Steve,
The south face of Cucamonga Peak was clear by Monday...like I predicted. Onto bigger and better things...
You have to prepare for the worst, period. Snow was in the forecast, a foot here in our locals and always more as you go north and higher. So, if they looked at that, it should have given them pause.
One did not take snowshoes, the other left them in the car. You have to have enough gear, clothing and food to be able stay put until someone gets there to save you when things go terrible wrong. If their shelter had not been compromised (and I don't know if it was or was not), they should have stayed put. Eventually, the one gentleman's wife would have reported them late.
Ellen Goodman stayed in the warming hut on San Jacinto for a night or two during a storm so bad, that winds hardened the snow on the trail rather let it accumulate...I was up there the day of her rescue.
They got very lucky.
