Home / Disasters and Accidents / Montana Hiker Walks 16km After Pole Pierces Torso
Montana Hiker Walks 16km After Pole Pierces Torso
28 Jul
Summary
- An ER nurse survived a trekking pole piercing his torso near Granite Peak summit.
- He managed to hike 16 kilometers to safety after the severe injury.
- His medical knowledge helped him assess and manage the wound during the trek.
In a remarkable display of resilience, David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old ER nurse, survived a severe trekking pole injury on Granite Peak, Montana's highest mountain. Cifaldi was near the summit on July 20 when he slipped and fell, causing a trekking pole to pierce his torso. The pole entered below his left arm, passed through his back, but narrowly missed vital organs.
Drawing on his medical training, Cifaldi assessed the situation and determined he could walk to safety. He and his two friends began their descent, a journey of approximately 16 kilometers. Cifaldi used his running vest strap as a makeshift sling, while a friend monitored his bleeding. They alerted authorities using a satellite communicator.
After over six hours of navigating rugged terrain, the group reached a trailhead. Cifaldi was taken to a local hospital and later transferred to Intermountain Health in Billings, where the pole was safely removed. Despite the harrowing experience, Cifaldi plans to return to Granite Peak next year to complete his climb.
