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1

General Discussion / Re: Wood Expedition Theory

« Last post by ZuriDog on Today at 10:40:42 AM »

Except those nearby woods were 1 1/2klm away and over an area strewn with jagged rocks and I think a ravine. Igor would have been aware of this as he had been there before and even had his alternative route which I think they took.
As for climbing up the tree, well someone had to collect wood but looking around at the available pics we have, there seems to me to be quite a reasonable amount of it around the tree, and a lot safer than climbing a tree which must have had one side covered in snow and also the chance of having the snow laden tree itself shaking off of its load , which is probably the cause of someone falling off. And these were experienced hikers.

You noticed that correctly. The tree was not climbed for firewood.

The group diary says - what can be found on the ground is too damp to be of use.

Also looking at pictures of the cedar scene, none of the trees appear to have any significant amount of snow on them

2

General Discussion / Re: Wood Expedition Theory

« Last post by SURI on Today at 09:11:03 AM »

Except those nearby woods were 1 1/2klm away and over an area strewn with jagged rocks and I think a ravine. Igor would have been aware of this as he had been there before and even had his alternative route which I think they took.
As for climbing up the tree, well someone had to collect wood but looking around at the available pics we have, there seems to me to be quite a reasonable amount of it around the tree, and a lot safer than climbing a tree which must have had one side covered in snow and also the chance of having the snow laden tree itself shaking off of its load , which is probably the cause of someone falling off. And these were experienced hikers.

You noticed that correctly. The tree was not climbed for firewood.

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General Discussion / Re: Wood Expedition Theory

« Last post by SURI on Today at 08:53:44 AM »

The shelter was built for 4 people from the ravine, because the others were no longer alive at that time.

We only know that they were the last to be found.
But it is not a fact that they were the last to die.
We do not know in what order they all died. It is a matter of imagination.

The clothes the four of them were wearing from both Yuris suggest something else. And so does the construction of a shelter for 4 people.

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General Discussion / Re: Wood Expedition Theory

« Last post by ahabmyth on Today at 08:05:55 AM »

Except those nearby woods were 1 1/2klm away and over an area strewn with jagged rocks and I think a ravine. Igor would have been aware of this as he had been there before and even had his alternative route which I think they took.
As for climbing up the tree, well someone had to collect wood but looking around at the available pics we have, there seems to me to be quite a reasonable amount of it around the tree, and a lot safer than climbing a tree which must have had one side covered in snow and also the chance of having the snow laden tree itself shaking off of its load , which is probably the cause of someone falling off. And these were experienced hikers.

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General Discussion / Re: Wood Expedition Theory

« Last post by Axelrod on Today at 05:04:30 AM »

The shelter was built for 4 people from the ravine, because the others were no longer alive at that time.

We only know that they were the last to be found.
But it is not a fact that they were the last to die.
We do not know in what order they all died. It is a matter of imagination.

6

Murdered / Re: Murder Indead

« Last post by ahabmyth on Today at 04:37:12 AM »

People talking about leaving the tent after say - a slab slide, not enough to collapse the tent though but could have put strain on the buttoned door. The result of which is having to cut their way out. In doing so the wind would play a factor by either billowing or collapsing neither of which would feel pleasant. So a decision is made.
People also mention about trained killers and making the group freeze to death. All I can say about this is for what reason and to say that its possible to follow people for days (dont forget Igor took a different route) and be just as cold as the group was, to eventually take over their tent with no fire ( unless of course the killers made them go down to the Cedar and fetch them some firewood) IMHO I dont think its in the realms of possibility.

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General Discussion / Re: Wood Expedition Theory

« Last post by SURI on Today at 03:48:43 AM »

The shelter was built for 4 people from the ravine, because the others were no longer alive at that time.

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General Discussion / Re: Wood Expedition Theory

« Last post by ZuriDog on June 30, 2025, 10:11:43 PM »

One part I keep circling back to is the orderly footprints. If Zolo had rushed back calling for help, and everyone tore out in a panic, you’d expect a real mess of tracks, maybe some dragging or clustering. Instead, those first prints show a calm single file. And why would he leave Tibo? Also, that last clear shoed footprint at the tent edge suggests someone stepped out deliberately, probably to see what the shouting was about. It doesn’t feel like everyone rushed out together in a blind sprint.

I think whatever Zolotarev's decision, whether to get Tibo back to the tent or find alternate shelter, would have been easier with the help of others. The plan was to get a couple of more people down at the cedar and get things done faster.

Yes the footprints seem to contradict a panic exit from the tent, however the footprints immediately outside the tent were either covered by snow or obliterated by the search party, it is hard to say what these prints would have looked like.
The prints that were found started some 30 meters away from the tent and by now the initial responders could appreciate the harshness of the terrain without shoes.
I think not everyone rushed out in a panic either, perhaps Dyatlov, Doroshenko and Krivonishenko rushed out to help quite unprepared - the remaining hikers would have put on a couple of more layers, gathered torches and followed closely behind.

EDIT: also just to repeat my point - they had never intended to be away from the tent for too long. The plan was to assist with the rescue and return. They underestimated both temperature and time.
The shelter they constructed was not large enough for all hikers, I think only two or three people max were intended to spend the night there. The others were to return after the construction of the shelter. Which is indeed what happened, only of course they didn't make it.


And I agree with you, poor Zolotarev is treated quite harshly by many theories. I think he felt attaining his category three certification would merit him some recognition from his coworkers. I think he was just a guy trying to secure a better future for himself and his family.

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General Discussion / Re: The Cedars.

« Last post by ahabmyth on June 30, 2025, 06:26:37 PM »

Ok back at the Cedars now. I noticed on one page that "The Cedar" was bent (curved) approx 4'-5' from its base, whilst on other pages it is as straight as a die. Can anyone clarify this or offer an explanation. Yes I do realise that pics taken from different angles will have this effect, and cant remember if the remnants of the fire was on this page.
I will endevour to find these pics (shouldnt be too hard should it).If its any help the bend on the tree is towards the higher ground.

10

General Discussion / Re: Clothes

« Last post by OLD JEDI 72 on June 30, 2025, 06:51:12 AM »

GlennM, yes there is some fact finding as it will be a lot quicker having your guys feedback as some of you have been here for years.
Just to embellish some of your statements, I think there wasnt a flexible arrangement for heavy duties as I have read that Dubinina had been shot in the foot and that the group had lightened her load by sharing some of it. So if Zina escaped the tent weight as well, then there wasnt entire flexibility.
Just stating facts as they could have bearing for others theories.
Regarding the clothing worn by the two who stepped out of the tent first (we think ). Obviously they would have been warmer and it would have been a case of following someone to the loo like ladies do or they had a quick smoke or something else.
What has me baffled (besides everything) is the state of undress of the others. On nights like this wouldnt they just keep all their gear on to keep warm as there was not supposed to be having Igors famous stove to keep warm. Does one think that the clothes worn on exit were an assortment whether the footprints attest to this or not, and that maybe all mixed clothing was done at the Cedar "area". I have heard mention of the "chinese" torches but think i saw somewhere 2 off miners lamps,could have been a simple mix up in the dark. But again the Search party were supposed to have found the tent quite neat and orderly. I'm soooooooooooo confused.
I am thinking of going back to my original idea of arguments and Igor cracking it, and just slashing the tent as some sort of weird fateful experiment for their unsuccessful level 3 achievement.

From what I understand it wasn't that cold at first. They described the air as warm and loud like from a jet engine. When studying the temperatures that day and night there was a MASSIVE temperature inversion that night that probably caught them off guard. It might even have happened after they left the tent, hence why they were so underdressed in some cases.