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Man Self-Rescues After Trekking Pole Pierces Side on Granite Peak

7/31/2026

47 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

David Cifaldi rescued himself after a trekking pole pierced his side on Granite Peak, Montana, on July 20, 2026.
He used a Garmin inReach to alert Search and Rescue.
After six hours they reached a trailhead where a friend drove them to a Billings hospital.
Cifaldi had the pole removed and returned to nursing, saying he would make the same decision 99 times out of 100.

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Story summary

David Cifaldi rescued himself after a trekking pole pierced his side on Granite Peak, Montana, on July 20, 2026.
He used a Garmin inReach to alert Search and Rescue.
After six hours they reached a trailhead where a friend drove them to a Billings hospital.
Cifaldi had the pole removed and returned to nursing, saying he would make the same decision 99 times out of 100.