They moved by train and one or two trucks. Initially they reached Ivdel through Serov by rail, and on January 26 they got to Vizhai by truck. From there, the same or another truck transported them to 41st precint, from where they continued their further journey on skis. On January 28-30, their route led along the Lozva and Auspii rivers, and on January 31 they reached the border of the forest. There they built a shelter where they placed food supplies to serve them on their return journey.
On February 1, 1959, they reached the slope of Mount Kholat Syakhl.
Mount Kholat Syakhl means "Dead Mountain" in the language of the local Mansia people. Despite its ominous overtones, the name refers to the lack of vegetation and wildlife in this region of the Urals.
