, often overlooked compared to the more dramatic
cases of Dubinina or Zolotaryov but critical to understanding
the group’s final moments. Photos of Kolevatov, preserved by the
Dyatlov Foundation, show him focused and engaged, capturing the
group’s camaraderie before the tragedy.
The Dyatlov
Foundation, established by survivors’ families and the Ural
Polytechnical Institute, maintains Kolevatov’s memory through
archives, including diaries and photos. His technical expertise
and reserved nature are celebrated as part of the group’s
diverse strengths. The 2013 film Devil’s Pass, while fictional,
draws loosely on the incident, with characters inspired by
hikers like Kolevatov. His nuclear work has fueled speculation,
but it also underscores his intellectual contributions to Soviet
science.
Kolevatov’s death continues to be studied,
particularly his lack of trauma in the ravine group, which
challenges avalanche and military theories. The 2019 Russian
reopening of the case, concluding in 2020 with an avalanche
explanation, has not fully resolved questions about his
condition, keeping his story alive in books, documentaries, and
podcasts. His legacy is tied to the human cost of the tragedy
and the enduring quest for answers, with the Dyatlov Pass
serving as a memorial to him and his companions.
Nuclear Expertise: Kolevatov’s work at a nuclear facility,
possibly Chelyabinsk-40, exposed him to radiation, a detail that
later fueled theories about the incident’s radiation traces.
Reserved Nature: Diaries and accounts describe Kolevatov as a
quiet observer, contributing through actions rather than words,
often working alongside Thibeaux-Brignolle.
Survival
Instincts: His extra clothing layers and position near
Zolotaryov suggest he fought to survive, possibly assisting
others in the ravine before succumbing to hypothermia.
Technical Skills: His physics background likely made him a key
contributor to equipment maintenance and campsite decisions,
though specific actions are undocumented.