Thank you all for your feedback so far - I think several good objections were raised, which highlighted key areas where the theory needs refinement.
Here I want to collate and address those issues.
An Early CampMany assume the hikers were roused at night, citing their meal (likely dinner) and torch use as evidence of nighttime activity. However, winter sunset at 17:00 and pitch-black by 19:00 mean their last meal could have been a late lunch or a quick bite after pitching the tent between 14:00 and 16:00. The varying undress levels, scattered food, maps, and half a cup of cocoa suggest they were still active when disturbed. Maps (dyatlovpass.com) show they covered less distance that day due to steep terrain and poor weather, leading to a strategic early camp to correct their course the next day.
Firewood ExpeditionWood scarcity, noted in the last diary entry, was critical—damp ground wood was unusable, and a single log carried from the prior camp (1959 reports) underscored the need for more. With daylight fading but still available until 17:00, the nearby woods offered a prime chance to replenish stock for that night and the next—firewood isn’t a luxury but a necessity. Tibo and Zolotarev, well-equipped (no hypothermia or frostbite, autopsies) and rested after a short break, had the energy and incentive to hike to the woods. This was a planned excursion.
At the CedarTibo climbed the cedar for dry, windburned branches (facing the tent, cleared 5 m, green ones discarded), but fell 3–5 m, suffering a 6x8 cm skull fracture (autopsy) that left him unresponsive but showing signs of life for up to three hours. Searchers noted the systematic branch removal. Moving Tibo was challenging — likely prompting Zolotarev to leave him briefly to seek help.
A Call for HelpHearing Zolotarev’s shouts, the hikers slashed the tent and rushed out in a staged response. The plan was always to return—some, misled by the prior day’s “warm wind” (diary) about the -25°C cold (Ivdel data), underdressed, while others added layers and took torches. The orderly 8–9 footprints 30 m downhill (1959 reports), showing no limping, reflect their discipline, not a panicked flight. Snow (30–50 cm) or searchers likely erased initial tracks, but this was a purposeful rescue mission, not an abandonment.
Shelter Decision at the CedarReaching Tibo, the hikers grasped the severity of his head injury. Carrying him 1.5 km back to the tent over snowy, steep terrain proved impractical in the worsening weather. Instead, they opted to construct a small shelter in a nearby ravine, big enough for Tibo and a caregiver to spend the night. Other theories attribute the idea to construct the shelter to Zolotarev, the reasoning being that he likely survived similar conditions outside during his time in the front-line.
The hikers split into two groups and delegated tasks - The suitably dressed hikers, Zolotarev, Dubinina and Kolevatov, would find a suitable location for and begin construction of a shelter. The remaining hikers would remain near a fire, and gather suitable materials for the construction of the shelter. The hikers also made a temporary snowhole for Tibo until he could be transported.
OutcomeWhen enough material had been gathered the under dressed hikers attempted to return to the tent, but died of hypothermia.
The suitably dressed group, when attempting to transport Tibo the completed shelter suffered a three meter drop into the ravine. Dubinina and Zolotarev suffured their fatal injuries. Kolevatov remained sharing body heat with Zolotarev until he too died of hypothermia.
Internal conflictAn internal conflict is not central to this theory, the sequence of the events would be the same whether a fight within the group occurred or not. I only include it to explain some of the autopsy findings were some injuries can potentially be attributed to a fist fight. If a fight took place, it could only have taken place within the group as there is no evidence of any other persons having been there that night. If a fight indeed took place, only the cedar group were involved.
Your feedback has been crucial—please share any further insights