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Nurse Impaled on Trekking Pole During Granite Peak Hike

7/28/2026

42 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old nurse, impaled himself on a trekking pole while hiking Granite Peak in Montana on July 20.
He slipped on a rock seven hours into the climb, two to three miles from summit.
The pole pierced his muscle below the armpit, exited his back, and caused no pain or bleeding.
Cifaldi, Jesse Ross and Brad Reich started at 2 a.m., reaching Froze-to-Death Plateau.
Granite Peak rises to roughly 12,800 feet.

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Story summary

David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old nurse, impaled himself on a trekking pole while hiking Granite Peak in Montana on July 20.
He slipped on a rock seven hours into the climb, two to three miles from summit.
The pole pierced his muscle below the armpit, exited his back, and caused no pain or bleeding.
Cifaldi, Jesse Ross and Brad Reich started at 2 a.m., reaching Froze-to-Death Plateau.
Granite Peak rises to roughly 12,800 feet.