Home / Disasters and Accidents / Nurse Impaled on Hike, Walks 10 Miles for Help
Nurse Impaled on Hike, Walks 10 Miles for Help
27 Jul
Summary
- Nurse David Cifaldi was impaled by his trekking pole on Granite Peak.
- He walked over 10 miles off the mountain for medical assistance.
- Doctors safely removed the pole; he plans to return next year.
A hiking trip on Granite Peak, Montana's highest mountain, turned perilous for David Cifaldi when he suffered a serious accident. While ascending the 12,799-foot peak approximately 10 miles from the trailhead on July 20, Cifaldi slipped and was impaled through his torso by his own trekking pole.
Assessing his injury, Cifaldi, a nurse, determined it was a soft tissue wound and, with his companions, began the arduous 10-mile trek down the mountain. The journey took over six and a half hours, with Cifaldi using his running vest strap as a makeshift sling.
Remarkably, Cifaldi maintained high spirits, even joking about his injury. He prioritized other hikers' well-being by asking friends to warn them of his wound. After reaching the trailhead, he was taken to the hospital, where the trekking pole was safely removed. Doctors are monitoring his recovery, and Cifaldi intends to summit Granite Peak next year.
