"At 6k, is there any oxygen loss to contend with? I know that alot of times mountain climbers have to carry oxygen with them just to be able to perform the most basic tasks. I must admit I don't know that much about it since we don't have mountains here in Alabama."

Every area has its issues. 6000'MSL is hard to distinguish from sea level without instrumentation. Engines need mixture adjustment, athletes notice the difference, clear nights are colder and baking recipes need to change. Otherwise you can't really tell.

Go to 10,000' and higher and it starts to weigh on you and your machinery.

I like hiking in the Rockies because we mostly don't have snakes. In my area only black bears are around and they are fairly nervous and the predators are mountain lions or humans and a firearm works for both if needed. We also have black widow spiders but they are avoidable.

Oh, and one needs a snow shovel and muscles to use it this year!

unimogbert (Colorado)