Rustem Vladimirovich Slobodin 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 enduring enigmas. A disciplined and reliable member of Igor Dyatlov’s expedition team, Slobodin was known for his quiet strength, athleticism.
Rustem Slobodin was born on January 11, 1936, in the Soviet
Union, likely in the Sverdlovsk Oblast or a nearby region,
though exact details about his birthplace are sparse. Of mixed
Russian and Tatar descent, Slobodin’s heritage added a layer of
cultural diversity to the group, reflecting the Soviet Union’s
multiethnic composition. Growing up in the post-World War II
era, he was shaped by the challenges of a nation recovering from
war, with an emphasis on education, physical fitness, and
collective effort.
Slobodin enrolled at the Ural
Polytechnical Institute in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), where
he studied engineering, possibly in a field related to
mechanical or industrial systems, given the institute’s
technical focus. By 1959, he was a 23-year-old recent graduate,
working as an engineer in Sverdlovsk, which demonstrated his
academic success and professional competence. His disciplined
approach to studies and work carried over into his outdoor
pursuits, making him a respected figure among his peers.
An active member of the institute’s hiking and skiing club,
Slobodin was an experienced mountaineer and skier, having
participated in several treks in the Ural Mountains. His
athleticism and familiarity with harsh winter conditions
qualified him for the challenging Category III expedition to
Otorten Mountain, organized by Igor Dyatlov in January–February
1959. Slobodin’s reputation for reliability and endurance made
him a natural fit for the demanding 300-kilometer ski trek.
Rustem Slobodin was described by friends and fellow hikers as
reserved, dependable, and quietly confident. Unlike the more
outgoing members like Yuri Doroshenko or Zinaida Kolmogorova,
Slobodin was introspective, preferring to contribute through
actions rather than words. His disciplined nature, likely
influenced by his Tatar heritage and engineering background,
earned him respect as a steady and focused team member.
Expedition diaries and accounts note his calm demeanor, which
complemented the group’s more vibrant personalities.
Physically, Slobodin was strong and athletic, well-suited for
the physical demands of backcountry skiing and hiking. Photos
from the expedition show him skiing with ease or assisting with
camp tasks, often with a serious but composed expression. His
strength and stamina were assets, particularly for breaking
trails through deep snow or carrying heavy loads.
Slobodin had professional and respectful relationships with his
teammates. He was particularly close to Igor Dyatlov, whose
leadership he trusted, and worked well with Nicolai
Thibeaux-Brignolle and Alexander Kolevatov, sharing a technical
mindset. His interactions with Zinaida Kolmogorova and Lyudmila
Dubinina were friendly, though less personal than those of the
group’s more extroverted members. He also respected Semyon
Zolotaryov, the oldest member, for his experience, though their
age difference may have limited their bond. Slobodin’s quiet
reliability made him a stabilizing presence in the group’s
dynamic.
Slobodin 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.
Slobodin’s role was that of a strong and
dependable team member. His athleticism made him essential for
physically demanding tasks, such as breaking trails, carrying
supplies, and setting up camp. His engineering background likely
contributed to technical tasks, such as securing the tent or
maintaining equipment, though specific contributions are
undocumented. Diaries and photos show him actively
participating, often skiing alongside his teammates or assisting
with camp chores. His disciplined approach ensured he carried
out his duties efficiently, supporting Dyatlov’s leadership.
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. Slobodin, with his
experience, likely helped secure 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 puzzling and tragic scene.
Rustem Slobodin’s body was found on March 5, 1959,
approximately 480 meters from the cedar tree, on the slope
leading back toward the tent. He was lying face-down in the
snow, dressed in a jacket, pants, and one boot, with additional
layers including a hat and gloves, suggesting he was better
prepared for the cold than Doroshenko or Krivonischenko. The
autopsy determined his cause of death as hypothermia, but he
also had a skull fracture, described as a 6 cm long crack with a
0.1 cm separation, which was not fatal but likely caused
disorientation or unconsciousness. Additional injuries included
abrasions on his face and hands, swelling around his eyes, and
bruises on his knuckles, suggesting a fall or struggle against
the elements.
Slobodin’s position, between Igor Dyatlov
(400 meters from the cedar tree) and Zinaida Kolmogorova (630
meters), indicated he was part of a group attempting to return
to the tent, possibly seeking shelter or supplies. The skull
fracture, unique among the slope group (Dyatlov, Kolmogorova,
and Slobodin), has been a focal point for analysis, as it
suggests a traumatic event beyond simple exposure. His single
boot and layered clothing imply he fled the tent in haste but
tried to protect himself from the cold.
