This is an excellent response, thanks.
I can not see 9 experienced outdoor people panicking at the same time. One maybe or two but not 9, including a combat veteran.
I agree, but what would affect them and force their action? The interior of the tent did not seem to point to a panic response.
The 'evidence' as presented makes no sense to me:
walking in bare feet or socks in -17 does not leave freezing foot prints. walking in slush that freezes does but this happened at night and the temps were not near freezing
Is not -1< far below freezing? Walking in bare feet of socks is simply crazy. I agree.
not lighting the camp stove, the very first priority when winter camping is to get a source of heat established. it is necessary for both heat and melting snow to drink, both of which are vital in these conditions. eating snow as a source of moisture is only done in extreme cases because it lowers the inner body temps too much to be worth it
I would certainly want a warming fire and hot food in those conditions.
walking down a slope for that far and then making a sharp turn to get to a cedar? if there is an avalanche or threat, you DO NOT go down hill, you go sideways into the trees
I believe that is true. It reminds me of swimming sideways to get out of a rip current.
lighting a fire with frozen hands, in the dark (a full moon isn't much help under trees) finding tinder and firewood in the dark and with the wounds on the hands
And yet a fire seems to have been made. Could it be from the rescue party? It is improbable that criminals would start a fire, unless to warm themselves while others suffer.
the injuries do not make sense for a natural occurrence, nor does leaving a lit fire,
I do not know what injuries would make sense, to be honest,it would make sense to leave a lit fire by bringing some to the next location.
so I believe there was a cover up, a poorly done one because THEY were not used to having to cover things up. when THEY said X happened, everyone said yes it did, as was pointed out, these were people who questions would be asked
There lies the problem. Just what is there to cover up that that would cost nine lives? A fallen tree? Who would be to blame? A munition? How would anyone know where to look? Yuri Yuden really suspected a military SNAFU. If so, someone knows, even today.
I do not believe it was intention murder, it was an accident that would expose or embarrass someone
That person was more important than the DPI 9. Any guesses?