Personally I don't rely on the photos (made from the films found by the two search parties) as sound evidence for events during the tour.
Several of these photos pose more questions than answers.
If I am not mistaken, on loose photo no 6. a long ski - around 2 meters long - is visible.
As far as I am aware, only Yuri Yudin had used this long size of skis.
I am aware that at least several documents state that Yuri Yudin had left the tour at 2nd settlement.
My point is:
- How is is possible that one long ski is visible on this photo, while Yuri Yudin had already left the tour?
- Had Yuri Yudin stayed the fatal night for 7 group members together with Zinaida and Rustem in the re-erected tent on one ski pole and left the next morning to alert the authorities? Three persons lying together under several blankets in the tent had easily survived that night, and Yuri Yudin had well been able to return to 2nd settlement the next morning.
This photo is of course no sound proof, that he - or another person - had stayed longer on the tour than several documents state.