So I gather the main gist of this topic is the fact that the tent was not on the mountain but in the treeline and that authorities had moved the tent up to the mountain level that we see in "most" of photographic evidence. And that the tent being specifically made to be hung between two trees with the assumption that the Cedar and the Fallen Cedar were the trees used to facilitate the erection of the tent.This would also demand that the task of erecting the tent meant that practically all of the 9 were there, when a small contingent of 4 was tasked with finding more firewood the concept of them all falling in the ravine without being heard dosnt make sense as the Cedar and the rest of the group were found only 260ft away and screams for help would easily be heard. Again this would indicate that the rest of the group had already set off up the mountain leaving the 2 too keep the fire going (without fuel) possibly hearing screams for help but being unable to help due to the cold.
Not being as familiar with this subject as many others I need to fire some questions at you.1.Have the roots of the fallen tree been found to be near enough for the other end of the tent to be supported.ie more than 9-10mtrs between them.
2. Was the heater still in its box and unused on the fateful night.
3.What could have been the excuse for not having a bigger fire if all the hikers had made it to this spot.
4. What would be the reason for climbing the tree and snapping off branches for the fire when they had 7 others looking for fuel (speaking of which ,unless already drunk the Vodka would have been great for starting a fire ).
5.Why were not many more footprints ie compacted snow found around the Cedar and treed areas.
6.Why were the bodies of the three found going up the mountain.( Zina actually made it through the rocky area )and maybe had the flashlight that was found in sight.
7.Why was Igor the most experienced in the group in the 3 found going up the mountain. Whatever the reason he lacked the skill to keep up with the other 2 (although I suppose he was tired after carrying the tent maybe).
8. OK I havnt read the book which may have answered many of these questions ( I am not a book person ) and I must congratulate all of you for not divulging what was a probably good theory of what happened.
9. NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CASE - It is mentioned and seen that many times these types of tent are erected using skis. Now unless the ground is really soft you wouldnt have a cat in hells chance of penetrating the soil and holding them firm enough with snow wouldnt IMHO be possible so how do they do it. Small tent maybe but this tent was 4mtrs long, and I know IGOR wanted to test something for erecting ( I love this word). But may have given this a miss due to the harshness of the weather.
11.I cant get my head around this tree theory. Thinking ok the last slice of the fallen tree was rotten, but in 1959 it would have had a lot more normal wood inside (its been 60 years). However the snapping of the roots and indeed the tree itself if it is still attached the roots would have made a terrifying noise which certainly would have inspired concern in the tent even over the sounds of the howling gale. But again was the damage done to the hikers enough to warrant them leaving what was left of the tent.
12. Anybody know if the rope of the tent snapped or ripped off the attaching eyelets. Ok enough for now.

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