Got an early start and was glad of it as it was extremely hot by midday when I was finishing my descent. I came up the steeper Ski Hut trail and found myself exhausted by the time I reached the ridgeline for the last 800′ of gain.  This hike is no joke of you haven't acclimated.  I live at sea level, so it was a slog for the last mile with legs thay felt like they were going through mud.  The backbone going down was vertiginous to say the least, but not difficult.  I would not recommend the backbone on a windy day. I had calm conditions and there were still 20 mph gusts coming across some of the most exposed part of that trail.