There are moments in life when you have every reason to slow down. Injury. Surgery. Age. Setbacks. Most people accept those obstacles as the end of the road. SGPT athlete Charles Allen saw them as the starting line. Just months after undergoing a total knee replacement, Charles committed himself to the hard work of rehabilitation, rebuilding his strength one day at a time. That discipline paid off as he stood on the 14,053-foot summit of Culebra Peak in Colorado—proving that grit, patience, and consistent effort can overcome almost any obstacle.
Charles has been a longtime member of the SGPT community and has spent years chasing big goals in the mountains. Living in flat, humid Houston, Texas has never stopped him from preparing for Colorado’s highest peaks. In this interview, Charles shares the mindset that carried him through knee rehab, how he trained for his return to high altitude, and the lessons he has learned from decades of climbing. If you’re recovering from an injury, training for your first mountain, or simply looking for proof that your best days are still ahead, this interview will inspire you to keep moving forward.
SGPT: Tell us about your recent knee replacement and rehabilitation – how did that go?
CA:
SGPT: Tell us about climbing Manitou incline for the first time after knee rehab
CA:
SGPT: Tell us about getting a permit and climbing Culebra Peak?
CA:
SGPT: What was hardest part of the rehab? Hardest part of the climb?
CA:
SGPT: Talk about the process of being faced with an obstacle but finding a way to win?
CA:
SGPT: Thanks for the interview Charles and for being an inspiration to so many people.
CA:
Charles AAR notes
I took advantage of some preparation before and right after the knee replacement. The final injury happened a year ago today on July 5, 2025, in a hot air baloon in Turkey doing a deep squat as part of a safety drill.
As you know before, I did the Incline on Jully 20, 2025 and then with you on August 9. On August 11, we summited Huron Peak. I was training up to that time with an injured and compromised knee, and I continued to train right up to my surgery. So I went into this in good shape.
After the surgery, I took advantage of my employer’s short term disability policy and good insurance to rehab full time. They delivered a monitored rehab recombinant bike which pedaled for me/ pedaled 5x per day 15-20 minutes at a time. That, 2x a week of outpatient rehab, and doing rehab exercises at home 3x per day for a couple of months were key.
After I felt decent in December, my friend Jeff talked me into getting a Culebra permit. That made things real and gave me a goal to shoot for. You saw my training. I did do something most days. I found that the stair climber was very easy and beneficial on the knee. I knew in May when I did the Incline 3 days in a row that I could get up and down a 14er.
I do not think I am particularly remarkable, but luck a lot of times is doing the right things and taking advantage of what’s there (in my case, reading the directions, doing the work, and healing quickly).
I did not take into account the terrain challenges Culebra offers. I described the surgery in my post. Nerves take a long time to heal, and introducing fatigue made the trip down perilous. My legs, when very tired, don’t work together like they used to. So I shortened my horizon and picked short landmarks and distances to focus on. I am doing some research on how to train for this in the life I am living. I do know how to fatigue myself with a long workout, but I am not sure how to find some uneven terrain here. Maybe a long track session followed my a trail run.
So what’s next? If the fires don’t ruin the air quality, then I will do the Incline with you on Saturday August 8, Princeton with you on Monday August 10, and then Jeff and I will join you for Belford/Oxford on August 14 but take a right and get Missouri. I checked the terrain for both and those are doable for me. I think I need more than a day off between 14ers.
Quick recap
This meeting was a live interview session with Charles Allen, who recently completed climbing Calibra Peak just two and a half months after undergoing knee replacement surgery. Charles shared his detailed journey from discovering severe knee damage while in Turkey to his methodical recovery process using a ROMTech bike, physical therapy, and consistent training. He described his approach to climbing Manitou Incline in Zone 2 with proper hydration strategies, and the challenges he faced on Calibra Peak including the lack of trails, altitude effects, and proprioception issues from nerve damage. The group discussed training recommendations for downhill hiking, balance exercises, and the importance of preparation for similar mountain challenges, with medical advice provided by Dr. Doug regarding quad strength and balance training for knee replacement recovery.
14ers Hiking Plans Discussion
Charles and Brad discussed their hiking plans for 14ers, with Charles proposing a modified schedule that would include Yale on Monday, Princeton on Wednesday, and Missouri with his friend Jeff. Charles noted that Princeton’s top section involves challenging scree and talus terrain, while Yale offers a longer but milder hike. They agreed to meet up on Saturday the 8th to do the incline and then head to Buena Vista to camp, with plans to coordinate better than last year’s camping location.
