There are several places in the world that are called the Valley of Death. One of ours is located in Kamchatka near the volcano with the affectionate name Kikhpinych.
From the antique Kikhpinych, that is, from the ground at the western slope of the volcano, gases, steam and jets of hot water come to the surface. The entire slope of the volcano is dotted with ravines, along the bottom of which numerous streams flow. These small ravines descend to the thermal site, which is nicknamed Death Valley.
Its first mention in this capacity dates back to the 1930s, when hunters stumbled upon it by chance. They went out to this valley when they were looking for their missing dogs. They found their huskies at the western foot of the volcano, where the Geysernaya River begins. What the hunters saw was an apocalyptic picture. Their dead dogs lay on the perfectly naked, without a single blade of grass, the ground of the valley, and around, as far as the eye could see, lay a multitude of all kinds of birds and all animals known to them from small rodents to wolves and bears. All were taken by the accursed Kihpinych …
The traders hastily left this lost place. This also saved them. Those dogs who did not get lost, but went out with them into that valley, fell ill and died upon their return. People were also struck down by an unknown illness, they suffered from constant headaches, lost weight, languished, and lay powerless in bed. Fortunately, they recovered after a while.
What the hunters saw in the valley is repeated every spring. After the snow has melted, mice rush into the valley in search of food and soon cover the entire valley with their bodies. Foxes come to the smell of mice and also die. Further "on the list" up to the bears … The same sad fate befell the local rulers of the heavens - the Pacific Steller's sea eagles, who, seeing abundant prey below, rush to it and die unable to take off.
Stories and horror stories about the Valley of Death near Kikhpinych spread throughout the Soviet Union and attracted not only scientists, but also tourists. While scientists, taking samples and making the necessary measurements, were looking for the cause of an incomprehensible phenomenon, more than a hundred tourists and amateur researchers died. Chemical analysis of samples taken in Death Valley showed very high concentrations of cyanide compounds, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Those who were exposed to cyanide died immediately. Kikhpinych poisoned with hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide more gently, gradually - hydrogen sulfide quickly ceases to be felt and it seems to people that they have left the danger zone. And the dimensions of this zone are two kilometers long and three hundred meters wide.