Hiking Culebra

Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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zerosignal28
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Hiking Culebra

Post by zerosignal28 »

I have a question for anybody who has hiked this peak. I currently have a spot reserved for June 22. I also am scheduled for a full replacement shoulder surgery on June 11. Due to the Cielo Vista Ranch policy, I can't reschedule or even transfer my reservation, so if I don't go then the booking is essentially wasted.

My question is, am I way in over my head thinking I can hike this 10 days after surgery? I know it's one of the easier peaks to climb, but I'll be in a sling and even if conditions are perfect any slip or fall could be pretty bad. My surgeon laughed at the thought and I don't blame him, but I'm pretty stubborn and don't want to put it off another year if I don't have to. Thoughts?
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interloper
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by interloper »

I don't think it's worth the risk. It's an easy and relatively short route, but there isn't a trail and that could make slips more likely depending on how good your overall balance is. Personally, I wouldn't do it. I had major surgery on my left arm a few years ago and I can't imagine trying to hike a 14er in the days after that. Even walking around my house was painful. Just eat the reservation cost. Culebra's not going anywhere.
"May the good lord shine a light on you, warm like the evening sun." - Jagger-Richards, 1972
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JChitwood
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by JChitwood »

For sure everybody is different but in 2015 a hiking partner had his right shoulder replaced in early June after a mountain bike accident. The shoulder had been a mess for years and the accident was the last straw. On Labor Day 3 months later we met to hike Stewart Peak from the Cebolla trailhead. He was pretty uncomfortable from the start but wanted to tough it out. About half way through the hike after getting past the willow mess he slipped on some steep grass and put his right hand down to catch himself resulting in excruciating pain and a long funny whimper. But he’s a tough guy and gutted it out and gained the summit. On the way down we took it slow and he used one of my hiking poles on his left side but it was rough going. The hikes are similar in that there is no trail above tree line but Culebra has a lot more rocks to trip you up. He was almost 15 years older so you might heal faster but even being younger there isn’t much healing in the 11 days between surgery and your hike. There’s a reason your surgeon laughed he probably couldn’t believe you are even considering it.
"I'll make it." - Jimmy Chitwood
gotpow
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by gotpow »

Listen to your surgeon. The last thing you want is hardware damage, and a revision may not turn out very well with more damage to the remaining bone in the joint.
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by DaveLanders »

Depending on how your surgery and initial recovery go, you could still be on some heavy duty pain meds 11 days after your surgery. In that case the idea of hiking a 14er is ridiculous.
Every village has at least one idiot. Successful villages choose someone else to be their leader.
zerosignal28
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by zerosignal28 »

thanks, all. I knew the answer already but I guess I was looking for an excuse to make it happen. Not too worried about eating the cost of the reservation; more upset about another year missed out as I get closer to finishing all 58. Oh well, I appreciate the feedback.
seannunn
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by seannunn »

Not trying to call you out in any way, but looking at your remaining 8 peaks, you still have a lot bigger fish to fry than Culebra.
I would make a reservation for summer 2026 on Culebra and use it as a tune-up climb (go ahead and do Red while you're up there just to make it a little tougher day) before tackling Cap, Little Bear, etc.
I hate to waste money also, but in this case I would say discretion will be the better part of valor.

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Mtnman200
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by Mtnman200 »

It might be worthwhile to contact Carlos and see if you could move your planned climb a couple of weeks earlier (right before your surgery). Can’t hurt to try…
"Adventure without risk is not possible." - Reinhold Messner
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nyker
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by nyker »

If it were minor scope surgery, I'd say maybe, but full replacement, I'd say not worth the chance. And the downside of re-injuring a new shoulder and possible delayed recovery and even needing another surgery, is far worse than the money lost due to the reservation. But call them, this is a pretty valid reason for asking for a credit for a future trip...
Ebenton
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by Ebenton »

I don't want to be the nabob of negativity. Your shoulder is not going to be functional 10 days post surgery. I would suggest you ask a PT and your doctor. Shoulders are the trickiest of the 3 major joint replacement procedures. . A good stint in PT will probably get you around 80 percent functional for daily activities. It takes about a year to heal totally. Doing anything that might require something ballistic (preventing a fall or similar) is going require more time. Ten days out you're going to on heavy drugs Oxycodone. It'll knock the pain down so you can get some sleep, those drugs will make you sleepy and not able to focus or even remember what the hell you're talking about.
You can watch the procedure (cadaver most likely) on YouTube.. Pick the same prothesis as your surgeon is using. Is it a reverse total? Those are more complicated. Just watch those saws and heavy drills and the heavy hammering that's involved. You'll get the idea. That Peak and all the rest will be there until long after we're gone. Take care of yourself. ATB
d_baker
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by d_baker »

I did the Manitou incline, in winter, 5 days after complete reconstruction of my AC joint in my left shoulder. But only halfway with yaktrax (before microspikes came out) because of snow conditions.
I got hellyeahs and you're an idiot....lol

I was also ice climbing, on toprope, about 2 months after surgery.

Seems like Carlos might be able to do something for you.
Good luck with your decision!
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greenonion
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Re: Hiking Culebra

Post by greenonion »

Mtnman200 wrote: Fri May 02, 2025 7:30 pm It might be worthwhile to contact Carlos and see if you could move your planned climb a couple of weeks earlier (right before your surgery). Can’t hurt to try…
+1 Carlos and the team seem to be quite reasonable with "like-reasonable" folks.