Hiking Plans Discussion Meeting
Brad and Charles discussed plans for an upcoming hike involving George and Joe, with potential for an early morning start. Charles shared his experience driving from Houston to Manitou, taking 15 hours including stops. The conversation included discussion of Charles’s recent trip to Calabria, where he learned about proprioception, and Brad mentioned plans to create a written interview and compile photos from Charles’s hiking journey.
Climbing 14er After Knee Replacement
Brad interviewed Charles Allen about his recent achievement of climbing Calibra Peak, a 14er, despite having a knee replacement. Charles shared his background in cross-country, track, and backpacking, as well as his history with knee issues dating back 20 years. He described his experience in Turkey where he injured his knee during a hot air balloon ride, and how he continued with a mountain trip in August before seeking medical attention. The interview was cut off as Charles was about to explain his decision to get the knee replacement.
Knee Surgery Recovery Experience
Charles Allen shared his experience with knee surgery, describing how he went from an initial diagnosis of bone-on-bone condition with a torn ACL to having a knee replacement in October. He detailed his recovery process which included using a ROMTech bike, attending rehabilitation sessions, and following a strict exercise routine. Charles explained that while the first few months were challenging due to pain and limited sleep, he maintained consistency with his recovery plan and returned to work in early January after a two-week shutdown period.
Post-Knee Surgery Mountain Climbing
Charles Allen shared his experience training for and completing a mountain climb (Calibra) just eight and a half months after knee replacement surgery. He described his methodical approach to rehabilitation, including using a stair climber and training in Colorado, while working around limitations from nerve damage and uneven quadriceps strength. Brad emphasized how Allen’s discipline and consistency demonstrated the importance of finding a meaningful goal to drive physical recovery and longevity, particularly given Allen’s family history of early deaths from preventable causes.
Mountain Climbing Adventure Discussion
Charles discussed his recent mountain climbing experiences, starting with his approach to Manitou Incline where he decided to hike at an aerobic pace using zone 2 effort and proper hydration techniques. He then described his climb of Calibra peak, which required navigating without trails and involved boulder hopping for about a mile and a half between 13,000 feet, taking them 4 hours to reach the summit. Charles noted that while the private peak costs $150 for access, it lacks traditional trails and requires careful navigation, presenting unique challenges even for experienced climbers including himself and his 79-year-old uncle.
Hiking After Knee Replacement Challenges
Charles discussed his hiking experience, focusing on the challenges he faced due to knee replacement surgery and the healing of nerve pathways. He explained how the lack of nerve function affected his proprioception and balance, particularly during descent on uneven terrain. Charles noted that he would be selective about future peaks, especially those similar to Calibra, and mentioned that other hikers with joint replacements experienced similar issues.
Post-Surgery Training and Safety Planning
Charles discussed his recovery from surgery nearly two years ago and his plans to train for upcoming activities in the next four weeks, including step-down exercises and balance work. Brad shared insights about the importance of fine motor skills, fatigue management, and the significance of proper planning and execution during endurance activities, referencing experiences from long-distance biking and hiking. George added that a significant percentage of people who die on Mount Everest do so during the descent, emphasizing the critical nature of safe descent strategies.
Altitude Hiking Training Techniques
The group discussed training techniques to help Charles prepare for hiking at altitude, particularly focusing on quad strength and balance for downhill walking. Brad and Doug recommended exercises like hack squats, one-legged Bulgarian squats, and balance board work to strengthen the quadriceps and improve proprioception, as Charles’s artificial knee lacks sensation. They also suggested using a treadmill with a decline for backward walking exercises, though they advised against loading the knee during these activities.
Mountain Climbing Preparation Discussion
The group discussed preparation for mountain climbing, focusing on training for rough terrain and balance. Doug recommended practicing balance exercises with a pack on to simulate real climbing conditions. Charlesallen shared essential items to carry in the mountains, including navigation tools, fire starters, emergency blanket, whistle, and a Garmin inReach device with SAR insurance. Brad emphasized the importance of being self-sufficient in the mountains and traveling in groups, noting current wildfire concerns in the planned climbing areas near Leadville and Buena Vista.
Outdoor Activity Backup Planning Discussion
Brad and Charles discussed the importance of having backup plans for outdoor activities, citing the example of Mount Princeton potentially being closed due to fire risk. The conversation then shifted to knee replacement recovery, where Charles and Doug shared their experiences with pre-surgery strengthening exercises, recommending activities like rowing, biking, stair climbing, elliptical training, and walking. Brad announced plans to create a written interview with Charles documenting his training journey and mountain climb, and encouraged group members to share their own recovery experiences to support other athletes in the group.
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SGPT Interviews MountainMan Charley Allen