Full Breakdown
Nurse Impaled on Montana’s Granite Peak Walks 10 Miles to Safety
7/29/2026, 5:55:34 AM
Incident Details
On July 20, David Cifaldi—formerly an emergency-room nurse now working at a wound-care clinic—was climbing Granite Peak in Montana at roughly 11,800 feet when he stepped on a loose rock, dropped his trekking pole and fell forward. The pole pierced his lower back, passing completely through his body with about eight inches separating the entry and exit wounds. According to a GoFundMe page created by a friend, Cifaldi noted that there was no active bleeding, he retained full sensation, and he felt no light-headedness, leading him to deem the injury non-life-threatening at the moment.
Choosing self-rescue, Cifaldi hiked approximately ten miles back to the trailhead while the pole remained lodged in his back. He instructed a companion to warn other hikers ahead of his location. The friend’s fundraiser reports that the pole stayed in place for 8–9 hours before medical personnel removed it.
Response and Medical Care
After reaching the trailhead, Cifaldi was driven about two hours to the nearest equipped facility in Billings, where surgeons extracted the pole and treated the wounds. He later described himself as “very lucky,” noting that a slight shift in the pole’s trajectory could have produced a far more serious outcome. Fox News Digital contacted Cifaldi for comment but did not receive a response.
Public Reaction and Fundraising
The GoFundMe campaign, set up to cover medical expenses and recovery costs, highlighted Cifaldi’s “calm” self-assessment and his decision to avoid waiting for rescue. The page also mentioned that Cifaldi asked his friend to alert approaching hikers to prevent accidental encounters with the exposed pole. Online users on a Reddit “odd news” forum praised his determination and grit.
Broader Implications
The incident underscores the risks inherent in high-altitude backcountry hiking and the importance of rapid self-assessment in wilderness emergencies. While Cifaldi’s medical background likely contributed to his composure, the episode illustrates how a seemingly survivable injury can become life-threatening without prompt professional care, prompting discussions among outdoor-safety communities about emergency preparedness and the value of timely evacuation.
