Hiker Impaled on Trekking Pole Near Summit of Granite Peak

On July 20, David Cifaldi, 32, and two companions were ascending Granite Peak, Montana’s highest summit (? 12,800 ft). After about seven hours of climbing, Cifaldi slipped on a rock, fell, and discovered that a trekking pole had become lodged in his left lateral muscle below the armpit and protruded through his back. Despite the injury, he reported no pain, no bleeding, and was able to breathe deeply. The pole remained embedded as the group was roughly two to three miles from the summit.

New York Times

The party began their climb at 2 a.m. with the intention of camping overnight on the Froze-to-Death Plateau before attempting the summit. Cifaldi had previously reached the plateau on other outings but had never stood on the peak itself. His friend Jesse Ross, who later summited successfully, was leading the group, which also included Brad Reich.

New York Times

The pole entered Cifaldi’s left lateral muscle at an angle, exiting through his back. Because Cifaldi works as a wound nurse at St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Mont., he immediately assumed a “nurse mode,” assessing his own condition. He noted that the pole was still visible through his skin and that he could take deep breaths without difficulty.

New York Times

“As you get up there, you feel like you’re in, like, ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ or something like that,” — Mr. Cifaldi

New York Times

The incident underscores the inherent risks of high-altitude backcountry travel, even for experienced hikers familiar with the terrain.

New York Times