My buddy who's super tough in the heat under physical excursion, (desert rat and in the roofing biz), who's been doing Skyline regularly for decades, (including occasional summer climbs), came upon a couple guys trying to find a little shade in the manzanita, (exposed area above Flat Rock at 6-7k ft.).
He's saved plenty of people over the years by prodding and encouraging for hours to the tram, and asked if they were ok, and they said yes. An hour later, when he was around Coffmans Crag, he heard the chopper. Mentioned they started at 3am, but were wearing tennis shoes and tank tops!
Hopefully someone like RMRUPete will give us the details, or maybe post of their site.
He ran into them around 9am, which is decent time for a 3am start, but in July it's too late no matter what time, (even midnight or earlier it's still hot, and rocks haven't cooled as much).
This is one climb, (especially in summer), that you just can't do on guts & determination, and have to be super fit & seriously heat conditioned, and even then, it's a bad idea.
Like some of us who've lived in the desert for decades, and have plenty of encounters with people suffering from heat conditions, he could tell they were suffering, (red in the face and not in top shape), like you need to be to attempt this climb in serve heat. RMRU & the Riv Sheriff's would have a lot of extra funds for equipment etc. if they charged, (I know, it's a complicated, controversial topic!), but in certain circumstances, it might be justified, (but then people may not call, and possibly die). Just glad it appears their ok.
ss