Top 3 photos with DISTURBING backstories | Part 2

[@synysterlegato1185]

Komarov was the real deal refusing to sentence his best friend to death and making damn sure the higher ups saw what they done. R.I.P. legend.

[@netlawyerdc]

The Soviet space program used animals and people as sacrificial test subjects. If you haven't heard of the Judica-Cordiglia Brothers, you can google the story about the radio signals they intercepted. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judica-Cordiglia_brothers And unfortunately, far too many people don't know the sacrifice that Komarov willingly made for his good friend Gagarin.

[@lilkibby3111]

I'm honestly surprised the soviets didn't try to shadow his very clear funeral plans.

[@kevindflowers234]

No doubt! The resolve and fortitude that guy had! True hero... Sad that these deaths always seem to be related to corporate greed or some terrible company policy. He paved the way for Yuri to go and get the "once in a species accolade" by being the first human in space. True friend.

[@danielkirpichnikov2007]

@@netlawyerdc but you don't know how many USA citizens was sacrificed

[@richardblackhound1246]

Yes, it was very heroic but I wish both of them had just refused the mission and then both would have survived.

[@zackv3957]

Komarov was such a good man. He knew it was a suicide mission but saved his friend from doing it. Then basically forced his leaders to stare at his charred corpse. Hats off man, hats off.

[@denisepleines1513]

God that photo ....the epitome of disturbing.

[@johncox2865]

It seems so unusual that the Soviets allowed the funeral to proceed open casket. Perhaps they has souls after all.

[@garyesajas]

That was metal as fuck

[@heikesiegl2640]

@XxRiskyPlanexX oh come on.. stupid and harmful desicions are not only made by higher up soviets or chinese. Guess its nice to have a black and white viewe and an easy distinction between "good" and "evil"

[@lxdj2948]

I am this comment's 700th like

[@fionabarrie9697]

Komarov was a man who is worthy of utmost respect. He was willing to die as long as the Soviet leaders be held accountable for their actions! Balls of Steel!

[@emperor-thesenate-palpatin5954]

same could be said about 100's of miners willingly exposing themselfs to radiation to prevent hundreds of thousends people dieing of it at Prypyat, Chernobyl

[@thilsiktonix]

I love true heroes like this. Their stories are amazing, legacies even more so!

[@ash-bh6ts]

Yeah but he had wife and kids, why risk leaving them with out a father?

[@jamie-leighgibson2338]

@@ash-bh6ts maybe the other dude had a wife and kids who were younger maybe he thought the other man needed to live more than he did

[@Emma88178]

He was indeed brave! But balls are the weakest point on a body. I've never understood that analogy since it doesn't make sense.

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Thanks to Komarov's heroism in saving his friend, Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space. Sad that while Gagarin's name is known world wide that of Vladimir Mikhaylovich Komarov is not. The man was a hero who went knowingly to his death to save his friend. Glad there's a photo of what the bureaucrats did to him.

[@utahGrizzHC]

Actually… Gagarin went into space about 6 or so years before this flight, so he was already the first man in space

[@nikiTricoteuse]

@@utahGrizzHC Thanks. How interesting. It appears that you are correct and the article l read, is not. Frustratingly, because you tube removes comments with links, l haven't credited my source and can no longer find the original article. I have found several others that credit him with saving Gagarin's life by accepting the Soyuz mission but, as you rightly say, they were after Gagarin's space flight. It is, of course, also possible that l misinterpreted what l read.

[@utahGrizzHC]

@@nikiTricoteuse It’s alright, everyone makes mistakes 😀

[@nikiTricoteuse]

@@utahGrizzHC True. I'm happy to have this one corrected. 🙂

[@nikiTricoteuse]

@@themightybalian Oh wow. Think I had read he died in a test flight for something but, did not know that he was so young. In a completely random aside, l really only know of him at all because l lived in Via Yuri Gagarin when l lived in ltaly 40 years ago and had wondered why it was named "after some random Russian dude".

[@luclasher1866]

I like how he tells the story to us like he's genuinely talking to us and not reading a script with a monotone voice.

[@janetwhite7786]

Ya, isn't that irritating? Mr Baller is ballin.

[@mattwalker7604]

Very true. That's why I listen to his channel over others.

[@sshole...]

That’s the Mr Ballen difference😂👌👌

[@ragnars69]

@@janetwhite7786 No he is telling stories

[@tonygarcia6752]

That’s way cooler

[@gabbie3174]

That photo of Komarov's body is so powerful. What a brave man. Those "leaders" deserved to see the damage they had done

[@mahmutsala4523]

They deserve that damage

[@johnle9883]

lol do you think russian leaders give a shit about that. theyve done worse and seen worse and feel nothing.

[@Caramelized_Sausage]

@@johnle9883 yup remember the kursk incident

[@joecalbery1919]

@@johnle9883 actually any leaders, any country. ALL PSYCHOPATHS.

[@BS-ys8zn]

@@joecalbery1919 You really shouldn't be projecting TFG to all leaders everywhere.

[@DreamsAreLies]

The story of Komarov hits me hard every time. He was so honorable for what he did for humanity, his own country and his best friend. I wish the world had more of his rare breed of our namesake: humanity.

[@DGonz0-]

There cannot be more people like that because so many are the opposite. Hence the "leaders" still alive probably without repercussions of their decision.

[@yourdashingheroidol7909]

I am saddened to discover that this was my first time hearing this story. I am fairly well educated and this was never brought to my attention. So much about the U S/Soviet space race feels like propaganda +;spin to me, but this is first and foremost a story that highlights the extremes of human nature. Pride+hubris+lack of empathy for fellow man vs. Courage+honor+Patriotism+ and empathy realized. All of these astro/cosmonauts were pioneers for mankind. This type of story goes beyond flags and should be taught as such. That comrade Komarov is a fucking legend! That term is usually hyperbole, but in his case 100%authentic. We will literally never see his like again for certain because that was such a unique situation. Even farther exploration into space will never be as gutcheck as leaving Earth for the first time in what may as well have been a Chevy Malibu. R.I.P

[@ED-es2qv]

@@yourdashingheroidol7909 you need to look up the time the soviets lost all their rocket experts because the boss insisted on being close when it was lit, and everyone followed him. That was pride and poor management. This is just a case of progress is dangerous and test pilots die sometimes.

[@ED-es2qv]

@@DGonz0- what they did was a great leap in technology because they forced a fast timeline, and failures give more data than success. It was only one man, at a time when it was accepted that building a building would cost a man per floor. People were starving to death by the thousands, so they could pay to keep Americans afraid of them.

[@DGonz0-]

@@ED-es2qv but the only reiterates leaders failing without repercussions

[@lisahinton9682]

I am gobsmacked that anyone would travel down the path where two hikers had just been chased by a bear. But it reminds me of the old joke: You don't have to be able to outrun a bear, you just have to be able to outrun your friend. In this case, Darsh was the slowest of the six. Poor guy - I can't imagine the pain of being eaten by a bear.

[@Lisa59]

What kind of dumb ass goes down a path knowing a bear is there?

[@a.j.7264]

I'm sure it doesn't hurt. I voted for trump 2024.

[@anonymouscaller9555]

I’m actually shocked they didn’t hear his screams but then again if you are high on adrenaline you don’t hear anything and just looking to survive

[@noahsimonson6571]

To be fair, they really messed up in how they handled it. Running is the worst thing they could do. They should have grouped together and swung at it to scare it off. Black bears are cowards unless protecting their babies

[@anacupurdija2829]

@@noahsimonson6571 I agree, but If they had enough common sense to do that, they would not go down that trail from the beginning, after the people warned them about the bear.

[@rillawhat8142]

What part of " a bear was stalking us" would make them want to continue on the trail??😳

[@katiezee2]

'Hey let's go see if we can find that bear! OH NO, he ate our friend.' dumbasses

[@pdog547]

I grew up in northern Canada. We were taught in school what to do if there are bears in the area. Going towards them was not ever recommended. That one belongs on the Darwin Awards.

