The (1959) “Dyatlov Pass Incident” is often referred to as Russia’s “Yuba County Five” (which took place in 1978)! I am joking, of course. The Dyatlov Pass Incident involved a group of teenagers (members of the Young Communist League) who died due to bad weather and poor organisation whilst hiking in the remote (snow-covered) hills of the USSR! The Americans, exercising their usual “inverted” and “anti-intellectual” approach to reality – immediately “mystified” this incident and imagined all kinds of monsters and ghoulies. The only connection between the “Dyatlov Pass Incident” and the “Yuba County Five” is – SNOW.
But who were these five men in Yuba? Two of them had served in the US Military – whilst a third was born with no knees! All five suffered from cognitive disabilities and/or psychiatric disorders – with one possessing an IQ of just 40. Remember, the US government had deliberately recruited men of low intellectual ability during the Vietnam War – as it was assumed that as physically strong soldiers – these individuals would remain unruffled and uneffected by the devastating psychological and physical guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the enemy (know colloquially as “Charlie Cong”).
As many ordinary Americans understood that the US aggression in Vietnam was “wrong” – those with cognitive disabilities (and low IQs) would not possess the reasoning capability to resist Conscription or be swayed by prompted Voluntary Enlistment into the US Military. Once Enlisted, the US government assumed these men would murder Vietnamese men, women and children without hesitation. The reality, however, proved somewhat wide of the mark. These low IQ Recruits turned-out to be next to useless both in combat and in Rear Area Duties – as they required continuous assistance and support from their colleagues – that diverted vital manpower away from front-line activity. This is why two of these five men were “Honourably Discharged” from the US Military (due to being “Unfit” for Duty) and qualified for free education, healthcare and housing, etc.
After attending a basket-ball match nearby to their living areas – these five men (all sharing a single car) drove up into the remote hills – miles off course. They would then hike around 19 miles in pouring snow and freezing temperatures up a hill in thin clothing (quite a feat). Along this path around three would die of cold en route – with two making it to a National Park cabin. This cabin possessed supplies of ample food which the two survivors barely touched despite living for around twelve-weeks in the cabin. Just twelve tins were found opened and emptied suggesting two men ate half a can of food each per week for three-months.
Eventually, one man died of starvation and cold, whilst the survivor seems to have left the cabin in search of help around the thirteenth week, To date, only four of the five bodies have been found. Considering the cognitive and psychiatric disabilities and ailments these men suffered, (very different to the hyper-fit Soviet teenagers involved in the Dyatlov Pass Incident), what these men achieved is impressive even if it is virtually impossible to ascertain WHY it is that they did what they did. This is the only mystery. The US is an uncaring capitalist society – perhaps this simple fact explains exactly why five disabled men died whilst hiking through the snow.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 