This particular incident, going down the West side happens more than you may think.
In the vast majority of the cases, I suspect it happens to day hikers, who, after hiking for several hours are tired, and not thinking properly.
In 2004, my daughter and I were camped at the Tarns above Guitar. It had been raining and hailing for 4 hours. It was nasty weather.
Around 7pm, the the rain and hail had stopped, since the trail comes by my campsite, I spoke with several hikers coming down, never suspecting that one of them would be coming down the wrong side of the mountain. I spoke to a women who was heading pass me. I asked how was it on top and she of course described terrible conditions. As we finished talking, I assumed that she was heading back to her campsite at either Guitar or Crabtree Meadows. It was then, she responded, "I am heading down to the Portal." I told her that she was on the wrong side of the Mountain. Without hesitation, she said, "Oh, I'll catch a ride back to the Portal. I then said, there are no roads back here. You are in the wilderness. She responded, "I'll head to the ranger station."
Now, it was 7:30, getting close to dark and I seriously doubt she knew where the ranger station was.
I have no idea what happened to her. I tried to convince her that she was only and 1 hour and half from Trail crest, but she wouldn't listen.
This was the second time that I have encounter a hiker heading down the wrong side over the years.
Paul
