When I started this thread I didn't actually think that I would discover anything of interest, but I wanted to do this topic justice and approach it in an objective way. I was a skeptic of the Yeti theory. But I am no where near as skeptical now as when I started this thread.
I think there is clear evidence that the Dyatlov group were attacked by an ape(s) or an ape like creature. The feedback I have received on whether a normal ape would be capable of overwhelming 9 fit healthy tourists is reasonable. Given that there were axes, ice picks, knives and 9 physically fit and strong people why could they not have killed or at least driven a normal ape away? Also why would a normal ape be on Kholat Syakhl in a storm in the middle of nowhere? Yet the injuries sustained by at least some of the group are consistent with an attack from an ape,like creature. A creature capable of inflicting immensely powerful blows. A creature that had hands.
In previous posts ai have made some calculations around the hands of this creature. Thibo's head injury shape is consistent with shape of the pads of the hand. Either the ball of the thumb, or the pad on the side of the hand where the little finger is. The radius of curvature of the injury on Thibo's head is consistent with the radius of curvature of the pad of the hand. The force required to cause Thibo's head injury is beyon that which a human being can muster with their bare hands.
The pattern of injuries on Lyuda and Semyon is consistent with some kind of ape attack. The blows required to inflict those injuries would need to be in excess of 800kg force. The pattern of damage to the head and face and loss of soft tissue is consistent with being dragged around the ground violently. And yes Luda's eyes, tongue and Semyon's eyes could well have been ripped out by this creature, either during the assault or later after they had died.
With regard to the Yeti - what could be a myth is the size of their feet, and whether they are entirely bipedal or partly quadrupeds. If they are partly quadrupeds then their feet would not require to be that large as their weight would also be taken up by their hands as they moved about. However, the shape of their feet may be very close to humans.
Rustems head injury is also consistent with the same type of attack but to a lesser severity.
It seems zina and Dyatlov avoided a fatal confrontation with this creature, but died of hypothermia.
Yuris D definitely climbed the cedar in desperation to find safety. He probably clanged onto this tree for some time as his fingers and toes were so frost bitten by the time the fire was lit that hemwouldnhave had to have them amputated.
The witness statements say that when the group were descending the slope, some of the group members split off for a while and then came back to join the main group. This is odd. Why would they do that? Unless those that split off were not group members, or even human. Instead is it possible that they were ape like creatures, stalking the terrified group as they descended the slope, while periodically moving toward them and attacking them as descended? Initially, the group would have been strong and maybe capable of defending themselves, but as time went by the cold played its part, and slowly the group became weaker until they could not longer fend off any attacks?
When I examine a theory I like to find evidence to support it. Some the evidence is presented in previous posts on this thread. But there is something else that could be done:
1. I would suggest that an expert Primatologist examines any available photographs of the foot prints. Also, an expert Primatologist consider the pattern of injuries and the power required to inflict them.
For Lyuda's injury I have estimated a force in excess of 800kgs. I don't even think a Chimpanzee can inflict such sever injury or generate such force. A mountain Gorilla maybe, but even this would probably be at the limit of what it could do. Also chimps and Gorillas are normally gentle creatures unless deliberately provoked. So what was on the pass that night?
Regards
Star man