[@coredream8552]

I dont know

[@sirwhitenuts6746]

The group male bravado is a dangerous thing

[@Wig-po5nb]

Teenagers=Liquid courage

[@luckydal2059]

The first man is pretty incredible. To accept your inevitable end and find a way to make it worthwhile is incredible. I’m glad we got to see the film. He was successful in leaving a mark before he died.

[@einhalbesbrot]

It helps to fulfill a purpose within what you think are your last seconds. Just being occupied by anything helps coping with the fact of inevitable death.

[@chenaraseepersad3482]

Right he was such a badass

[@Schmorgus]

Or, he could just not be near the volcano. Praising stupidity for pretty pictures online. It's so modern it's scary.

[@luckydal2059]

@@Schmorgus Hey, nobody said he wasn’t stupid. But it was still impressive

[@Schmorgus]

@@luckydal2059 I really don't see how killing yourself for a couple of photo's, is impressive :P

[@tlepageart4294]

The fact Komarov did all that to sacrifice himself for his best friend is pretty damn courageous of him.

[@goooobrainy]

Dude's a legend

[@soookimbo6571]

@@shinsowo what about his wife?

[@jhughes2286]

Young men don't have this kind of courage today.

[@ai-no3ib]

More like pretty damn dumb!

[@lansogle8080]

He was a damn decent person for sure

[@kramsdrawde8159]

No greater love than this, than a man lay down his life for a friend...

[@peaceforall8174]

Amen❤️

[@annaleahandrews5720]

Amen 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 I love scripture

[@LadyLeomon]

The man in the last story: he gave his life to protect his friend and made sure his superiors would know what they did once he died, this man was steel right until his final breath ... R.I.P Mr Komirov 🕊🕊🕊

[@theunlikelyhero123meh3]

Steel? This man was tungsten

[@LadyLeomon]

theunlikelyhero123 Meh dude, not cool ...

[@yvonaamariaa]

@@LadyLeomon titanium

[@foofoo3344]

And I bet at least half of those d-bag leaders looking at his corpse don't even give a shit.

[@qaidikramuddin]

@@foofoo3344 Yes.

[@torn.blue.sky101]

Gotta hand it to Komerov, I'm surprised he could even take off with the size of those titanium balls...

[@Jaxckxx]

Probably why they had little power

[@TDKn1ght]

Jaxckxx whoop there goes my comment idea

[@MrArcher7]

In Soviet Russia, it takes less courage to die in space then it does to refuse to do the mission.

[@WoodysAR]

I think Humans can lay the 'Balls so big' analogies aside now after that one. All done. Titanium huh? At least the last one was a good one,...

[@danielrencsenyi917]

I think it's Komarov, btw true

[@xaviee2k]

love the fact that Komarov had one last f u to the leaders by having an open casket funeral

[@tmfd9476]

Do you think they cared at that point though?

[@xaviee2k]

@@tmfd9476 uh yea

[@thebuzzcjc]

What a Chad even in death..

[@dennisalvarado5134]

@@tmfd9476 of course not they never do oh well

[@samuelarmstrong5862]

@Max Povetkin clear Soviet propaganda

[@julzwright18]

I truly feel for Komarov's wife. I don't know how I could cope if that was my husband. RIP and my heartfelt thoughts to his family. xXx

[@krisaaron5771]

"There's six of us and one black bear isn't gonna attack six people!" Just so you know: bears can't count.

[@ohcanada8084]

Bears just pick the slowest runner. What made them think it was safe to go check and see if the bear was still there? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Just hearing that couple say the word “bear” I would have been, “nope,” and back in the city.

[@bernadette4567]

Those guys were idiots.

[@deadduck8307]

Not to take away from the humor here; that's probably only technically true, depending on what you mean by "counting." Formally, in Mathematics, we define "counting" to be the act of forming a 1-to-1 correspondence with the integers. There's no reason to suspect that a bear would even be aware of what integers are--heck, most people are not sure--so they could never satisfy the formal definition. But, if we relax the definition slightly to simply mean the act of forming a 1-to-1 correspondence, removing the need for integers, then bears can almost certainly count. The act of mating alone would suggest this as its a pairing of 1 male and 1 female (a 1-to-1 correspondence).

[@bernadette4567]

@@Koocel 💯

[@josephrome1183]

You don't have to be the fastest. You just have to be faster than the person next to you. 😩

[@fluffycak3s]

The astronaut... he died a legend. He forced those who killed him to literally view what they did, what they ruined, the life the took... thats a hard-core way to go out and I got HUGE respect towards him.

[@jonathanprince707]

Wow. That last picture is so graphic, you can actually show it on KZbin because it doesn't even come close to resembling a human.

[@kevinbarnes9750]

You can see his face

[@antheiheiant]

@@kevinbarnes9750 Where?

[@MrRedberd]

I couldn't to figure out which end of him was which. Did they lay him on his back? He probably burst from heating up so fast, and most of him sprayed all over the inside of the capsule. RIP hero, salute.

[@KimberlyBishh]

the eyes arent shocked

[@zachbishop7868]

Lol awesomeness. I hate when I click the comments before I get close to the last video lol

[@bonefetcherbrimley7740]

Poor Komarov. Truly, he was an utter chad. I hope his family is doing well, and his friend.

[@PeacefulMind5746]

Yuri Gagarin, his friend, died in a plane crash a year later after komorov. Strange happenings.

[@Sqwidiot]

@@PeacefulMind5746 PeRcUlIAr

[@nataliadanilina8652]

I used to attend school in Russia named after him. We had his big bust in our main hall and we would yearly have a day in his honor where his story would be retold, we wrote essays about his heroism, etc. And several times his relatives would be there, to share some stories and express their gratitude to our school for keeping his legacy. His friend Yuri Gagarin died during training flights with his instructor, trying to avoid another plane.

[@iusethisnameformygoogleacc1013]

They're likely all long dead. His friend died in 1968.

[@jlt131]

i don't think "chad" means what you think it means. or have the children stolen that word from us as well and reversed its meaning? i really hate when they do that....

[@noahfrye4583]

Such a gangster the only reason he went is so that his best friend could live

[@MrTruckerf]

His best friend- Yuri- could have refused as well, could he not? Or would he have.........disappeared?

[@BigDawgRey95]

@@MrTruckerf Most likely, since Yuri was the backup he probably wouldn't have been afforded the luxury of refusing as well. It probably would have been "die in the shuttle or watch everyone you love get disappeared before you do as well"

[@nezavisniinformer8732]

3 letters KGB

[@nickyappleby1060]

True friendship right there and Dale he and/or his relatives would have 'disappeared' back then if he didn't do as he was told. I visited Russia during it's communist era and it was a scary place!

[@17MrLeon]

@@MrTruckerf Well thts the point Yuri wnted to go regardless the risks. So not only soviet leadership but Komorov died because Yuri didnt know any better.

[@metalilama1]

Every horror story be like: Person 1: hey you shouldnt do that Person 2: nah im fine Person 2: *proceeds to be very much not fine*

[@your_dad_on_vacation]

This is the conversation I have with myself every morning

[@floatymoat]

What makes me seething mad is when people are told they shouldn't do something they do it anyway and end up hurt/killed/maimed then others are like gee be compassionate and feel sorry/bad for them. Nope. Its called karma bitch hope you enjoy it! I'm compassionate towards those worth it like that Russian astronaut. What a guy he saved his friends life AND made his killers eat it! His poor wife and kids I feel horrible for them but damn I hope thier proud of him.

[@alnorth612]

@@floatymoat He should ve thought more for his family though

[@trinitybruno5918]

@@your_dad_on_vacation facts

[@trinitybruno5918]

person 2 is me when smoking pot. one big hit won’t hurt and then i die😃

[@torycatherine2044]

Making sure your own corpse will be visible to the men responsible for killing you is one of the most bad ass things I've ever heard. They deserved to live with that. Why even bother with space ship inspections if all the problems are gonna be brushed off and ignored?

