A nurse, aged 32, experienced an unusual incident while climbing the highest peak in Montana along with two companions. What started as a fun adventure for the trio turned into a nightmare when David Cifaldi slipped on the rocky surface and landed on his trekking pole.
On July 20, Cifaldi and his friends embarked on their ascent of Granite Peak, but things took an unexpected turn. Despite the mishap, Cifaldi decided to self-rescue rather than wait for help, covering a challenging 10-mile journey back to the starting point with the pole still embedded in his body.
To aid his injured state, the nurse improvised a sling using the chest strap from his running vest, with one friend monitoring any bleeding. The arduous descent lasted approximately six-and-a-half hours.
The trekking pole pierced Cifaldi’s side, penetrating his lat muscle and protruding from both sides, with about eight inches separating the two entry points, as detailed in a GoFundMe campaign initiated by a friend.
Upon reaching the trailhead, Cifaldi was transported to a hospital where medical professionals successfully extracted the pole without complications.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched by Jesse Ross, one of the hiking companions, describing the events of the day. The trio had set off at 3:30 AM for a challenging climb to Granite Peak, passing through Mystic Lake and the Froze to Death Plateau before encountering the accident near Tempest Peak.
Recounting the incident, Ross explained the unfortunate fall at an elevation of 11,800 feet, emphasizing the severity of Cifaldi’s injury caused by a simple misstep. The quick actions from the fall to the pole removal took about 8-9 hours. Cifaldi is now undergoing medical treatment and facing substantial healthcare expenses.
For those willing to support Cifaldi’s recovery, donations can be made through the GoFundMe page linked here.
