Hi AyersTG

Your niece may need some time acclimatising to the altitude, by spending a few days at say 4000, 6000, 8000 feet each and watching out for mountain altitude sickness (AMS)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness

Going straight to 9000 feet can sometimes present problems especially if your neice has never been in high mountains areas.

Ingnoring the warnig signs for AMS can sometimes be fatal.