Due to the continued misinterpretation of this photograph, I am re-posting the "Yeti Theory" section of my multi-part post on the Dyatlov Pass Incident. [with some added comments and data].

Original photo from the Dyatlov camera

This explanation [for the deaths] was not the first one presented by the authorities. The first blame was attached to the Mansi with the proof being the famous [or infamous] photo of the figure in the trees. It was said that Mansi hunters were stalking the hikers in order to ambush them and murder them. That theory was soon discarded.

The photo was then replaced with the rest of the photos from that camera as not having a bearing on the events that led to the hikers deaths.

Enlarged and blurry photo used in the documentary

It is not until the June, 2014 airing of the [alleged] documentary by the Discover Channel that the photograph gains a new life. "Russian Yeti : The Killer Lives" was introduced to the world as the explanation for what caused the deaths of the 9 hikers. The story, as presented by the producers, director and writers of the show, shocked and amazed and titillated the audience. And suddenly we all knew that one or more Yeti stalked and murdered the hikers.

Knowing just a few elements of the story, I watched this program. And became amazed and "knew" what had happened. But, being the researcher I am, I started looking for more information. And saw how slanted the explanation was. And how it had been done entirely for sensationalism. Monsters sell. Monsters make a good program. Monsters draw viewers. Monsters grow ratings. Monsters make sponsors happy.

You see, there really isn't any evidence to support the Yeti Theory.

Massive jaw drops. Sorry, readers. I say again, there really isn't any evidence to support the Yeti Theory.

Take the "diary" entry that allegedly talks of the existence of the Yeti. Doesn't exist. There is no mention of a belief in Yeti, of seeing a Yeti, of seeing giant footprints of a Yeti in any of the diaries. The only mention of Yeti among the hikers' writings was in a satirical pamphlet/newsletter that the hikers made up during their night time hours.

Typed copy of the pamphlet that the group was in process of writing. [Original handwritten in Russian]

The missing tongue allegedly yanked out and eaten by a Yeti : The program failed to mention that the rest of the woman's face was also decomposing and the loss of soft tissue is common due to other factors. The melting snow and ice were flowing over her head and hastening the disintegration of the flesh. In fact, her body and the bodies of the others found by the stream were hastily excavated from the snow to prevent further loss of tissue.

The claim was made that the files remain classified. But yet they never provided any evidence to prove that the files ever were classified. In fact, if one goes to the official website for the Dyatlov Pass Incident, there are photos and reports all available for anyone to read. [Of course, as the originals are in Russian, those who do not speak or read it must rely on the English translations.]

One searcher allegedly stated that he saw a military style boot lying near the tent. Conclusion : the Russian military was involved in the deaths of the hikers. Well, one of the hikers had served in the military. It is entirely possible that he kept the boots provided him. They may have been sturdy and good for hiking. Clothes and footwear were not always readily available for everyone. The boot, if it existed, may have belonged to him. I find it difficult to believe that the military came, attacked and murdered the hikers and then one of them removed his boot, left it behind as a clue, and marched off with the others with one bare foot. In deep snow. Flirting with frostbite. And the eventual loss of his toes.

The claim that no military were involved. That is false. The military joined in the search and rescue attempt. The remaining four bodies were recovered using  military personnel.

Dr. Igor Burtsev, scientist and researcher, talked about the production crew. He explained that they came to him with a preconceived agenda.

"I was interviewed by [Russian Yeti: the Killer Lives director] Neil Rawles too. I understood that he was making a program to fit the solution of the puzzle under the ready answer. And he tried to get from me the same answer about fault of the Yeti in group's death. For this he was shooting me many times asking only one question : Could be Yeti a reason of the death? But I couldn't agree and rejected that . . . "

And again we come to the key "evidence" in the Yeti Theory : The figure in the woods. The photo [see above] was flashed onto the screen with the statement :
"The following image is one of the last photos taken by the hikers. It is being shown on television for the first time." It was presented as evidence of a Yeti stalking the hikers.

Well, they were correct that it was the first time the photo was shown on tv. BUT : There is no evidence that this is one of the last photos taken. There were multiple cameras among the members of the group. In fact, this photo was taken in the middle of a roll of film. Most who look more closely at the photo state the photo is of a man. Probably one of the hikers. Nikolay Thibeaux-Brignolle [one of the hikers] was known for his good natured horseplay. There are several photos among the camera that show him and the others in the group having a good time playing around in the snow.

The surrounding photos of this figure do show the hikers playing in the snow and shows them setting up a camp [not the last destroyed camp]. Some say that the photo could even be one of Dyatlov himself. He was not fond of having his photo taken and was a private person. It is theorized that he retreated from the playful group to relieve himself and was caught on film as he emerged from the trees to rejoin the rest of the hikers.

I believe the figure in the photo is most likely one of the group. There is a difference in the colors of the top part of the torso and the lower part  and the legs. The arms look a little slim.

Photo from hiveminer.com Photo credit :Flickr.com

Now, I do believe that there is some sort of Yeti, Almasty, Menk, or whichever name you wish to use, living in the Urals and surrounding areas. I just have a hard time believing that this is a photograph of one stalking them or that they killed these hikers.

So, what is my theory? What do I think happened to the 9 hikers?

I don't know. Each theory [of the 75 or so currently being tossed around] has some good points [of the ones I chose to discuss in the other portions of my posts]. And each fail to account for one or more of the known facts or evidence.

All I do know is that something or someone or some event caused these 9 people to leave their tent in the dead of the night, partially clothed and with minimal footwear. They did not run screaming into the night but walked down the slope to the tree line. They appear to have tried to set up some sort of camp. At least, someone made a fire and at least some of the hikers appear to have climbed the cedar tree to set up a watch on their tent. I think that they were there waiting for the "Den" to be finished by the other 4 hikers. Something happened to severely injure those 4 and prevent them from taking refuge inside, or to summon the others waiting under the trees.

Eventually those by the tree either saw the coast clear or decided it was betterto face whatever had happened at their tent rather than freeze to death. They waited too long and did not make it.

The cuts in the tent? We have no evidence to support who made the cuts. Or why. We have testimony that the cuts were made from the inside, not the outside. There is no discernable reason for them to have another way out of the tent.

As for the missing knife used to cut the branches used for the Den and at the cedar tree. There was many feet of snow. The bodies were covered by snow. For all we know, the knife could still be lying there under the snow. Or was found by another hiker or one of the Mansi and became the useful property of a new owner.

This will most likely remain one of the biggest mysteries in history. And it will continue to be discussed in the Cryptid Community. [Despite the lack of real evidence that it is cryptid related]. Perhaps the reopening of the case will disclose new evidence or old evidence that fresher eyes can find some other interpretation.

For full references please use source link below