A variation of the expression "familiarity breeds contempt" might be applicable here "familiarity breeds complacency". It's been my experience that the more times a peak is climbed the less attuned we become to its objective risks - just human nature. Couple that with bad luck, and people can get injured or killed.
More hikers on a peak do not always make it safer for ourselves or others. This is particularly true of Baldy's bowl. Depending upon conditions, more people on a route can create rockfall and/or avalanches for those below.
It seems that Baldy has always been an oft-climbed peak for many people, probably due in large part to its accessibility and proximity to a large population center. It's not a peak I seek out when I'm looking for solitude. OTH, sometimes for me it's great fun to experience a peak with many others. Just depends upon the day.
