A case so mysterious it’s called America’s Dyatlov Pass 

Woke up this morning and decided to watch a “few” videos...it is now bedtime.

Mr ballen, i dont know if you know this, but you are one of the actual good youtubers who always get to the point. I mean its so rare to find a youtuber like you. Thank you for ur service and ty for making vids 🙏🙏🙏

Both my son and older brother were mentally impaired. While high functioning in some areas, in other ways they would cling to irrational ideas. This is such a sad story. Thank you for telling it so respectfully.

Lol. I'm an Army vet, and I truly get lost on John's stories so much that it's part of my night time routine instead of my books, and many a sleepless night is truly fulfilled after learning everything through stories. Thank you John for being a boss story teller. Don't ever stop!

I think Mr. Ballen does such a great job not just telling the story but also maintaining a high level of respect

I showed my 82 year old Mom this channel. She is hooked! She said she wished he would read audiobooks because his voice is so relaxing. I do, too!

Rewatching the old videos is so cool because you see how much production has improved, along with his confidence and charismatic persona.

Had to play this video twice. I recall you telling a story about a family that somehow had a shared psychosis with the parents and their kids (older teens/young adults) all driving somewhere for days and friends and family couldn’t reach them. At some point the kids had separately left their parents and just began riding and hitchhiking back home. The parents however, were finally found but none of the family members could say why they left or where they were going, but after it was later determined the family suffered from a shared mental psychosis possibly brought on by the father or both parents. I think the same happened with these guys in this story. Considering the ringleader of the group was schizophrenic and apparently had a role of leadership, his psychosis could’ve easily spread to the driver who may have had the lowest IQ of the bunch, leading him to drive 70miles out the way. The others of the group may have reacted much like the children from the previous story and as they snapped out of the psychosis, had chosen to walk back to town but the weather was too harsh. As for Ted, he might have had a better understanding of the weather conditions and hoped they’d be rescued but his psychosis and perhaps being left by his ‘brothers’ might have brought on a deep depression, causing him not to want to move as he realized after some days they had not returned and no rescue for him had been made, so in a way he committed suicide. As for Gary, without his medication he could be anywhere but I doubt he killed his friends and I think his body just hasn’t been found.

Literally discovered this channel a few days ago and I'm addicted, this channel is going to be huge without a doubt

Found Mrballen by accident and now for the past 3 days it's all I have watched! Also I now have a fear of camping, skiing, diving, and the list goes on!

My co-worker told me about Mr. Ballen a couple days ago. I've watched & listened to at least 50 stories already. I'm hooked. This story is super sad. Their families will forever be tortured, not knowing why this happened.

This happened 20 miles from me and I’ve never heard about it! Thank you!

Now here is where the Bee articles are interesting: The Bee was given permission to access the police records from the case as long as they did not photograph or take them out of the Yuba County Sheriff Office. They found information in the records that would indicate that it is possible that Gary Mathias was not as portrayed in the media after the disappearance. Here is the description they write in the article: "These files, clips and interviews shape a disturbing image of Mathias. Billed in virtually all media reports at the time as another lost lamb caught out in the cold, Mathias was an aberration within the flock, a young man who did not belong with the others. He was violently schizophrenic and had a history of drug use, and wasn’t intellectually disabled like the others." While all four of the others were close friends for multiple years, Mathias was new to the group. All five had met through the Gateway Projects which was an organization for the intellectually disabled, Mathias had just joined it the year prior while the other four had joined it years prior. The others had documented intellectual disabilities; for example, Ted Weiher who was found in the cabin was described to the Bee by his brother as lacking common sense, the brother mentions a story where he had to carry his brother out of their burning house because his brother refused to get up because he had to rest before work the next day. Mathias, however, did not have any documented intellectual disabilities in the same way the other four did. He had been a football player in high school and served in the military following graduation. He did have a problem with drugs and was first put into a psychiatric facility during his sophomore year of high school after a bad hallucination trip. He would later be medically discharged from the military for paranoid schizophrenia. After being discharged, he quickly went downhill. While being in jail, he called over a guard and punched him in the face. That same month, he was staying at his cousin’s home and the cousin’s wife was sleeping after taking medication for an illness. The cousin, after worrying why a bathroom break was taking so long, caught Mathias fondling his wife. After his cousin told him he was calling the police, he proceeded to tell his cousin that he wanted to return to jail. He was later arrested a few months later for threating to stab a woman in the jaw and then telling the woman’s 3-year-old child that “I thought I’d kill you once, I guess I’ll have to do it again.” Mathias also had a history of breaking out of facilities and walking long distances. After being arrested in Stockton at one point, he was sent to a psychiatric facility. He spent two days there before breaking out through a drainage pipe and walking/hitchhiking the 80 miles back home. At one point, he also left his home to go live with his grandmother in Northern Oregon. His mother begged him to return home yet he hung up the phone on her. He showed back up a few weeks later fifthly and claimed that he had walked from Portland, stealing milk off porches and eating dog food to stay alive on the 540 mile trip. The final violent incident occurred a few weeks after his trip back home. He broke into the home of a local couple and the couple awoke to find Mathias standing in their bedroom. He told them that he was looking for a ring to return to Satan and that they also owed him rent money because the house was his. After that incident, he supposedly straightened out. He joined the Gateway Projects and become friends with the four other men. Despite his seemingly 180 change, some still were wary of him. The Bee states the following: "Following a 1978 interview with Mathias’ longtime acquaintance Janet Enzerra, Yuba County Sgt. James Black wrote that Mathias had repeatedly told Enzerra of a dream where he and several other people would disappear. Enzerra called Mathias “a very violent person, hurting several men seriously, and (said) that he also hates women,” according to Black’s interview notes."

