People want to do, they don't necessarily want to do what is required to do it safely.
This describes what goes on at Mt. Whitney in the early shoulder season. People figure out they will have to deal with snow and ice, if they are going to reach the summit on the day of their permit reservation. Then, they scramble to learn about the gear they need but rarely the skills required.
Generally, when the trail has been beaten in through the cables, this is a walk-up requiring Microspikes and trekking poles. However, people need to be able to recognize on the way up, where the problems lie for the descent. If they do not have the ability to recognize areas that will be impassible for them descending, they will those who stop to help them at risk.
If you don't want to deal with snow and ice, come in July through mid to late September. What snow and ice in this time period is transient.
