Thanks Steve!
I did a bit of investigation into the SEKI permit system and it looks way less competitive than the Yosemite or Inyo system.. I think it should be okay..
In terms of the altitude issue, I am just nervous that I really don't know how I/we will handle prolonged strenuous hiking at altitude, even with a bit of time to acclimatize - the highest passes we have crossed before were just around 3000 m, in the Alps, and I definitely felt the increase in difficulty/decrease in oxygen level above 2500 m. I guess I would just hate to have planned a whole 2- or 3-week backpacking trip and then have to abort the whole thing because of altitude sickness right at the beginning, that would be pretty upsetting
