I cannot imagine anyone intending to go up the Mountaineer's Route accidentally go up the East Face itself. While technically easy, there are huge amounts of exposure. Nothing on the MR looks or feels like this or require this much commitment:
http://patitucciphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/10CLal0109.jpghttp://images.summitpost.org/original/173182.jpgJudging by the pictures and the description, she stopped at the giant ledge before the Fresh Air Traverse. She should have known she was off route the minute she got to the Tower Traverse...but hindsight is 20/20 I guess.
Hats off to the SAR guys and gals.
