Slash, then walk?

[SURI]

Yes, this plan for February 1st involves Zolotaryov and his accomplices. I wouldn’t say everyone climbed out through the slit; apparently only the last ones did so under duress, and the tent might have collapsed as a result. Before that, they cut small holes for observation, so they stayed in the tent for some time. The threat at that moment was outside, "working" on its task.

Okay, so the hikers inside the tent knew there were assassins outside. Possibly Zolotaryev told them and was holding them there by threat or force, while he took pictures of the flashing lights. The hikers cut slits in the tent to keep an eye on what was happening outside, where the assassins were setting up a scene. Then they began to panic and leave by the entrance and possibly by the slit they cut in the tent, but they did not put on their jackets or shoes before they left. Slobodin forgot to take his second boot. By this time, the assassins were finished setting up the scene. They lined up the hikers and marched them down the slope.

I don't think this can be fully explained on a public forum the way you imagine. What is essential is Ivanov's conclusion in his later letters — a conclusion you can find and decipher.

[GlennM]

Reminds me of the ghost math teacher who says to the class, " if you do not understand the solution written on the blackboard, I'll go through it again".