Vodka

[OLD JEDI 72]

Let's consider a whimsical supposition, purely speculative, of course. Imagine Zolo nicking that bottle from the drunk man on the train. Typically, that would've been Yudin's job, right? They're often painted as mere kids, and while Zolo was indeed older at 35, he was hardly ancient; still a hardy young man full of wit and guile. I notice some don't care for Zolo, labeling him a quitter or worse, but we should ask ourselves: if he was such a problematic figure, why was he even permitted to join? Why did he always carry that camera around? He certainly wasn't some secret KGB operative; more likely, he was just an older guy needing that final certification. Honestly, I'd prefer Zolo as a companion on a grade 2 hike over the immature Igor any day.
Regarding Ivanov, let's ease up on the criticism. He was simply trying to do his job as an investigator. He wasn't looking for fame or money; he had a family, a daughter, and his motivations weren't sensationalistic.

And speaking of non-sequiturs and ad hominems, let’s keep the discussion constructive. Sure, some of us may not have access to the latest research tools (not me), but that's no reason to dismiss anyone's ideas outright. We all bring something valuable to this discussion, even if some of our spelling suffers after a bit of vodka! (guilty as charged, haha).

[ahabmyth]

If implying that booze (maybe after erecting the tent and settling down during that furious snowstorm) ,I think not. Although They may have been able to hide a bottle the bottle itself would not have been 1ltr or something, more likely it was decanted into a hip flask and that certainly would not have been enough to get blotto and devise an insurrection at 1079. They were authorised to carry a flask in any case , probably for medical purposes.
And everyone reacts differently to alcohol . To have a few or all to act violently or just dumb would not be probable and lets not forget after the tent being ripped open they march quite orderly down the slope.----- I would be the one on the left.

 

[OLD JEDI 72]

Yes, AI. ChatGpt. I was just being goofy. A mystery bottle of booze would explain a lot.

[Hunter]

You have not lived in the USSR and post-USSR countries, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus. So, we had gopniks - petty criminals and the youth who imitated them, who made a living by street robbery and "scams", the essence of which is to force a person to voluntarily share money or other valuables. It is quite possible that on the train there was an attempt to scam tourists.

[OLD JEDI 72]

You have not lived in the USSR and post-USSR countries, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus. So, we had gopniks - petty criminals and the youth who imitated them, who made a living by street robbery and "scams", the essence of which is to force a person to voluntarily share money or other valuables. It is quite possible that on the train there was an attempt to scam tourists.

Or vice versa. And no matter where one lives, we all have our gopniks, we call them burnouts, or mall rats here lol.

[Hunter]

The situation described in the group's diaries is a typical "scam". It was no secret that tourists almost always had alcohol with them on ski trips. And a citizen could decide to "improve his health" (that's what they call a hangover cure) at the expense of tourists.

[ahabmyth]

You have not lived in the USSR and post-USSR countries, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus. So, we had gopniks - petty criminals and the youth who imitated them, who made a living by street robbery and "scams", the essence of which is to force a person to voluntarily share money or other valuables. It is quite possible that on the train there was an attempt to scam tourists.

Or vice versa. And no matter where one lives, we all have our gopniks, we call them burnouts, or mall rats here lol.

Yeah here in Australia we call them Politicians.

[OLD JEDI 72]

You have not lived in the USSR and post-USSR countries, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus. So, we had gopniks - petty criminals and the youth who imitated them, who made a living by street robbery and "scams", the essence of which is to force a person to voluntarily share money or other valuables. It is quite possible that on the train there was an attempt to scam tourists.

Or vice versa. And no matter where one lives, we all have our gopniks, we call them burnouts, or mall rats here lol.

Yeah here in Australia we call them Politicians.

I'm pretty sure they're called Bogan's there. 

[OLD JEDI 72]

The situation described in the group's diaries is a typical "scam". It was no secret that tourists almost always had alcohol with them on ski trips. And a citizen could decide to "improve his health" (that's what they call a hangover cure) at the expense of tourists.

Do you think it possible they got drunk and whenever whatever happened, happened, they were unprepared because they were intoxicated? I know from first-hand experience that when working out or cross-country skiing for example, I would get drunker because the blood is flowing and the heart beating faster. These were kids, in their 20s. All it would take is for them to each have one big drink while they sat in the tent and they would be completely fried. Possible aggressiveness as a result is not out of the question.

[Hunter]

It is unlikely that they drank much during the hike. Alcohol was then considered a remedy for frostbite - they rubbed the affected areas of the body with it. Already at the end of the hike, when the group reached the final settlement, they could drink alcohol. But they often diluted it with water 1 to 1 to get vodka.

[ahabmyth]

You have not lived in the USSR and post-USSR countries, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus. So, we had gopniks - petty criminals and the youth who imitated them, who made a living by street robbery and "scams", the essence of which is to force a person to voluntarily share money or other valuables. It is quite possible that on the train there was an attempt to scam tourists.

Or vice versa. And no matter where one lives, we all have our gopniks, we call them burnouts, or mall rats here lol.

Yeah here in Australia we call them Politicians.

I'm pretty sure they're called Bogan's there. 

Nah Bogans IMHO are just strange ,living 30 or 40 years ago life eg having a mullet for a hair style or a country style house with old furnishings. Not modern.
Now Scum or Lowlifes are the people who would scam others.

[sarapuk]

Let's consider a whimsical supposition, purely speculative, of course. Imagine Zolo nicking that bottle from the drunk man on the train. Typically, that would've been Yudin's job, right? They're often painted as mere kids, and while Zolo was indeed older at 35, he was hardly ancient; still a hardy young man full of wit and guile. I notice some don't care for Zolo, labeling him a quitter or worse, but we should ask ourselves: if he was such a problematic figure, why was he even permitted to join? Why did he always carry that camera around? He certainly wasn't some secret KGB operative; more likely, he was just an older guy needing that final certification. Honestly, I'd prefer Zolo as a companion on a grade 2 hike over the immature Igor any day.
Regarding Ivanov, let's ease up on the criticism. He was simply trying to do his job as an investigator. He wasn't looking for fame or money; he had a family, a daughter, and his motivations weren't sensationalistic.

And speaking of non-sequiturs and ad hominems, let’s keep the discussion constructive. Sure, some of us may not have access to the latest research tools (not me), but that's no reason to dismiss anyone's ideas outright. We all bring something valuable to this discussion, even if some of our spelling suffers after a bit of vodka! (guilty as charged, haha).

Surely you are not suggesting that all that happened was a result of VODKA ! ?