Breathing problems adapting to Sierra Nevada elevation

I have never been to high altitudes and generally don’t like mountains. However, my boyfriend persuaded me to go to Sierras to enjoy one week there. I am afraid of having breathing problems adapting to Sierra Nevada elevation. How serious can it be? I heard that some people got sick from it.

I don’t think that you will have significant problems with breathing there. I visited the Sierras few times and experienced no breathing difficulties whatsoever. Also, my sister went there last year and she didn’t complain about such problems. And she has some lung deficiency. So, I think that you will be OK.

It is not such a high elevation (unless you go to Mt. Whitney) to experience breathing problems. Still, if you are afraid of such things, I suggest you start slowly and gradually work your way to higher altitudes. Thus you will give your body time to adapt to new environment.

The altitudes are not so high if you take it slowly you won’t even notice a thing. Between Lake Tahoe and Fredonyer Pass, the peaks are relatively low (from 5,000 feet to 8,000 feet). However, the crest in the vicinity of Yosemite National Park is approx. 13,000 feet high at Mount Lyell and Mount Dana, with the highest peak at Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet (4,421 m). If you go south of Mount Whitney, the altitudes are getting lower except for Florence Peak and Olancha Peak. If you stick to the lower parts of Sierra, you won’t have any problems at all.