Hiker self-rescues after trekking pole impales him on Granite Peak
Hiker impaled by trekking pole self-rescues from Granite Peak with SAR oversight.
Event / Disaster
David Cifaldi Granite Peak Accident
A 32-year-old nurse impaled himself with a trekking pole while climbing Montana's Granite Peak on July 20 and self-rescued by hiking off the mountain with companions to avoid helicopter rescue costs.
3 reported locations
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2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 31 Jul, 03:17 UTC
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What happened
Search and Rescue monitored injured hiker's voluntary descent
Stillwater County Search and Rescue received notification of the incident at 9:44 a.m. on July 20. The group used a Garmin inReach satellite communication device to update authorities. Search and Rescue commander Ty Williams decided not to intervene, respecting the hiker's decision to self-rescue and his wishes to proceed without forced assistance.
Injured hiker self-rescues from remote mountain location
After assessing his injury, Cifaldi decided to hike out rather than request helicopter rescue due to cost concerns. He and his two companions descended approximately 5,000 feet over more than six hours, traveling about 10 miles from the plateau to reach a trailhead where they had parked a vehicle.
Impaled hiker receives treatment at St. Vincent Regional Hospital
After reaching a clinic at the trailhead, Cifaldi was directed to St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana for advanced treatment. Doctors removed the trekking pole, bandaged the wound, and Cifaldi returned to work at the hospital the following week.
Hiker impaled by trekking pole on Montana's Granite Peak
David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old nurse, was struck by his own 44-inch steel-tipped trekking pole while hiking on Montana's Froze-to-Death Plateau near Granite Peak on July 20. The pole passed through the flesh beneath his left arm, missing vital organs, and protruded from his back.
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