[@boltzmannbrain8698]

Emitt Till’s mom did the same. She was an amazing woman

[@wenchfisterx]

I'm sure the leaders forgot all about it a few days later, they killed gagarin too with their ignorance.

[@wenchfisterx]

And also you can't just say no to kgb, those men knew it was one of them or their whole family would most likely be killed in "accidents" so they chose to be sacrificed. It's too bad he didn't die of altitude sickness b4 he cooked to death though that's just not a cool way to go.

[@pruett694]

@@boltzmannbrain8698 yes, she was. She has my admiration as a mother. She had strength that many lack.

[@alisonj1384]

Evil. Sacrificing a man for the ego of the nation. Would not want to be them at Heaven’s gates. Cold bastards.

[@muhammadshofwan5309]

Komarov is kind of the best friend that all we needed, he was so caring toward his friend

[@dhump132]

Ok I know this sounds morbid as hell but the second story really is the saying "You don't need to be faster than a bear just faster than the guy next to you," put into practice.

[@Whin556]

Too right.

[@heatherhelms74]

I wasn't gonna say anything but thats exactly what came to my mind too!!!

[@MrRedberd]

If they worked as a team everyone would be fine. Capitalist pigs running for their own lives. You want to go fast, travel alone. You want to go far, travel together.

[@dhump132]

@@MrRedberd why did you bring capitalism into this lol this had nothing to do with it haha

[@MrRedberd]

@@dhump132 every man for himself = capitalism

[@Magencory17]

Komarov is truly a hero. My heart aches for his wife, children, family, and friends. That poor guy had to endure so much pain, and agony. May God bless this man, and his loved ones for all eternity🙏🏽

[@jennywhite3508]

Exactly how I felt 🥺

[@ProphetofHonor982]

Komarov died a legend and no one can change my mind, may he Rest In Peace.

[@saskiaaa]

true... he's soo brave for doing that... i couldnt imagine what hes thinking and feeling as he is boarding that suicide for failure ship smh... T__T

[@Youtube-hates-its-users]

We know this man was in space, We know this how/why he died. Yet, Yuri Gagarian is called "the first man in space". That right there is the most horrific aspect IMO. Reason being, This enormous accomplishment/honor/bagging right was striped away from him and his family. He was essentially erased, like it never happend. Their willingness to spend people and deny them the bounty of their accomplishments turns my guts.

[@nevayuh5636]

The bear story rlly pissed me off. Their friend died bc they wanted to be hard headed and not listen to the couple who literally said there was a black bear stalking them

[@johnedgemon1184]

It's not all on the survivors, though. Remember, all of them decided to go. It wasn't like the one that was killed was forced to go or anything. He was just the one dumb-dumb that paid the price for the other dumb-dumbs to live. Kind of like a game of Russian Roulette, where the bear was the bullet.

[@spicynoodles2742]

@@johnedgemon1184 Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, basically

[@mysterylovescompany2657]

The price of being the slowest runner, sadly. I guess, to be really, really, _really_ grim, here, better him than a young family, or a child, or a pregnant woman - since the official assessment was that the bear's attack was random + predatory, & it seems like it had just decided it wanted to eat a person, so presumably it was going to hunt until it did. And they wouldn't have shot it until a victim had been taken. Who knows whose life Darsh Patel saved? Though only a madman would ever say anything like that to his grieving family of course. It's a horribly insensitive observation, I know., but just analysing from a distance. His death was a tragedy, it should never have happened. But it happened to him.

[@ayf_]

@@mysterylovescompany2657 how young family, child, or pregnant women can be better that anyone else? How knows what piece of sht will grow up from child and how worthless giving birth individuals are along with that sht they giving birth to? U r disgusting

[@jaelzion]

He didn't have to go. He made a choice.

[@Dinjur]

I remember doing an extensive space race project in high school and just going down a rabbit hole involving soviet mistreatment of cosmonauts. I really recommend people looking deeply into the soviet space race. Shit gets dark at times.

[@lydialutz]

And the Challenger in the US :( Didn't have to happen.

[@nuclearfetusdismemberment9227]

Those arseholes deserved nothing but endless gulag !

[@jonye7511]

The more things change the more they stay the same.

[@raquellofstedt9713]

Yeah. This wasn´t the only time this sort of thing happened. My husband used to work with a guy whose uncle used to be on a recovery time ffor the USSR thump downs. It was, from what he described, absolutely brutal.

[@agnediciuniene9861]

Soviets mistreated all people. Their behavior was not exclusive towards cosmonauts. Russians continue with their traditional behavior.

[@jorgemontero4023]

Ps the Russian astronaut. Is more than a hero. He was an incredible friend. Rip.

[@Shoorit]

Cosmonaut.

[@xxdjsolomanxx]

10/10 sad

[@sactown9167]

Regardless of where you're from this is a tragic and horrific story rest in peace

[@justinakers3196]

@@Shoorit same thing turd cake

[@bailyslife9923]

That's crazy. I never heard of the USSR "having" to do anything. They knew they screwed the pooch with that one.

[@scepticalhyenas5750]

_"I highly doubt a bear is gonna come out of the woods and attack 6 people- especially a black bear thats not known to attack people"_ *- last words of man killed and eaten by black bear that came out of the woods to attack his six person group*

[@Evelyn-cx8uf]

He got booga’d by the bear

[@ScubaSteveCanada]

People think the bear is "playing" in this video. The two joggers know better ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHTHnYV3q7BsrdE

[@scepticalhyenas5750]

@@ScubaSteveCanada I'd love to know how people keep getting this idea that bears might "just want to play" _it isnt chasing you with the hope that the 2 of you will have a jaunty little game of woodland freeze-tag. _*_it wants to maul you._*

[@daerdevvyl4314]

I think it’s because of Disney movies. If the only wild animals you’ve seen were walking around and singing, you may not understand the whole “nature red in tooth and claw” concept.

[@icantthinkofaname15]

Lol true. Stupid guys

[@TexasSteader]

“Hey there’s a bear stalking us, don’t go that way”. “Ok, I’ll just ignore that and go mess with said bear. That can’t go badly”.

[@cptcolgenltmajor9246]

What could go wrong??? Famous last words

[@bernadette4567]

Absolute idiots.

[@Thesamurai1999]

Natural selection. Not only did a peron die because of that, but also the bear. Both could've been alive. This is also a major reason why polar bears are going extinct.

[@EpicAMV911]

@@Thesamurai1999 You could argue that, this is natural selection for the bear as well, to not fuck with humans. Most wild animals are pretty timid towards humans for that exact reason.

[@ananthropomorphictalkinggo6641]

Definitely a Darwin award.

[@lyndoncrawford2136]

This guy man, he just showed up in my feed and now I’m hooked. Sir you are a masterful storyteller with a soothing voice and dark dark content… I love it!

[@princesse0920]

The last story was probably the biggest “F U’s” I’ve ever seen someone give their boss!

[@MrRedberd]

@Max Povetkin So why the open casket? Many of these stories are campfire stories, I hear you.

[@michaelavanduesen]

Links to this?

[@hawk535]

@Max Povetkin i need proof of what u say. Otherwise its just as credible as the other story that he did curse them and did ask for the open casket. I feel like ur a soviet Union advocate and are lying. Post sources or what u say is just as unbelievable

[@hawk535]

@Max Povetkin do u have the link to the article? Id still like to read it. I can translate it

[@taranyalvexx7420]

@Max Povetkin So basically your argument is "I can't provide sources because they'll get deleted"? Sounds pretty sus, just saying.

[@matthewclark8201]

I'm not going to lie..I'm usually one to watch KZbin videos like this that actually have footage and documentaries behind it, but this guy describes the stories so good that he's actually illustrating them to me! Love these stories

[@ijustrealllylikecats]

Yeah these stories are told so well that they don't even need video/pictures! I like to turn on a MrBallen playlist at bedtime and I just close my eyes and listen and I can clearly imagine everything he's saying. So much talent!

[@maryholm5839]

My Uncle was a game warden out of Tacoma WA when the volcano erupted.

