The story so far
Montana Impalement Hike
Tracked across 2 sources · Updated 9h ago
A nurse slipped on Granite Peak, impaling himself on a trekking pole. He hiked 10 miles to safety instead of calling a helicopter, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
How it unfolded
1d ago
Hiker identifies as David Cifaldi; story detailed
2d ago
Nurse impaled, hikes 10 miles from Granite Peak
What happened earlier
Latest updates
Latest
Full story →Montana man hikes 10 miles with impaled trekking pole
David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old wound care nurse from Billings, was climbing Granite Peak in Montana when he slipped and impaled himself on his 44-inch steel-tipped trekking pole, which pierced under his left arm and protruded from his back.
The pole missed all vital organs; Cifaldi assessed his injury using his medical training and decided to hike out rather than wait for a helicopter rescue.
The group used a Garmin inReach satellite communicator to contact authorities and then hiked nearly 10 miles over six hours, descending about 5,000 feet, to safety.
Stillwater County Search and Rescue monitored the hikers' descent and respected Cifaldi's decision to decline assistance since he was alert and stable.
Cifaldi returned to work just days after surgeons removed the trekking pole and treated his wound.
Earlier · 14h ago
Full story →Montana Hiker Impales Himself On Pole, Treks 10 Miles To Seek Help
David Cifaldi slipped and impaled himself on his trekking pole while crossing Montana's Froze-to-Death Plateau near Granite Peak.
The steel-tipped pole passed through flesh beneath his left arm and protruded from his back, missing vital organs.
Cifaldi, a nurse, assessed himself and decided to self-rescue with two companions rather than call a helicopter due to cost.
The group used a Garmin inReach satellite device to inform authorities and hiked about 10 miles over six hours to a trailhead.
Cifaldi drove to St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, where doctors removed the pole and he returned to work within days.