[1Old Pro]

I didn’t read the article but were they finishing thru hike of the AT

Yea, not sure about that. My guess is it was a solo climb not part of the AT tail start/finish.

[Chickensoup]

Solo climb, in the area on business and went to the mountain.

These mountains have snowstorms in AUGUST

One does not climb them without full overnight gear and tent particularly at this time of year.