terraelise, I call that area to the summit "Squat Valley" -- where people take a rest along and also mix it in with nature calls. If I remember correctly this area is around 10k elevation. I, too, feel a little woozy at this section when hiking San J. Just a few mountaineer's breaths and I proceed with no adverse effects.
People have difficulty with this and I feel the root cause of this is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The sea level devils from OC and LA have stayed in Palm Springs (elevation 479 feet) at a guest's house or posh hotel. They drive to the Valley Station (2,643 ft. elev., 2,164 elevation change). They hop on PSAT for the 12 minute or so ride (2.5 miles) to the Mountain Station (8,516 feet; 5,873 ft EC).
Over 2.5 miles traveled and 5,873 feet of EC in 12 minutes, to me, may be too much for some people.
I am also curious...could nitrogen be lower as well at higher elevation? Air is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Decompression sickness (the bends). Altitude and altitude decompression sickness.
Could there be a correlation?
Could nitrogen be the culprit?
Just an observation.
