The cable section is a very small portion of a very big hike....
but arguably the most dangerous portion of the main trail when complicated with snow and ice.
and at that point, there's no way around it.
see photo from july 2010
here. see photo from october 1, 2010 from almost the same place
here. a slip and fall here would be catastrophic.
the downhill side just goes and goes and goes.
They should have bailed after it was snowing for more than 30 minutes.
agreed.