[@calvinthedestroyer]

So much better than the youtuber's that click bait you

[@nurseii9018]

@@calvinthedestroyer facts

[@saskiaaa]

true! the way he tells and narrates the stories, is soooo addicting it will get you so focused listening to him. I always listen to him even when im doing work, I have his videos on playlist then would replay some parts if I think I didn't understand. He's sooo good at this! def my favorite narrators here.

[@legquint5616]

I can already see the Netflix series: The Strange, Dark, and Mysterious, Hosted by John Ballen

[@alexiabratsch7864]

I’d binge watch the sh•t out of that series 👊🏼

[@veronicavatter6436]

We need this!!!!

[@kathybanda2509]

I’d like to see that❤️

[@scottcol23]

then it would be gone from youtube and you would have to wait months and months for a new "season" to start. I like this way better. Commercialization ruins stuff like this

[@lindamorris7572]

@@scottcol23 True enough. I already binge watch these anyway. LOL

[@ticedamigo5485]

One of my professors in university knew Robert from the first story. They were colleagues if I remember correctly, and he told us his story when we covered the Mt. St. Helens eruption in his class. Absolutely incredible mental fortitude from that guy to do what he did.

[@agzmusic5967]

I know I'm late but my dad actually met Komarov shortly before he died in "Star City" (where the astronauts train in the USSR). Basically he had permission to go there because his uncle was a military pilot and he was visiting him when he bumped into Komarov on the street (he was a national hero at the time so it was obvious who this was, especially to someone who was into space stuff). My dad said Komarov gave him a smile so genuine when he left that the image will forever be engraved in his mind. I think he was training for his last mission at the time and died no more than 3-4 weeks later. RIP to a legend.

[@lizxu322]

Damn! What an awesome story, thanks for sharing! Men like Komarov are so rare , it's such a shame

[@GenericUsername1388]

It's a shame the world lost someone of such high value the day he died

[@BoxOKittens]

Guys: "This bear can't attack six people at once!" Bear: jogs toward them Guys: scatter and run, leaving the slowest one behind all alone

[@amethyst1826]

Exactly!!

[@NagoBust]

Their are stupid they shouldn't stood their ground

[@scottj2461]

Natural selection at work.

[@evanmcdonnal]

@@scottj2461 Nah, shameful cowardice at work. It's very unlikely anything would have happened if they didn't act as prey. Also six men can't fight one bear? Truly pitiful.

[@lawrencemorris2261]

And it was only 300lbs. They litteraly could have worked to pick up a heavy log and use it as a weapon/shield against the bear. Ok I'm a bit imaginative but I'm such a situation they could have done something.

[@tommyfilms6882]

Fun Fact: Neil Armstrong left memorial items on the moon for Komarov as well as other astronauts and cosmonauts who died. I love the idea that each side has the utmost respect towards each other. Maybe not the leaders, *cough cough* Soviet Union *cough cough* , but the astronauts and cosmonauts did. Also, the US wanted to send a representative to Komarov’s funeral to honor him but the Soviet Union turned that idea down.

[@jeffreymoran6234]

Its always the leadership.

[@tommyfilms6882]

Mary Gomes Huh?

[@ganjabrujoz329]

we never went to the moon smh

[@Raven-qj8xk]

@Mary Gomes correct!

[@edinahchiotah2108]

ganja brujo Z3 we tried seven times stupid

[@elizabethfallert1963]

When you said that the group started running from the bear I knew someone was doomed. “There are six of us” turned right into “I only have to be faster than one other person”

[@MrEkshin]

Black bears should always be considered trouble. More than grizzlies. Acquaintance of mine had been spotted and charged by one while hunting (for deer). Dropped to his knee and took a shot from 50 yards. No effect. Turned around and climbed a tree he initially thought couldn't be climbed, but now had more motivation. Bear got to the tree and began to climb. Then slid down, harfed out a bucket of blood and died. So he had put a shot down it's throat, and it still ran 50 yards and tried to climb a tree after him. Avoid black bears. Also brown ones, white ones, and even black/white ones. Teddy bears are okay though, but if someone tells you they were being stalked by a teddy bear, that's a whole new level of wrongness, and they should be avoided as well.

[@xamxihang]

Only pandas are safe, but they r quite strong, so can still easily hurt uss. But clearly that group pay an expensive price for their action. Cause they got the warnings

[@C_Tizzle]

Dwight Shrute, is that you?

[@gyllenborg91]

To be honest, I'm pretty sure they would all have been alright if they had stood their ground, made themselves as big as possible by raising/waving their arms, and shouted at the bear with as loud and deep voices as they could manage. Even more so if the bear was--like they said--well nourished, as it probably wouldn't think attacking them would be worth the risk. Besides, running only indulged the bear's predatory instincts to give chase and hunt.

[@jenniferroach4153]

I think it’s if it’s brown (grizzly) lay down, if it’s black fight back.

[@plops993]

@@jenniferroach4153 if it's white say goodnight

[@jakesavage1680]

Interesting facts to consider about these three stories: 1. In a volcanic flow, you’ll be sautéed as soon as the flow front hits you. Once the flow hits you, your muscles will suddenly contract, and you’ll curl up into something resembling a pugilistic pose. The ash and gas will rush into your airways and, if you had time to live after the extreme heat shock, you’d quickly asphyxiate.2. Back bears can move in a rhythmic, sure-footed way and can run at speeds of 25 to 30 miles per hour (40 to 48 km/h).3. Soyuz 1 hit the ground with the force of a 2.8-ton meteorite. The capsule was instantly flattened under the force. This triggered the landing rockets that lit the wreckage on fire. Komarov's charred remains were uncovered and displayed during his funeral. The largest recognizable part of his body was his heel bone.

[@Wonderlikechild]

Thanks, I hate it.

[@Biglover29]

8^O

[@timespaceperspective701]

"sauteed" lol

[@Biglover29]

@@timespaceperspective701 Aww, really?? That's not right. Heh

[@timespaceperspective701]

@@Biglover29 sorry but the way he descibed it made me laugh, on a serious note i can't imagine being faced with imminent death and still having the presence of mind to document it ...he definitely did something with those last seconds of his life and i commend him for that.

[@DavidThomas-qq4hf]

Just remember when it comes to bears that are gona attack: If it's brown, lie down If it's black, fight back If it's white, goodnight!

[@SanDzFit]

Sounds like this BDSM porno I saw once 🤪

[@jorgemontero4023]

I look at it this way you right but if you're not there you don't have a problem leave the damn bears alone they're not cuddly and they're not friendly they're really big hairy eating machines and you look tasty

[@RaraZeCat]

This doesn’t help me as instead of Bears, we have Heynas, loins, Cheetahs, and Leopards... And All I know to combat is Heynas, and even then it’s not a garunteed, what you should do is do an obi-wan and get the high ground,

[@juliaszybowicz7709]

Seems there's no surefire way, other than the fact, supposedly, that most bears, in general,, don't go after people. However, for the ones that do, think you need a gun.

[@PotatoKernels]

@@juliaszybowicz7709 actually it takes great aim, a good gun, and focus to kill a bear with a gun. For example, shooting the bear at the head is a bad idea. Why? because he will die from the injuries but that will take days and they have a small brain aka a small target so its hard to shoot it and you need a high power rifle to even break the skull. The best way to do it is to shoot the lung vital shot but with high precision to actually hit the vital lung organ with a certain position which in a panic mode is really hard to do

[@Lowfatryebread522]

I live in NJ and remember that story but all the news teams were saying Darsh was intentionally provoking the bear. Throwing debris at it. Then again the media will say anything for attention.

[@Billywhitebread4]

Damn. That guy was a lump of coal. That's horrible. I hope that Those men responsible never got that image of him out of their mind.

[@Krfification101]

They probably went home, had sumptuous meals, banged their beautiful Russian wives, and totally forgot about him the next day. That's how Soviet Union higher ups do. Ever heard of Chernobyl?

[@eatingwetfries4285]

They’re soviet russian leaders, they’ve seen bodies in worse conditions

[@tradingwizard562]

Yeah no one cares till the realization dawns their number is next.