The official
Soviet investigation concluded that the hikers died due to a
“compelling natural force,” but the vague explanation left many
questions unanswered. Slobodin’s skull fracture and position on
the slope have been central to theories about the incident. A
2021 study supporting the avalanche theory suggests a small slab
avalanche caused the group to flee, with Slobodin sustaining the
fracture during a fall or impact while escaping. However, the
absence of avalanche debris in 1959, the slope’s low angle
(15–20 degrees), and the group’s experience in avoiding such
risks keep alternative theories alive.
Slobodin’s death, particularly his skull fracture and position
on the slope, is a key piece of the Dyatlov Pass puzzle. His
condition has informed several hypotheses:
Avalanche: The
2020 Russian investigation and 2021 studies propose a slab
avalanche prompted the group to cut open the tent and flee.
Slobodin’s skull fracture could have resulted from a fall or
impact with snow or ice during the escape, with hypothermia
setting in as he tried to return to the tent. Critics argue the
slope’s angle and lack of debris, as well as the fracture’s
specific nature, challenge this theory.
Hypothermia and
Disorientation: Slobodin’s hypothermia aligns with his exposure
to extreme cold (-30°C or lower). The skull fracture may have
caused confusion, preventing him from reaching the tent. His
layered clothing suggests he avoided paradoxical undressing,
seen in Doroshenko and Krivonischenko, but the fracture
complicates the hypothermia-only explanation.
Military
Involvement: The skull fracture, likened to blunt force trauma,
has fueled theories of a military test, such as a sonic boom,
shockwave, or direct impact from a weapon. The absence of
external wounds and the fracture’s internal nature support this,
but no evidence confirms military activity. Trace radiation on
other hikers’ clothing adds intrigue, though not directly linked
to Slobodin.
Infrasound or Panic: Infrasound from wind
patterns may have caused disorientation, leading to a chaotic
escape. Slobodin’s fracture could have occurred during a fall,
but this theory struggles to explain the injury’s severity or
the group’s collective behavior.
Foul Play: Theories of an
attack by locals, prisoners, or Soviet agents cite the skull
fracture as evidence of targeted violence. The bruises on
Slobodin’s knuckles suggest a struggle, but the absence of
outsider footprints or weapons undermines this idea.
Slobodin’s skull fracture, less severe than Nicolai
Thibeaux-Brignolle’s but more significant than typical fall
injuries, remains a point of contention. His attempt to reach
the tent, alongside Dyatlov and Kolmogorova, suggests a
coordinated effort to survive, making his death a poignant part
of the narrative.
Rustem Slobodin is remembered as a disciplined, reliable, and
quietly strong member of the Dyatlov expedition, whose life was
cut short in a tragedy that defies explanation. His
Russian-Tatar heritage, athleticism, and engineering background
added depth to the group’s diverse composition. Photos of
Slobodin, preserved by the Dyatlov Foundation, show him skiing
and working alongside his teammates, capturing the group’s
camaraderie before the tragedy.
The Dyatlov Foundation,
established by survivors’ families and the Ural Polytechnical
Institute, maintains Slobodin’s memory through archives,
including diaries and photos. His skull fracture and position on
the slope have been extensively studied, contributing to
theories about avalanches, trauma, or external forces. The 2013
film Devil’s Pass, while fictional, draws loosely on the
incident, with characters inspired by hikers like Slobodin. The
2019 Russian reopening of the case, concluding in 2020 with an
avalanche explanation, has not fully resolved questions about
his death, particularly the fracture’s cause, keeping his story
alive in books, documentaries, and podcasts.
Slobodin’s
legacy is tied to the human cost of the tragedy and the enduring
quest for answers. His determined effort to reach the tent,
despite a skull fracture, symbolizes the group’s resilience, and
the Dyatlov Pass, named after the group’s leader, serves as a
memorial to him and his companions.
Athleticism: Slobodin’s strength and skiing skills were evident
in photos of him navigating deep snow, making him a key
contributor to physical tasks.
Russian-Tatar Heritage: His
mixed background was a point of pride, reflecting the Soviet
Union’s diversity, though he rarely discussed it in documented
accounts.
Disciplined Nature: Diaries describe Slobodin as
focused and reliable, often working quietly alongside Dyatlov or
Kolevatov on technical tasks.
Skull Fracture: The 6 cm
fracture, with swelling and abrasions, suggests Slobodin endured
significant trauma before succumbing to hypothermia, adding to
the mystery of his final moments.