Ok let this flat lander now how you get in shape to takle those mountains
IMO, you can't get into "too good of shape", especially your lungs
When you come from altitude of around 550ft to 9000 to 12000ft it takes a lot of extra effort.
I'd guess that altitude sickness is something you should be prepared for. Plan on drinking more water than usual and possibly check into medication for altitude sickness. I've seen guys lay aroudn camp for days in misery, due to altitude sickness alone.
Another thing you guys from the westren states do you guys have to exsercise much to keep your wind?
Not as much as you flatlanders, but don't kid yourself, going from 6500 upto 10500 is not easy either. We need to prepare too, just not as much!
