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Those who do climb are normally veterans equipped with crampons, ice axes, helmets, ropes and a thorough knowledge of the route, said Dave Miller, a professional mountain guide who has summited Whitney 80 times.

In the winter, only a small number of serious climbers attempt the expedition and are typically armed with crampons, ice axes and avalanche safety training, he explained.

Climbing down the final 400 in snowy conditions usually requires ropes, crampons and ice axes because a fall on slippery terrain that steep would be almost impossible to stop.

Another, he said, is the industry stereotype of “white men holding ice axes high in the mountains.”

In August 1940, the two were alone in Trotsky’s study when Mercader struck him with an ice ax, mortally wounding him at age 60.