Being found dead in the cold with no clothes on perfectly fits with hypothermia, it's called "paradoxical undressing" and happens at the final stages when people become irrational as their nerves become damaged and make them feel really, really hot.

Mr ballen is legendary. I have been following him for years and he deserves all the good fortune that has come his way. He is a natural at storytelling, its as simple as that.

They should get that detective who figured out how the guy died in his hotel room to look at this case.

who else has been binge watching mr ballen and discovered him over quarentine??

Mistakenly clicking on this channel was, by far, the BEST mistake I've made in a very, VERY, long time! Seriously, I've - willingly - sacrificed precious sleep to keep watching these videos ... and I am Direct Care Provider in the Covid-19 Unit, so you can imagine how exhausted I must get! TOTALLY WORTH IT.

What I would give to re-discover this channel again for the first time. I miss binge watching all the episodes trying to catch up

I feel like a proud parent whenever i watch some of your older videos😹 with all of the changes and improvements to your channel, your storytelling has always remained absolutely flawless. I really hope you are as proud of yourself as i am with you❤️

it always trips me out when someone is found surrounded by survival supplies.

I like how you don't seem to judge anyone. Just tell the story, and you tell it so nicely. I'm hooked on this channel, just found it 2 days ago. There's something about johns voice and style of telling a story, absolutely addictive.

The occupants of the car didn't notice that the driver had taken a wrong turn after leaving the convenience store. After snacking and then probably dozing they woke up to find themselves in a totally unfamiliar area. There were probably hard words exchanged. That may have caused the group to split into bitter factions. When things get *too emotional* (anger, fear, blaming others/theirself) they get crazy.

I've heard this story for years and am no closer to having answers as I was the first time I heard it.

Im watching this on my back porch at night and a deer or racoon just walked by the house. I almost jumped 5 feet.

I really loved how you took the time to tell personal details about each of the 5 men. So many people would say they were mentally disabled and leave it at that as a possible reason for their disappearance. It’s a nice moment watching content like this and seeing the creator discuss their strengths and important roles / responsibilities that they had together.

It's wild that I'm still discovering old Mr.Ballen videos when he's the main content creator I always watch! I thought I had seen them all, yet here we are!

@MrBallen I would LOVE to see this topic revisited with greater details (such as the man who claimed to be on the same road the night they disappeared) and expanded theories. Such a bizarre, unnerving story!

We love an educated man that takes the time to actually elaborate on people’s disabilities instead of just labeling them without any background ! Never a dull moment with you Señor Ballen

I like how respectfully you speak of these men and how you started the story off by telling us about each one and their interests. Great storytelling as always!

So it's normal to binge these? Asking for a friend 🤣🤣

It sounds like they got lost. Remember, they had intellectual and mental disabilities; they aren't going to problem solve as a typically developed individual would. As far as not using the supplies, I got nothing. So sad.

I dont skip the intros just cause I wanna hear my instructions for the like button

This is so incredibly bizarre and heartbreaking. I do have a theory, though: Maybe the one with schizophrenia had a psychotic break, with delusions that they were being chased or followed, spooking the others. The driver, being easily influenced due to his disability, drove far away, then when the one having a psychotic break jumped out of the car, they all followed him, and didn't want to leave him there. Maybe they were all hiding out in the "camp" that he set up, but by the time the rest decided to leave for help, they were already weak, dehydrated, and suffering from the effects of hypothermia. The guys found outside must have gotten separated and died from exposure, while the guy in the trailer was already too mentally affected by the cold and lack of food, that he couldn't make sound decisions.

my job requires a lot of driving around and these videos havce made my days so much easier

I was introduced to your podcast by a friend and started watching your tube channel starting at 2yrs ago. Each video is so interesting and intriguing. I believe between the mental disabilities and hypothermia that they didn't know what too do or it was paranoia from hypothermia that caused their deaths. As to why drive that far was the road conditions caused them to detour from the path or road they were on.

