I was hit with the scary reality of just how dangerous this peak can be when I met a hiking group who was commemorating the death of a fallen group member, Sam Kim, who hiked this peak 800 times, eventually falling victim to the treacherous Devil's Backbone. I learned all of this at the top of the peak, realizing with a heaviness that I would soon be returning down Devil's Backbone with my group. I was suddenly terrified. What seemed like a fun-spirited challenging peak became a conqueror of conquerors. a beast that could not be tamed by even the most experienced of hikers. Be careful on these mountains, friends! Have fun, but respect the sublime danger of nature. One wrong step could be our last.