Nothing goes there

[GlennM]

I went there...on Google Earth. What I saw were well defined dirt roads for vehicles. I saw a number of vehicles at what I assumed is Boot Rock. What I did not see were foot trails, nor animal trails. When the Mansi said," nothing goes there", I can believe it. The closest thing to a trail are streams and tributaries of streams.

So, 60 years ago there were probably far less etched up roads. Certainly in winter, nothing visible. Boot rock was just a rock, much like any other. The ground is bare of vegetation and carpeted with what looks like loose shale. It would be a place to make a quicker crossing to Otorten along the ridge route.

Looking at the forest below, I am again struck by the absence of trails. The woods are thick, probable never lumbered out. From the cedar to Otorten, as the crow flies, there is a lot of woodsy up and down terrain, again with no trails. It would be a poor, poor place to try to hike through.

I can appreciate Dyatlov Pass getting a ceremonial name, even it was never used. It would just be too much trouble to bushwhack through all those trees when hikers could go unimpeded by going higher and taking the ridge route.

1079 and Otorten are a long way from anywhere. The idea of Soviets wasting time an energy trying to learn from rocket tests by going there to analyze debris is not what I would expect from an organized military.

The DP9 chose a rare place to do a long hike and would certainly deserve the Grade 3 rating. Too bad about the weather.

[Senior Maldonado]

1079 and Otorten are a long way from anywhere. The idea of Soviets wasting time an energy trying to learn from rocket tests by going there to analyze debris is not what I would expect from an organized military.

Areas that "are a long way from anywhere" have a unique advantage. Rockets trajectories can be set up over those areas without a risk to hit anybody (or anything) in case of launch failure. A rocket started from Tyuratam typicaly flies over about 3/4 of the RSFSR's territory. It is wise to select low populated areas for its trajectory.

As beginning of February 1959 was time of XXI CPSU congress, an attempt to provide CPSU with a gift - successful breakthrogh orbital or suborbital launch - looks plausible. We can talk about bold and hasty production launch rather than about a test.

[GlennM]

Teddy's expeditionary companions may validate your hujch soon. I am doubtful. But interested.

[Senior Maldonado]

I am doubtful as well. As the search team was allowed at the slope in 1959, there was no concern they would find anything. Which means cleanup excercise had been done already. Also, I see no point to look for rocket's debris on Otorten. The hikers would not have left the tent, if the rocket had fallen on Otorten -- it's too far away. The good spot to search is at the other side of the ridge -- go up from the tent's site and go a little bit down on the other side.

[GlennM]

My problem with this is that any effort to clean up the site is going to leave evidence in the form of trails, cuts, prints and missed debris. I honestly do not believe it happened at all. You are right to sugggest a search in other places.  I'd  Google Earth it before I stomped themground.