People extrapolate all the time, high airports in the Rockies would be very quiet in the summer if they didn't. Experienced people tell the old joke about being a 'test pilot' and then go off and safely fly.
Note the word experienced !
So find somebody who knows what he/she is talking about and get some dual. Best people are the crusty old freight dogs and charter pilots who hang out at mountain airports. Lowland instructors will do at a pinch.
Tend to agree with the Swiss instructors who want 180HP, more is better, and not much more expensive in the US.
Take a look at
the AIM 7-5-5 and 7-5-6