[@Billywhitebread4]

@@Krfification101 good point.

[@flowerdoyle3749]

@@Krfification101 Not just Soviets....pretty much anyone in power thru out history......the masses are simply cogs and slaves to be used for profit. Whether that's to build ego or their portfolio....all the same to them!

[@hartleyb8356]

Lesson for today: When someone tells you they were just being chased by an angry bear, believe that shit!

[@stingstungmemae1297]

So much for strength in numbers.

[@rogerdodger5886]

Or be able to run faster than at least one of your group

[@samculp9468]

i think if they had all picked up sticks and screamed at the top of their lungs the bear would have thought otherwise. 6 people really? leads me to believe this bear was was used to people and had a grudge, if you could call it that. if he was not diseased; there not stupid, he would just walk away. not that 6 people without real weapons could do much but in most circumstances it should deter them. they arent dumb, unless.... parc reps there probly right to shoot in this instance.

[@highcosmonaut7255]

@@samculp9468 When I was working in Montana the 3 of us were enough to keep bears away because we were always loud and scaring them away. I believe you're right, if they had stood their ground and made themselves seem bigger rather than show weakness and ran like prey maybe he would be alive still.

[@erismana2105]

It was natural selection unfortunately the bear was affected by thier stupidity

[@mysterylovescompany2657]

"...especially a black bear, that is not known to attack people." Oof, they were so wrong; black bears attack less often than browns, but they actually commit harder, when they do. Brown bears have a bravado thing which black bears don't share, so the latter has a rep for being placid - but they're not placid, they're just choosy. And if they choose _you_ , ain't no face full of mace or air horns changing their mind.

[@yoshijb9428]

Yurp black bears are so lethal...smh

[@lapislazarus8899]

The moral is that wild animals are just that, and unpredictable, so there's no reason to tempt fate.

[@philduoos2961]

I've heard where black bears attack because they want to attack. Grizzlies attack because you are a threat. They say to cover your head and neck and lie still for a griz and maybe they'll walk away once you aren't a threat. A black bear you are supposed to fight on the rare chance that it attacks. My few encounters with a black bear were seeing their south end as they headed north. Working in grizzly territory I never saw one - but the Indian bear spotters would say how they saw them and the bears changed direction away from us when they smelled us.

[@davidtharp7767]

They Lost any Advantage to them being 6 & only one bear when they sprinted which makes the Bear eventually only Chasing Darsh the Slowest who the 5 friends "Gave" the Black Bear for Supper. Of Course when all 6 took off running it was On Like Donkey Kong for the Bear !

[@nhmooytis7058]

Tip: bears don’t read books on bear attacks. Now and then they’ll pick up a copy of Time or Vanity Fair and skim a story while taking a dump, but they don’t have the attention span for a book.

[@starrynight1329]

I've never heard anything about the stories you are telling and I've been binge watching all day. Keep up the amazing work. 👍

[@hebrewsky]

Holy shit Komirov is a legend man. I had never heard of him before this but I'm sure I'll repeat this story to others in the future. That man wasn't merely a hero, he was a fucking incredible friend. Selfless, brave, and smart enough to demand the people who did this to him see the consequences. I'm sure they never forgot.

[@hebrewsky]

​@Max Povetkin Sounds like what the commys want you to believe.

[@hebrewsky]

​@Max Povetkin I don't know man. Your story seems a lot shittier to me. I'm gonna go with the internet talking guy. Enjoy your facts and research, I'll just chalk them up to soviet propaganda and retell the badass version.

[@stormangelus6638]

Here's the full story on Komirov via Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Komarov That being said, I'd not be so quick to dismiss Mr.Ballen. Governments will often scrub the full story to make themselves look good, and people don't know how brutal the fights to the stars were from the 50's to the 80's between Russia and America.

[@hebrewsky]

@@stormangelus6638 You never can be 100% sure about anything any government says. Can you? Lol Either way, great story

[@ghostwolfv1457]

@Max Povetkin ok commy

[@wajtopaz4073]

Soviet astronaut gave his life for his mate...demanding open casket...they will never forgot what they had done..powerful.

[@kingamity1985]

what a legend

[@justinakers3196]

@Eventual Visitor A certain degree of narcissism is a recipe for success

[@JackNapierTM]

@@justinakers3196 agreed, however too much and it's a guaranteed recipe for failure with disastrous results.

[@kingamity1985]

@Eventual Visitor lol facts

[@AndrewFlameiing]

I’m from Russia, born and made ✊🏼

[@andrearose5628]

Had never heard the horrifying story of Komarov's bravery in the face of certain death. Bless his wife and children, his best friend has to carry guilt to this day even though all of this was out of his control. Disgusting what the higher ups were willing to put on the line to 'save face'. Shame on them. What an incredible man. Thank you for covering his story.

[@toxxicx]

he died in a plane crash a year later.

[@theonethingwealladore]

Yeah… Yuri died a year later. He doesn’t feel guilt to this day

[@gaaraofthefunk7163]

@@theonethingwealladore But I hope Russia leaders do. At least bear this in mind when making decisions of this magnitude.

[@Scyllax]

@@toxxicx Gagarin was test-flying new re-entry vehicles for the Soviet space shuttle program.

[@warriormanmaxx8991]

re: Komarov = That's a commie for ya!! Anyone is expendable for the cause!! Including infiltrating the Washington D.C. protest on January 6th 2021.

[@KitsuyuutsuR]

I watched a program on Mt. St. Helen’s (I remember when it erupted way back when) and the footage that remains is incredible to see. But none was as haunting as those photos. Amazing photographer, to take those photos and protect them while he died… The bear… That’s highly unusual for a black bear to stalk and kill humans unless they’re starved or your messing with mama’s cubs. Those stupid kids should have listened to the other hikers. They knew it wasn’t right. That bear just got it in his head that he wanted human for dinner for some reason and they should stay away. Komarov… What a brave man. Not only did he give his life to save his best friend, but he had some balls, standing up to the Soviet government like he did. That was genius to say he wanted an open casket so they could see what their negligence did to him. Literally brilliant. I think all government and military officials should see what their actions cause to the people who carry out their orders. The end result isn’t always pretty, but they never get to see that, so they keep on making these stupid decisions because they don’t see the consequences that come from their orders.

[@MrPhife333]

It's like the old saying goes: "I don't have to outrun the bear. I just have to outrun you."

[@bendrowned8506]

👉🏻😐

[@savannahhuff4086]

Unless you're alone..

[@cocoduck7745]

he took the Last pictures when the bear was just ten to fifteen feet away. I would assume he ran the last.

[@17MrLeon]

We have a saying in gun community that for a bear you need only .22 you just shoot your friend in the leg and run. But jokes aside anything bigger than .44 magnum actully ahve a chance of killing a bear although not instantly.

[@mikemantle]

I like how the bear story is literally that bear joke "you don't have to be faster than the bear, you just have to be faster than the guy next to you".

[@margaretlowe5220]

As soon as John repeated the couple's comment thatt a brown bear was stalking them knew what was coming and it's obvious who perished.

[@nhmooytis7058]

My bf told me that the first time we hiked way up in the Eastern Sierra.

[@jasperqueen3676]

It's so not funny, but it's really so funny.

[@MJ-oi5wb]

there's a commercial out now that says that (it's really bad, don't even know what it's about) as if it's funny. It's not funny. We live around bears, there's nothing funny about being stalked and attacked by a bear

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@MJ-oi5wb statistics say most bear attacks are the fault of a camper carelessly handling food, or getting too close to a cub when Mama Bear is around. Play stupid games win stupid prizes.

[@sherlockwatson101]

Never turn your back and run from a predator - it’s instinct for them to chase you - and they will be faster

[@EsqChrio]

I'm a runner and when dogs start chasing me, I turn around and start running towards them while yelling and waving my hands. Evey time they have stopped and run away from me. I know I can't outrun them so I figure I might as well stand my ground and fight.

