There's a reason why so many pilots from other states get into trouble when they come here - they just aren't used to the altitude. A high density altitude reduces both engine power (unless you're lucky enough to have a turbo) and lift, a very bad combination. Density altitude is affected by elevation above sea level and temperature - I've experienced density altitudes of over 10,000 feet while still parked. Combine that with the need to properly lean the mixture before takeoff to get maximum power and the fact that many out of state travelers are heavily loaded and it's a receipe for an accident.

On the other hand, sometimes we local pilots get careless.

Keep the plane light (I rarely fly with full tanks and never carry more than 1 other person in my 172)

Lean properly before takeoff for max power and to avoid fouling the plugs

Allow for very slow rates of climb (I once maxed out at 7050 feet - couldn't climb an inch higher. This was cause for concern because a T-37 was approaching on the opposite heading at 7000 feet.)

Watch for high oil temps (I had that last weekend on climbout from Lamar after shooting an approach)

And keep the plane light.

The pilot in this story might've done better had he dropped a few degrees of flaps to increase lift. That got me out of a jam once (I learned the trick from the book "Fate is the Hunter"), but it might not work for the type of plane he was flying. A Beech Sundowner isn't exactly known for its angelic rate of climb even under the best of conditions.