Indigenous Mansi
The hikers wrote several journal entries and took photographs of Mansi markings on the trees. Indigenous Mansi in the area led a semi-traditional way of life, hunting, fishing, and herding reindeer. Despite their hold on tradition, they adopted some of the modern technology and lifestyle of Russian and Soviet culture. This theory suggests the hikers crossed into Mansi territory.
The Mansi were known to have been in the region; a Mansi chum (a temporary shelter) was found 61 meters (200 feet) from the Dyatlov camp. Perhaps the hikers stumbled into a religious, sacred area, or Mansi-claimed hunting areas. Or maybe some Mansi wanted to rob the hikers and steal their gear, given the difficulties of living in the Kholat Syakhl region. Mansi would have known how to assault the hikers and cover their tracks, using their advanced hunting skills.