[@giftedfox4748]

For a mission on the 3rd story, I understood that feeling that you knew the mission is going to fail when "leaders" plan these things. Not in this scale but I have been involved with missions that had no hope of being successful because the people in charge just told us "make it work". One mission in South Korea we were set up in the woods near the boarder to do nothing but sit there. It went to hell pretty fast and things just got worse. First off I was there to set up the server stack, connection via satellite, radio set up, and making sure everyone's computers and phone lines are up and running. Guess what they made me do on the first few nights. Random guard duty in the mud pointing my weapon into the woods. Made the less experienced personal try to figure that out. Another mistake is that the guide wires used to keep this massive tent up wasn't marked. They did this so we can stay stealth despite how much noise the generators are making. During one of the many false alarms of enemy contact someone ran in total darkness and tripped over one of the wires, breaking his leg in the process. They took him to the hospital the best they could by giving him a ride in the Humvee. Towards the end of our mission one girl had a heat stroke because of all this gear, running around, and little sleep (due to the false alarms the leaders keep doing every 2 hours or so you can't get sleep). One of the leaders noticed her, called some people over to help her, and walked off to eat his lunch in the Humvee close by. She was seriously in danger that they had to rip off her body armor and gear with clothes to cool her down as much as possible. With them doing that this leader with no care in his face is browsing on his phone and sometimes looking. Sometimes people in charge have you back, but most of the time they are only doing these things that make no sense that just tell you "there is a method to my madness" in order to get points for their next promotion.

[@theajsquad9484]

Y did u have to write whole essay😶

[@weneedjusticeinamerica]

Thank you for sharing.

[@newworldsaturncubedcontent2450]

Did you ever figure out “why” they had you doing it?

[@ravenmeyer3740]

People suck.

[@paulcush3783]

I’m tired of this mistreatment i can’t feel my legs

[@pandapumpkin8610]

Awe here is a hug 🤗

[@chrishoffman2489]

Umm... You have legs? 🤔

[@emmaplayz2263]

Lol

[@brolynotbroli.]

@@chrishoffman2489 that's the joke

[@melzw0rld962]

😂😂😂

[@williamstarkey9032]

This is the first time I heard of Cosmonaut Kamarov' s death in detail . . .like Mr Ballen said . . The mission was purely political . . This man obeyed his superiors even though they were his murderers . . I have a new respect for all who were astronauts or cosmonauts for their courage to explore outer space. . . May all who have died in this international endeavour rest in peace .

[@anonymousperson3023]

Murder needs to show intent. Negligent, yes but murder? No. And no, negligence is not proof of intent. It's not even close and to argue anything else is just an emotional argument

[@LagrangePoint0]

@@anonymousperson3023 They knew all the problems the spaceship had, they knew whoever they send on that thing would surely die, and they did it anyways, that's murder.

[@rsrt6910]

@@anonymousperson3023 Negligence is a product of ignorance. Once the Soviet leadership was made aware of the issues, the projected outcome and the complaints from the men on the ground, they are no longer ignorant. When they CHOSE to ignore the experts and eyewitnesses, they became murderers. Not the first time a disconnected belief overrode reality, and will not be the last.

[@stephen1137]

@@LagrangePoint0 Yup.

[@CharliStar]

What happened to him should never have happened. They 100% murdered that poor man….. just look at what certain groups are doing in present day to push _their_ political agenda… Also…. As I am already here….. I have to add this….. No one went to “Outer-Space” either in the beginning of the Space race (or ever since….) Earth’s orbit - is “Inner-Space” - our entire Solar System - counts as “Inner-Space”….. “Outer-Space” is what is out there _beyond_ our little Milky-Way Galaxy.

[@bobjazzman9038]

You don’t always have to be the fastest, just don’t be the slowest.

[@Tundrafreedom]

This comment is brutally honest

[@UltraJerky]

@Benjamin Freeman Seriously what i was thinking, i doubt it would have attacked if they all stood their ground and made noise. Even if it did attack i feel like 6 people could take a 300 pound black bear.

[@amosamwig8394]

they shouldve listened in the first place

[@Upper_echelon_exotics]

I would be the slowest probably...

[@Fion355]

@@UltraJerky Are you for real? Take the bear on with what? Their fists? No sir, you dont attack a charging bear head on, you either run fast enough or you dont go near it in the first place ......

[@bluebelle8823]

Komarov's whole story is so powerful. I had never heard that story before. That image is a lot to look at.

[@alexasvlogs5850]

I like how the dude cared more about his best friend than his own life 🥺

[@apenisagonewai4369]

Honor

[@7atez398]

And that's exactly why the American military fight for are people, are flag ,and the dude next to him in combat!

[@RealSolarAudio]

Selfless

[@cassiec512]

My grandparents and mom were going up to St. Helens to bring something to a scientist but got a flat tire at the bottom and that’s what saved them from the eruption and why I’m here today

[@lenamartin7941]

Wow

[@PhoenixLyon]

Could the scientist have been David Johnstone? He's the one who radioed Vancouver St. Helens was erupting. He is one of my personal heroes. ✌🏻🐱

[@gwendolyn1003]

Unfortunate

[@PhoenixLyon]

@@gwendolyn1003 Yes, it was unfortunate; however, he died doing what he loved. David is also the pioneer behind volcanic gas emissions testing. The gases are now monitored in hopes they could indicate a forthcoming eruption. Good from bad. ✌🏻🐱

[@everythingsucks6086]

MrBallen, I'm so happy you made your way over here to KZbin! Easily one of the most entertaining channels!!!

[@MrBallen]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@racheldesiwooandlacesmom244]

My favorite you tube as well as my favorite tik tok

[@charlescalvin5611]

@@racheldesiwooandlacesmom244 *youtuber

[@Westsideauditor1469]

@@charlescalvin5611 THANK YOU!!!! I hate it when people don't say it right.....lol!!!!

[@sonyakunkle]

Love this, John. I enjoy all of your stories, but this trio is amazing. Thank you!

[@LeAnderBean]

Mr Ballen is literally my number one story teller I've recommended his channel to fellow truckers and law enforcement when they're sitting there bored

[@MJ-oi5wb]

my son used to call me in the middle of the night while driving and share these kind of stories. Miss those days, even though I had be up in a few hours for work.

[@LeAnderBean]

@@MJ-oi5wb beautiful thing

[@monte5528]

Better not be any cursed pictures in this one!

[@racheldesiwooandlacesmom244]

😆 lol

[@gretchenwieners3621]

😂

[@alicewonderglass679]

🙈

[@MowiWowi]

True that

[@erins.3593]

I was just about to say the exact same thing when I saw your comment. I wasn’t looking at the screen when he said the first one in part 1 so I managed to dodge it but I don’t know if I’ll be so lucky this time around...

[@hannag4768]

Whenever confronted with a predatory animal: Do not run. There are different technics with every specie, but it's almost always the same tip when it comes to running or not. Do not. If you go into a spot known for its wildlife species that includes a potentially dangerous animal, always carry with you something to protect yourself incase you get into a situation where backing off isn't an option. Bear spray, a knife... Even a rape alarm can be your saving grace.

[@360.Tapestry]

there were six of them. they could've closed ranks to appear like one big animal and started shouting loudly, making as much noise as possible, picked up sticks and started brandishing or hitting them. obviously, they didn't even think about a contingency even though they knew full-well and decided to walk toward the area an aggressive bear was located

[@IchiJewSan]

@@360.Tapestry I was about to say the same. They were so confident that the bear wouldnt attack because there were six of them. But ironically enough they all ran away like it was every man for themselves. Which really contradicts their logic that the bear wont attack six people. The bear attacked one person. And it was the straggler of the bunch. Had the banded together and didnt run they mightve all gotten away. Its also pretty well known that running away only incites predatory behavior.

