You don't run downhill from a pending avalanche, and the footprints going down from the tent don't indicate any running or falling, which would be likely in tho

You don't run downhill from a pending avalanche, and the footprints going down from the tent don't indicate any running or falling, which would be likely in those conditions at night. The Katabatic Wind says they thought the tent was about to be destroyed by the wind, exposing them to deadly cold from the high winds. So they sought shelter in the forest below. It's one of several wind theories. But agreed that if they had the teime to stabalize the tent with packed snow, they had time to grab their shoes and warmer clothing. All the theories are flawed in one way or another.