Am I gonna watch this horror story late at night? Absolutely. Does it bother me that I live in yuba city? Absolutely.

Imagine having a friend that tell stories like this during a smoke seesion

I can't watch the podcast ones because for some reason I love watching him and explaining the story with his hands. Love you Mr ballen

Bonus part is the best thanks for sharing this with us ❤

I would pay this man to tell me stories around the campfire in the woods.

Before ANY Mr. Ballen stories... Doors & windows locked ✔️ Dogs been let out & in ✔️ Go to the bathroom ✔️ Ok, Roll it Mr. Ballen 😱

The story of “the boys” has always stuck with me. It was one of those cases I did my own research but obviously I’m not a detective so I’m like ??? I just can’t imagine what it’s like to be their loved ones 💔

Thank you for such great storytelling!

I've seriously fallen in love with the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in story format ! Keep up the good work Mr. Ballen you are an artist painting a VERY creepy picture !

He needs to do a story on why everyone who watches his videos go missing from watching anything else.

Best time to listen to his stories,lights off and in the dark 😊

I live in Yuba City and this is the first time I hear this story. So excited to listen to it.

What’s so sad is the one young man literally stumbled on a saving grace in the middle of nowhere with snow storms! Food, heat, blankets, clothes, fire material ..: so very sad

I’m from the general area that this incident took place in. Every time I come across a different video or podcast about it I have to watch/listen. You did the story justice, Mr. Ballen. Great job, and thank you!

Keep 'em coming Mrballen. Love your style.

You had me at radioactive 😂 . Storytelling at its absolute finest dude. Thank you.

Here's my theory: The friend with Schizophrenia for some reason was driving (perhaps the main driver and the others were all tired and knocked out). As he was driving, he became paranoid that they were being followed (perhaps he felt fans from the opposing basketball team wanted to take revenge on them). He tried to get away in remote roads. Because the others were asleep, no one knew he was going 70 miles out of the way. When the others finally woke they wanted to know where they were and possibly panicked and a heated exchange ensued. The friend with Schizophrenia abruptly stopped the car and ran away with they keys. The other 4 didn't follow him immediately because it was too cold or because they thought he just needed fresh air. When he didn't return after 10 minutes or so, they went out to look for him. Someone suggested they splitted up into 2 groups, which eventually got them lost. 2 of them found the trailer the other 2 succumbed to the harsh elements. The 2 in the trailer spent their days searching for the others, and eventually found the shoes of the friend with Schizophrenia. They weren't aware of the food storage or perhaps couldn't turn on the propane (even the propane tank I have at home sometimes require fidgeting with before it starts, so it's not hard to believe they thought the propane was broken and gave up trying). One day the friend that was found wrapped up in the blankets got sick so the other friend wrapped him up to help him keep warm. The healthy friend left him in the trailer to look for help. When the healthy friend returned to the trailer, he discovered that his friend had died. Partially scared, partially in a state of panic, he desperately went out for help without the correct preparations and also succumbed to the elements. The friend with Schizophrenia was never found because he was the first to be killed and remains were eaten or taken away by predators.

As a grandma of an autistic grandson, this story tugs at my heart especially hard! I can see it being a horrible conclusion of some very bad, albeit thought provoked, decisions, made by individuals, who simple did their best. And their best could not save them. My heart goes out to the families. Knowing they struggled for up to 13 weeks must heavy heavy on them! May they find peace and forgiveness! For I know they are blaming themselves, when they did nothing wrong! May God wrap them in love. And fund peace with this terrible tragedy

Thank you for your service 🫡

Crazy to hear stories from places that are so close to me that I visit quite often.

A friend that makes phone calls for you, I believe that's a bestest friend of all time

I feel like others. I've heard this story many times. You are the 1st I've heard that have spoke of them respectfully. I do believe they kept driving out of fear. I heard that due to road conditions they were forced to stop driving. The only mystery I know of is why the man in the trailer didn't eat the food or start a fire for 13wks. My opinion from knowing similar young men, those things belonged to the "people/person" who "owned" the trailer & it would be like stealing.

His storie telling always keep me waiting on the next one

I've been sick for a few days, just been binging your channel lol

Some day he needs to do a video on his backstory with the Like button. He seems to have a lot of animosity towards it.

I love the missing 411 series I’d love to hear more

Amazing delivery. I’m hooked!

