From the diaries, I find that the DP9 are a group characaterized with intelligence, idealism, petulance, sexual repression, nicotine withdrawal and some inexperience. None of those are incriminating and none of it is out of the ordinary. They were regular intelligent people enjoying what freedom they could have as a group without supervision. They were also achieving something of merit in the process. It was not a total lark ( waste of time). " The whole world will know of this", is a bit of jolly hubris, nothing more.
On their hike to Ortoten, Igor decided that if they took the ridge route rather than the forest route, they could round Ortoten and make it back to their cache is just a few days. The price for doing this was to spend one cold night on 1079. They would have a warm night at the lake, go around the mountain and probably have another cold night on 1079 before getting back to their cache on the Auspira. He knew exactly where the group was going, Igor did not miss Dyatlov Pass. They took the high pass.
The weather and conditions, according to journals was quite variable, but consistently cold. As such, taking the easy path of going on the not completely frozen river was ruled out. Following deer and hunter trails only got them so far. Inventing a group method for plowing deep snow was physically taxing. Trying to keep to a daily schedule when cold bodies don't want to rise in the morning was a reality. Nobody likes to be told!
So, they cold camp on 1079. Common sense dictated they would dig in under a steeper slope rather than a shallow one. The steeper slope provides more wind shelter. Too, they are going to dig in where the snow is softer and deeper, not on dry rocky ground. This they did. They did not fear an avalanche because anyone could see that 1079 was not the place for one. They did not anticipate that a slab slide would affect them. The variable weather produced sufficient snow buildup and wind pressure to precipitate a slab slip. They wanted to work smarter, not harder.
Bad things happen to good people. A slab slide happened. Risking suffocation, they cut themselves out of the tent. From there, they made their way to the forest to wait for daybreak. All else became a consequence of the unforgiving Russian winter.
We need no conspiracy, no plot, and no coverup to explain their tragedy. In fact doing so is to discount the intelligence, determination and resourcefulness of the group. Where they did not succeed, neither could any of us.
The families of the DP9 deserve the respect of the forum, not the incessant need to make them victim of some out of control boogie men.
Topic: What are the two things? (Read 4549 times)