A hiking expedition on Montana’s highest mountain turned into a remarkable survival story after a man who was accidentally impaled by his trekking pole completed a self-rescue, hiking nearly 10 miles to safety instead of waiting for an air evacuation.
David Cifaldi was climbing Granite Peak with two companions when he slipped on rugged terrain near the mountain’s challenging Froze-to-Death Plateau. During the fall, a steel-tipped trekking pole pierced beneath his left arm and exited through his back.
Despite the severity of the injury, Cifaldi remained conscious and immediately evaluated his condition. Drawing on his medical training as a wound care nurse, he determined that the pole had likely missed vital organs and was stable enough to remain in place while he descended the mountain.
The group used a Garmin inReach satellite communication device to alert local search and rescue officials about the accident. Rather than requesting an immediate helicopter evacuation, they informed authorities that they intended to make their own way off the mountain while remaining in contact if conditions worsened.
The three hikers carefully navigated steep rocky slopes, snowfields and unmarked sections of the route before reaching an established trail. Over more than six hours, they descended approximately 5,000 feet and covered nearly 10 miles before arriving at a trailhead where a vehicle was parked.
Stillwater County Search and Rescue monitored the hikers’ progress throughout the descent after receiving updates through emergency dispatchers. Rescue officials respected the group’s decision to continue the self-evacuation while remaining prepared to respond if assistance became necessary.
After reaching the trailhead, Cifaldi was driven to a nearby medical facility. Doctors there determined he required specialized treatment and transferred him to St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, where surgeons safely removed the trekking pole and treated his injuries.
Medical staff reported that the object narrowly avoided major organs, preventing what could have been a life-threatening outcome. Following treatment, Cifaldi made a rapid recovery and returned to work within days.
He later explained that several factors influenced his decision to hike out rather than request an airlift, including his assessment that the injury was stable, the experience of his hiking companions, and concerns about the high cost often associated with medical helicopter transportation.
Granite Peak, rising approximately 12,800 feet above sea level, is widely regarded as one of the most demanding mountain climbs in the United States. The summit is known for rapidly changing weather, steep terrain and difficult route conditions, making careful planning and emergency preparedness essential for climbers.
Outdoor safety experts recommend that hikers in remote wilderness areas carry satellite communication devices, first-aid supplies and travel with experienced partners, particularly when attempting technically demanding routes far from immediate medical assistance.