An early camp
The group would have set up camp between 14:00 and 16:00 on the slope of Kholat Syakhl on the 1st of February 1959. Photographs taken by the group that day show strong winds and poor visibility, the group was slightly off-course, this theory suggests the group decided to setup an early camp, perhaps with the intention of correcting their course the following day.
Maps of the campsite locations also show the group had covered less distance than on previous days — partially due to the increasing steepness of the ground and poor weather, but also due to the decision to set up an early camp.
Wood gathering mission
The scarcity of wood was mentioned in the group diaries, stating that what could be found on the ground was too damp to be of use. Though some firewood was found by researchers in the tent, the exact quantity is not mentioned, though it is mentioned that the wood would have been carried by the hikers from their previous camp — thus emphasizing its scarcity.
This theory proposes Zolotarev and Tibo either were selected or volunteered to search the nearby woods for suitable firewood for the cold night ahead. With perhaps an hour of remaining daylight and the nearby woods being too much of a good opportunity.
Some theories acknowledge both Zolotarev and Tibo were outside at the time of the tragedy, on account of their being suitably dressed for outside conditions, with most suggesting the duo had either stepped out to go to toilet or were perhaps on night duty. However, spending several hours outside on night duty, in sub-zero temperatures in a remote area far from civilization seems a most unlikely possibility. A toilet outing is equally unlikely — the tent entrance had been buttoned up, a task that is time consuming and arduous in sub-zero temperatures, it is highly unlikely they would have unbuttoned the entrance, buttoned it all up again, then return to repeat the process just a couple of minutes later. Zolotarev had his camera around his neck and a notebook in his pocket, this suggest neither a quick exit nor being aroused from sleep in an emergency. Rather this suggests the duo had stepped out with a purpose, most likely with some remaining daylight, and intended to be away for a significant period of time.
Remnants of a meal were also found in the tent, after setting up camp and a quick meal, the duo set off to the nearby woods.
The cedar
It was at the cedar tree that tragedy first struck. Tibo’s injury to his head would have left him unresponsive but showing signs of life for up to two hours, as per autopsy report. It is also noteworthy that Tibo showed none of the other types of superficial injuries common with the rest of the group . i.e. scrapes and minor bruises to hands — as he did not participate in the events that followed. This theory suggests Tibo climbed the cedar in search of dry branches, fell and suffered his head injury.
A call for help
Zolotarev returned to the tent, calling for help. Some slashes found on the tent are suggestive of someone having made them in order to peek outside, as the hikers might have done upon hearing shouts. Once the hikers understood that there was an emergency, they slashed the tent and rushed out to help. The hikers had not all yet begun to prepare for the night and were thus at different levels of undress. Doroshenko, who already had a reputation of confronting danger head on, rushed out severely underdressed for the conditions. Others, like Kolevatov, threw on some additional layers, but all ran out without shoes. The hikers may have underestimated how cold it was (the previous day’s diary entry reported warm wind) and how long they would be gone. As it was already getting dark a torch was left in the ON position on top of the tent, some hikers took torches with them.
The few remaining footprints show an orderly exit from the tent. The 1959 reports describe 8–9 sets of tracks with no limping or carrying, contradicting immediate severe injuries (e.g., rib fractures, skull fracture) from snow impact.
Group Dynamics and Outcome
At the cedar tree, the group found Tibo critically injured. The group prioritized Tibo’s rescue, splitting tasks: better-dressed members (Den group: Zolotarev, Dubinina, Kolevatov) began a snow shelter in a nearby ravine, while underdressed members (Cedar group: Dyatlov, Doroshenko, others) focused on looking after Tibo, fire-building and gathering wood for the construction of the shelter. Cedar group’s abrasions, per autopsies, suggest cedar tree climbing for wood.
Cedar group succumbed to hypothermia amid worsening weather. Den group, attempting to transport Tibo to the ravine shelter, fell 3 meters on a steep, snowy slope, causing fatal injuries to Zolotarev and Dubinina (crushed ribs, internal trauma). Kolevatov, the last survivor, shared body heat with Zolotarev until dying of hypothermia.
Analysis of Injuries
Autopsy Findings
Cedar group showed minor injuries: Dyatlov’s bruised knuckles, hand cut, and ankle marks (suggesting restraint); Doroshenko’s bloody lip and chest bruising; and left-side facial injuries on others, consistent with right-handed blows. These minor injuries suggest a possible physical altercation, per forensic literature.
Alternative Explanations
The minor injuries could stem from climbing the cedar tree (abrasions) or falls on ice, but the pattern of knuckle bruising, bloody lips, and facial trauma suggests a possible interpersonal conflict. Tree-climbing typically causes diffuse abrasions, not localized knuckle or lip injuries, and ice falls lack the specificity of right-handed blow patterns. The absence of non-hiker footprints (1959 reports) rules out external attackers, indicating any conflict was internal, confined to Cedar group.
Potential Conflict Triggers
If a conflict occurred, extreme stress may have triggered it. Yuri Krivonishenko’s early death from hypothermia, as autopsies suggest, could have sparked grief and panic. Psychological studies show that extreme cold, grief, and perceived poor planning (e.g., camping on the slope) can provoke aggression. The absence of knives (2024 expedition reports), despite cut branches, suggests they were discarded during this event.
Anomalies
Low-level radiation on Krivonishenko’s clothing align with his involvement in a clean up operation a couple of years prior.
Dubinina’s missing tongue is consistent with wildlife scavenging or accelerated decay due to her being found in a stream of water. Perhaps she bit off her own tongue in the fall that killed her.
Fireball reports likely reflect distant military tests unrelated to the tragedy.
Topic: Wood Expedition Theory (Read 849 times)
