This thread gets more entertaining by the post. Now we're up to no backpacking experience for some members. Aye Carumba! At least PCTers with no/limited snow experience will have 40+ nights under their belts before hitting Forester.
Here's a suggestion that's applicable for both novice backpackers and no/limited snow experience. Actually, it's my go-to suggestion for almost all hikes if people aren't ready for Whitney: Kearsarge.
It's one of the easiest passes, it's (IMO) one of the top 5 scenic areas of the Sierra, and lastly, it affords people the option of either going north or south before hitting significant challenges ie Forester or Glen.
However, both the N side of Forester and the S side of Glen provide a nice, pretty safe (well, as safe as the Sierra get) introduction to both the Sierra in general and snow travel specifically. In addition, both afford a fantastic view of the other side. You can sit on the top of either pass and take it all in without having to deal with each passes' other, much more difficult side.
Then, after you're done, you can turn around and hike back to the original TH. Either direction would provide a good 3 night/4 day in-out hike.
This is what you'd see looking north if you made it to the top of Glen sometime in June:
And yes, it's as dangerous and scary as it looks.