[@ZJS0113]

I was thinking more "shotgun with slug shells" not some g*y a*s spray or a r*pe alarm :')

[@sneersh9107]

It was a black bear, so best course of action would've been to make themselves appear as big as possible while screaming as loud as possible to try to scare it away, had they done that and stood their ground things could've gone differently

[@kalielik]

I've learned that depending on what is is, you should try to appear bigger and scarier, then also if you have to run, drop anything you have on you, a backpack or jacket to make the animal find that intresting for a while, and then also not to run in a straight line, zigzag a bit so the animal can't charge right at you. These are basic things I've learned but indeed they do depend on what you're dealing with. Most importantly though is to not disturb the animals and pay them respect. Those kids that went to take pictures of the bear and took it as a joke broke like all of those rules. Where i live there are bears, elks, wolves and other dangerous predators. Elk's aren't predators though but they can be dangerous.

[@GalacticCenterOG]

You have a great story telling quality about you. You say it as if you’re the people in each specific story and it shows. Hence why you have literally millions of subs.

[@hollyelledge2447]

Recommended MRBALLEN to a patient last night (night nurse), young guy, Army Vet, needed 'something', a bit lost, nice kid. I'm hoping he spends today on You Tube watching MRBALLEN and we have something great to talk about tonight. ❤ everything you put up!

[@MrBallen]

I hope he enjoys it too!

[@lilianapruitt155]

Please tell your friend, thank you for his service.. and you have a beautiful soul 😊👍

[@jmac3693]

Tell him to post a comment here saying holly sent me.

[@shanthanramsamy7421]

So Komarov basically saved his best friend's life who later went on to be the first man in space

[@kristinaexpat3843]

Komarov went into space first. The video was about that!

[@tusse67]

This was 1967. Gagarin went to space already in 1961. He was back up for Soyuz 1. BTW.. Gagarin died the following year in a planecrash.

[@rabbitguts2518]

@@tusse67 At the very least if you belive in an afterlife then they met again and likely bitched out thee Soviet Union in peace. Rip

[@mkoshelev]

Lol dude gagarin was first man in space everyone knows that ) Just like armstrong was first on the moon

[@huehufen2]

gagarin went into space first

[@cheridanbower8701]

I love the real picture stories❤️

[@n.f.lcobra6878]

Same

[@calebgreen9497]

Same ❤️

[@n.f.lcobra6878]

I also love missing 411

[@safehavencarequality1516]

Definitely agreed

[@safehavencarequality1516]

Bilal have some respect

[@Tavialatrice]

Mr ballen I love all your videos I'm completely hooked so thank you

[@gregorysmith5627]

I remember Mt. Saint Helen erupting. That was a scary day. I remember the sun not really shining as the ash piled up like snow, and chunks of pumice occasionally falling from the sky. My Dad was on some of the first search and rescue efforts to that area. Many more people died in that explosion than officials are willing to admit. Cool fact that not many people know, is that the pumice that fell from the sky, could float on water because so much air was trapped inside that it was actually bouyant. Essentially they were floating rocks I Used to have a big handful of it, but gave it away to friends across the years.

[@DavidWilliams-so2dy]

I remember it as well. I was 16. There was a haze of ash in the air as far south as Western Tennessee.

[@morticiaaddams7866]

Remember the lehar moving down the Tolt River?

[@DavidWilliams-so2dy]

@@morticiaaddams7866 No but I remember Lurch playing a rousing tribute on the harpsichord.

[@jennywhite3508]

I like to use pumice in my potting soil lol

[@Lil_Warrior_Princess]

I'm writing a novel about an ice age caused by a volcano right now and it starts exactly like that.

[@CezaMVO]

The last story is incredible. Talk about being a great friend. I hope everyone who forced him to do that mission is haunted with his death forever.

[@AndrewR23]

They’re already dead

[@NeonRahkshi]

@@AndrewR23 the statement still stands, let's hope they are still haunted by what they did, and will be forever, no matter what

[@ai-no3ib]

@@NeonRahkshi I don’t think they gave It a second thought, those people had no feelings, communist officials were heartless, they probably forgot about It the second the Funeral was over!

[@NeonRahkshi]

@@ai-no3ib I know, still worth hoping for though

[@coleytoons]

I was like 2 1/2yrs old when Mt.St. Helens erupted and living in Spokane WA. I remember it snowing in May and thinking how weird it was that it wasn't cold outside. And I remember not being allowed to go outside and play for a couple days and having to dig out our winter boots (aka moon boots) and it smelling like a camp fire when water gets dumped on it. To this day I still have a big glass Best Foods mayonnaise jar with the metal screw on lid full of Mt. St. Helens ash I'm going to be 43yrs old this December.

[@hoodiejam2967]

Dude that is so cool! ...tragic that that was ash of a deathcano... But cool

[@cedartheyeah.justyeah.3967]

@@hoodiejam2967 Deathcano lol

[@cedartheyeah.justyeah.3967]

Cool! Or hot because volcano.

[@natureterp]

I lived in central Oregon, near Bend. We also had ash falling from the sky, covering our cars and ruining the paint on them. I also have a few jars of ash still, and a cool black and white poster of the eruption. We couldn't play outside either for a few days. I'll be 49 this month.

[@Nate-wu8rr]

That is a cool story! Thanks

[@Lori_09]

I’ve been binge watching your videos these past few months. I think I finally found my favourite KZbinr! Keep up the great work, Mr Ballen. 🙂

[@jarydjackson8531]

Um... wow, dude. These are kind of intense. Imagine knowing you were about to die from a volcano eruption, picking up your camera to take photos and then being enough of a badass and smart enough to know you'll protect your film if you put yourself between it and lava thousands of degrees in temperature. Legend.

[@blondedawn7816]

It wasn't lava, it was a pyroclastic flow moving at over 250 mph.

[@ashyslashy3636]

man has dedication to his profession, rest in peace to that legend

[@QueerFrogRabbit]

Right! Total respect.

[@Niksky2]

These photos are total crap not worth of human live.

[@sweeneytodd011]

@@Niksky2 pretty disrespectful comment/ the guy was already screwed, he didnt deliberately die so he could take the photos he just made what he thought was the best out of the situation.

[@DHM91]

The last guy is the textbook definition of what a true friend is. RIP

[@michellepark604]

Dude, you find such great stories. I love how articulate you are and how you tell the story. I’ve been binge watching to try and catch up. Could you maybe explain the secret that I’m supposed to be looking for?

[@marylee9392]

When you start running bears see you as FAST FOOD.

[@rustyreese4006]

That happens with most predators. But bears are not completely predictable in their reactions and to assume that you know what they will do in most cases will be correct. But bears are known to attack without any reason apparent. It's rare but definitely well documented.

[@HK-lz6lj]

@@rustyreese4006 dogs do the same thing... they'll start chasing u if u run from them

[@mrbyte2k]

And like fast food, humans are full of cholesterol

[@Gottiline_Ace]

If the bear wants you, it's going to get you. Unless you go into the woods prepared, and don't do reckless and irresponsible stuff. When the people told the group the bear was stalking them, they knew what they were talking about. And they went anyways, with no sufficient weapon, bear mace, anything besides food and a camera... Standing your ground, playing dead, getting big and loud, that BS is a last ditch effort to survive. NOT A GUIDE TO HANDLING BEARS! They're frigging wild animals. They're irrational, unpredictable and powerful beyond your your comprehension unless you've seen it first hand.

[@Uhhhhhh_Idkman]

lol

[@Panthia_Poe]

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)

[@josephquinones5478]

🙄🙄🙉

[@Msfeathers7]

Yes. Amen.

[@ruslankontsimal7072]

That was my initial thought on the bear attack story. Obviously it’s possible he just couldn’t outrun the bear, but what if he purposefully slowed down to try to distract the bear or maybe even deliberately make the decision to give his life up to prevent the bear from pursuing his friends. That might explain why he was able to take the last picture.

[@jorgemontero4023]

Beautifully said dear lady

[@luckydal2059]

@@ruslankontsimal7072 I believe they’re referring to the last story where the man went to space, knowing he’d die, because if he didn’t go his friend would have to.

[@revenant777x8]

Never run from a bear. The bear jogging towards them was a test to see if they were food or not.. they all rang the dinner bell.

