Well, Im sure a scientific publication like cracked mag will have indubitably done their due diligence, and their debunk sounds fair enough.....
Their theory does fit the facts as we know them, and it is interesting that there really are no records of the origonal incident,
That it has grown creepier with the addition of other details may be so....but other strange and unusual things have happened out in the Taiga of russia.
Theres the story of the crashed sace ship where watches wouldnt work, and time was wonky....
All kinds of wierd effects on that one....
The winter precludes ursines and i am not sure f there are snow leopards or puma type cats or wolverines there, but its doubtful any predator scared them out of their tents.....
The threat of avalanche doesnt seem logical in one sense, because where would they go if there was one?
Wouldnt it have been better to burrow down in place?
Obviously there was no avalanche anyways, so the threat would not have been long lasting....(i imagine they may have heard one in their proximity but not really on top of them.)
The broken bones sustained by some must have been sustained after leaving the tent as they would likely have in capacitated the runners...(ever run with broken ribs?) NOT!specially ones puncturing the heart as well.....
So, the avalanche sounded right on top of them....they slashed their way out and took off running in bare feet?
Naw.....it doesnt really make much sense.....
A winter camp in the show like that on the exposed hillside, they must have dug their tent down into the snow....
This would be normal.....so id think they would hunker down in case of avalanche.....hope it would be possible to dig out afterwards....

Radiation and lack of external injuries is consistent with reported alien technology.

How often have contactees noted a "metallic taste" during or immediately after a close encounter, among more drastic physiological effects indicative of radiation sickness?

Many report forces which appear to restrain their movement, which I believe could cause the type of fatal internal injuries found amongst the hikers, if they were to be used "offensively".

With out doubt one of the most frightening UFO/paranormal cases of all time! they all died horrific deaths! would love to know exactly what the Russian investigators REALLY found!

I have been an avid backpacker and mountaineer for 20+ years. I have gone out alone to temps at -30F. I would go snow camping backpacking every weekend regardless of weather, actually the worse it was out-the happier I was. Nothing, and I mean nothing that I can think of would compel me to "CUT" my tent so as to render it useless at a later time. I would not leave my tent without gear- I have been circled by mountain lions and bears all night- shooting at them as they beat a path around my tent, I would shoot at them with my pistol as they passed by the door. I never ran or left. It would have been suicide at those temps. I have skied glaciers with a guy who is now known as "hypothermia man" He developed severe hypothermia and he shook violently but was never scattered upstairs. The chance that one team member getting hypothermia, or two is possible. These were trained, skilled people from what I can tell. Very slim chance that all would get hypothermia at the EXACT same time and run, I just cant buy that at all. Mountaineers are skilled and are used to wild hungry animals, they expect them as you are a food source and you are likely cooking.
The hypothermia explanation does not add up- and the chance that they set up camp in an avalanche zone is unlikely as well. I never do that- why would you-there are usually other options.
Odd story- I have always found it interesting.
Nice post and thanks

the way they worded it, it sounds like the cedar tree killed them all.

DID IT?!?!?!?!?!