If people are silly enough to attempt Ben Nevis in Winter ill-equipped then I'm not entirely sure exactly what concept of positioning they would be able to grasp.
This particular incident resonates strongly with me. My first ascent of Ben Nevis was on a February day some 40+ years ago. Everything was green to approximately 1500ft, but a complete white-out (mainly mist and cloud over deep snow) and freezing conditions above that. I was one of a party of four, heavy-laden with ice-axes, crampons, ropes and full winter survival gear. We were overtaken whilst still in the green by two Dutch lads in trainers, each equipped with that vital piece of winter gear, an umbrella, and nothing else.
We attempted to turn them back, but to no avail, and as they were carrying nothing, they disappeared into the mist in front of us. They certainly didn't make it to the top (We did, though we had to rope-up for part of the day. We saw only two other people, on the top; I have photos to prove it, though you can only just make any people out).
We think that, in the mist they diverted off the summit path along the route to the CIC hut under the North face, which was more obvious at the split. Certainly, after we had descended (nearly all the way sledging on a survival bag) the Mountain Rescue were out most of the night looking for someone.
Having tried quite strongly to turn them round, we didn't feel particularly guilty!
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