[@rizon72]

I've heard, look at the ears. If the ears are up it doesn't know where you are and to stay still. But if the ears are back, it knows where you are and, well, run.

[@coniccinoc]

Running is your best option as long as you are not the slowest person in the group.

[@luvmenow33]

And if you are going into an area with bears be sure not to bring any women on their period.

[@fozzybaws2359]

@@luvmenow33. They can smell the MENSTRUATION

[@fozzybaws2359]

@@luvmenow33. They can smell the MENSTRUATION

[@JESUS.IS.GOD.777]

Gotta love these double unskippable ads. I watch them gladly for Mr.ballen.

[@marauder7209]

"What could go wrong?" involves bears Well, I will go ahead and say "Bears, bears is what can go wrong!"

[@dynodish]

I think all Bears are individual. I rescued a big brown Black Bear once. I couldn't believe how big he was!

[@NeonRahkshi]

@@dynodish In all fairness he did say "can" lol and yes, some bears are precious 8)

[@mcrosemasters3060]

I got the chance to see a mama bear and her cubs up close. We didn't touch them or anything but I stayed at a cabin in the woods and whoever was there before us must of been feeding them off the back porch. But the bears came so close I could of reach out and touched them. I didnt because I was afraid mama bear would get mad and I had my kids with me. But it was very cool 😎

[@yeanah2571]

"They can smell the menstruation!"

[@kentuckyblugrass]

Komarov is a FN LEGEND. That is absolutely the most savage thing I've ever heard. Demanding the open casket, refusing to let anyone else take his place and cursing the ones that "allowed" the mission to go forward while ballistically plunging through the atmosphere to his demise. God Bless this man and his family.👊🙏

[@ijustchangedmyname7794]

Recovering from surgery, so perfect timing and much appreciated🤸🏽‍♀️ Also, congrats on the new baby boy!

[@brendashelton2542]

I had the honor of visiting Mt. Saint Helens a few years ago. The museums all had videos of the eruption and displays of volcanic bombs that spewed from the mountain that day. It hit with the explosive force of 500 atomic bombs sending ash and smoke 60,000 feet into the air. Trees fell over for miles and some are still there like bleached skeletons and the lake around the mountain dried up as if it was never there. The awesome force of nature is still there to see and worth the trip.

[@ManicMonkey84]

Turns out the bear came from a rich family and was known to be insecure. He frequently hung around the local ski resort challenging the tourists to silly contests, and he was know to have a long running feud with Darsh.

[@beno2662]

😂 That’s all I could think about while watching the bear story. Well played

[@ultraminecraft69]

I have been looking for this comment.

[@Nicksrgnt]

Staaaaan Darsh

[@CBass-mn5dy]

Lol...I thought of that episode too!! So funny.

[@loganflowers3133]

This sounds so familiar but I can't figure out the reference.

[@tracybrown2482]

This poor man's wife. She is also a hero for upholding his wishes.

[@pegleg2959]

Man travels to space and burns to death in a doomed rocket. But lets not forget his wife is also a hero, for listening to and respecting him. How heroic. Lmao.

[@tracybrown2482]

@@pegleg2959 without her arguing for it their government wasn't going to show his body. After her husband's death she had to stand there and argue for his twisted charred remains to be shown in public for everyone in the world to see because that's what he wanted. So yes she definitely is.

[@tracybrown2482]

@@pegleg2959 How disappointing you have such minimal respect for the dead. I'm in awe really. Memento Mori 🧿

[@pegleg2959]

@@tracybrown2482 how do you know that? Literally no one has said she had anything to do with it. Also, randomly accusing me of having 'no respect for the dead', basically attacking my character so you can feel like you're right, is incredibly disgusting and the sign of a narcissist.

[@tracybrown2482]

@@pegleg2959 🤣🤣🤣

[@daphneraven6745]

Komarov was absolutely right. If they were boss enough to send them up there, they need to be boss enough to see the results of their demands and lack of quality. I’ve just discovered your program recently. Really liking the content. Thank you very much.

[@bookbag-q4b]

Well said!

[@sonjarygg2331]

These stories are my favorite by far! Thank you and great work. 😁

[@devonlockwood1477]

I feel like the man who took the pictures of the volcano was a hero. The astronaut was a legend. Not at all to make light of his story.

[@SiltyCellar]

Nothing to say about darsh and for good reason no offence

[@Blak2001]

The first man was he pulled the tape and layer down on it to keep it from being destroyed

[@tylergable2445]

Yeah great pictures.. not 😂

[@Blak2001]

@@tylergable2445 you got to remember this was in the 80's

[@monkegames6133]

Cosmonaut*

[@ddmcomics2163]

Hii love your vids man look forward to them everyday

[@MrBallen]

Thanks!!

[@s2k-r7o]

MrBallen no thank you

[@t-rushin5813]

I agree!

[@bordersoldier]

If you like these stories please loosen the lug nuts on the like buttons car

[@bordersoldier]

If you like these stories please carefully place Saran Wrap across the like buttons toilet and put the seat down

[@puritymukunga49]

So the 2nd story.... They were warned that there was a pissed off bear before they went in and they ignored the internationally known phrase "don't poke the bear"

[@thephoenixking1086]

And then the bear itself was k*lled, that angered me so much. You can NOT Blame a Bear for doing what Bears do, only the idiots who go near it.

[@yoginc]

@@thephoenixking1086 yeah but it seemed that the bear was either rabid or had developed a liking for stalking humans. Once it had eaten a human, it would develop a taste for their flesh and eventually become a man eater and would find every opportunity to hunt human prey. In cases like this, there’s no other choice than to put it down. That’s why rangers can’t risk letting him live once he had eaten human flesh.

[@matthewtE]

Firstly, bears can fully sprint up steep mountains like it's nothing. Secondly, you're in that animal's everyday environment. They know how to stalk prey without being seen and they're damn good at it too.

[@Del-Canada]

"Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it!" - Yuri Gagarin

[@Heroickittens]

Dont forget about all the space garbage that is floating around our planet.

[@Del-Canada]

@@Heroickittens Most of that didn't exist when Yuri Gagarin made that quote.

[@gilgarza76able]

That’s why they say, “be faster then your buddy.” When being chased by a bear.

[@gibbyrockerhunter]

Lol. Truth. You don’t need to be the fastest person, just not the slowest.

[@harmony331000]

Or just don’t be the person running in the first place, that’s why they got attacked🙄

[@96Logan]

That's also how a lowly .22 revolver can save your life in a bear attack. One shot to your friend's knee cap is all it takes

[@gibbyrockerhunter]

Logan I started reading your comment thinking you’re an idiot. At the end I laughed and realized I have been wrong my entire life about bear etiquette. Thanks

[@WilliamWallace42]

First joke i was ever told when I was a little kid 2 men are walking in the woods when they come across an aggressive bear that starts charging towards them, one of the men calmly kneels down and begins tying his shoe laces, the other guy looks at him like he's crazy and says "what are you doing? You can't outrun a bear" The man simply replies "I don't need to outrun the bear, I just need to outrun you"

[@randomhuman805]

Fact: MrBallen needs 1 Million subscribers! (WHO ELSE AGREE’S?)

[@Alexlemay17200]

Check again lol

[@johngrepo9976]

Thank you for your presentation of this information- i have subscribed

[@andygarza8132]

The bear story, the group that went down the trail even after the warning of the bear, just unbelievable.... I hope those friends feel guilty. And I hope those photos were worth their friends life

[@taniak4509]

Why should the friends feel guilty? he actually wanted to go there nobody forced him to... He could have stayed back if he wanted to. Also, if a black bear is running towards you / attacks your friends there's no way you can save them. You can only save yourself by running away

[@andygarza8132]

@@taniak4509 they all could have been saved if they just had common sense.

[@taniak4509]

@@andygarza8132 yeah by just not going. Common sense.

[@07foxmulder]

@@taniak4509 Exactly. The OP is kind of a dunce.

[@NoNameEst1992]

@@andygarza8132 Yes if they ALL had common sense, the friends don't need to feel guilty though there all as stupid as each other