Just having a little fun at the LA Times' expense, Bill - I'm sure we're not the first! You'd think a writer would check a fact like that before publishing, though - takes all of 20 seconds with a search engine.
As far as the decisions these 3 hikers made, I would probably have done the same thing (although I almost certainly would not have headed up if winter weather was a concern, but that's a personal choice based on comfort with the white stuff). That ridge between Trail Crest and the summit is no joke when it's iced up or freshly powdered. Add blizzard conditions and I'd have likely sat my butt down too and waited it out.
