that many of the infantry followed this more direct route but Hannibal thought it too dangerous for his horses, mules, and elephants, and started them along the "corniche".
While Hannibal was on the pass it snowed, which was renewed during his descent which was steep and narrow. Those that missed the snow covered path fell over the precipices. Hannibal came to a place, made too narrow by a recent landslide for the mules or the elephants to pass. Hannibal decided to try to find a way around but the recent snow made it impossible.