Live 20 minutes away from Yuba City, Ca so cool Mr.Baller got to tell the story

"It would turn out that it was death" has to be my all time favorite sentence ever spoken by Mr.Ballen himself.

My boyfriend and I are addicted to your stories..sending love all the way from South Africa 💛

MrBallen never fails to do justice and be respectful to those involved. I feel something or someone scared them. I believe they drove trying to get away from something or someone. Then they got out and ran most likely in different directions. Scared and confused by circumstances they never encountered before they perished.... Scared, alone and confused.

This is crazy. I was born in Yuba City and ive never heard of this story

This is so heartbreaking. Imagining their last days, hours etc. A group of close friends who lived so simply a kindly, dying the horrible way they did....

Mr Ballin have a very caring respectful, and understanding spirit..the perfect person to tell these stories👏👏

I’ve lived in/around Yuba City my entire life, crazy that I’ve never heard this story. I can’t wait to ask my Nana about this, lol.

My theory is maybe gary had a trigger or episode, causing him to be paranoid, and maybe he thought they were being followed. He would relay this to his friends, and since he was the leader of the group, they might have believed him without much question. In trying to get away, they might've gone up an unfamiliar way to throw their pursuers off their trail, and then go into the woods. Gary might not have started a fire if he believed it would give away their position, and it could account for the huge distance between the bodies if they just kept going because they still believed they were being followed. That's the best I can come up with.

I'm sick, off work...almost 8pm here so perfect timing Mrballen... appreciate you 🙏

I watched this once and saved it to watch again.

Love the stories you tell!!! Thank you so much

Ballen really brings Dave Paulides’ research to life.

Watched one episode by accident this morning around 6AM and now I am still watching and it is already 11:55AM… this is like listening to a very interesting story and the rest around you becomes your secondary things to do 😂

You are an excellent story teller!! Keep it up! 👍🏻

For this incident -- I think it's possible one got out to relieve himself, got lost and the others (one by one or maybe in pairs) went to look for him, each getting lost in turn. It would be interesting to know if it was a moonless night (how easily they could have become lost)? Side note: Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar is a great read.

This story is both deeply mysterious and very tragic. The poor lads.

Friend: What’s the best part of your day Me: when I see mr ballen in my notifications

Aw, another video when MrBallen was so ambitious to say he’d upload multiple times a week. Love the content and wish there was more.

Hi Mr. Ballen! I love that you treat the people in your stories with dignity and empathy. Love ya from Chevy Chase MD!

My new favorite RU-vidr and he's a vet that makes him even more awesome I love seeing fellow veterans succeed

MrBallen is not only a terrific Storyteller but the ultimate professional with sensitivity and decorum.

i try to leave as many likes & comments as i can & share it with my friends who like horror stuff, i've been a good slave to this channel & helping it grow

I love the way you tell stories! Keep up the good work!

Random friend: let’s have dinner Me: I can’t I already have a date RF: with whom? Me: with the strange dark and mysterious

There is something very strange about forests in the US, people disappear out of nowhere, and then pop up with strange circumstances 🤪 no camping trips for me!!!!!

Love the fit Mr. B! Purple always one of my favs! 💜

The fact that he mentions my home town of Chico. Love how he tells these stories

I’m not gonna lie I need someone in the room whenever I watch his videos

I quit watching slapped ham and chills and all the other channels that tell stories like this. You're an amazing story teller and we absolutely love this channel

You left SO much information and context out of this case it’s crazy 😅

The group might've been coerced to drive there by some sadistic person, then they might've been hunted. Ted made it to the trailer, but might've been too exhausted to do anything, other than to wrap himself in blankets. He might've taken the shoes from Gary, who died first on the trail (frostbite on his feet is an indicator he needed better shoes). It is obvious that the group had separated at some point.

Plot twist: The gas station clerk killed them cause he was mad that the came while he was closing down.

I'm listening to these videos while I clean my house. Mr. Ballen has a very soothing voice that keeps me going as I trudge through the mess. Thank you for the interesting stories to keep my brain occupied while I get rid of things! Love your calm voice. Love your way of narrating.

Broooooo im addicted to this channel

This is one of the stories that got me into the strange and mysterious

There's a lot of strangeness about this story, but it immediately sounds like the trailer was a relatively late discovery. As in, the bulk of what they endured (starvation, hypothermia, deaths of some) happened *before* finding the trailer. Then we're maybe talking about a couple of survivors in dire straits finding salvation, but not in time. Perhaps Gary was in better shape than the man who died in the trailer, and left to try and help someone else, but never returned; already dying, the man in the trailer was perhaps not lucid or didn't have the dexterity left to save himself.