30-some years ago wife and I went backpacking in Jemez Mountains of New Mexico around April. Had a 9-month little girl, so only went in a couple of miles, but the trail went down a steep switchback canyon wall.
Woke up next morning to about six inches of unexpected show. Hiked out 12 miles down the canyon to Park Headquarters. No problemo.
Bunch of cars and trucks and people in the lot. Went over to see what was going on. Getting ready to go rescue a couple with baby trapped in the mountains...
Turned out the friend we left notice of where we were going and when we’d be back panicked. We were never in the least danger and I had equipment along we would have been just fine in much worse conditions.
Show = snow.
I gotta say, on the AT this time of year, don’t you kind of have to plan for “unexpected” snow? These hikers had no business up there if they didn’t have the proper gear and a plan for contingencies. Note to others: getting lost on the AT is normally next to impossible, but the white AT trail blazes tend to become invisible in the snow.