Not IPF, I have asthma, bronchiectasis, and have been on medications for Mycobacteria lung infections.

Two years ago, when travelling from home (900 feet) to higher altitudes like yours, we made the transitions very rapidly due to a short travel window. I experienced severe shortness of breath and altitude sickness that took a couple of weeks to normalize. I was shocked, as we had made the trip 2 years earlier, and to even higher altitudes, and I just had mild shortness of breath and no other symptoms.

We talked at length about it, and realized in the past our ascents had always been much slower - taking a full week to get to our first (7000) foot destination, and another week to get to our highest stopping point of 11,000 feet. Afterward I discussed it with my docs, and found the slow approach, stopping for at least 24-48 hours at the first signs of SOB, was their recommended approach. The pulmonologist also suggested that supplemental oxygen, before exertion and at night, could also help. Of course, then Covid hit, so I haven't been able to try that.

Just one person's view.
Sue