A nurse, aged 32, experienced a rare mishap while scaling the highest peak in Montana alongside two companions. What was meant to be a thrilling expedition 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 their journey took an unexpected turn. Cifaldi described the incident as an unusual occurrence, more akin to twisting an ankle rather than sustaining a severe injury.
Despite his condition, Cifaldi opted for self-rescue instead of waiting for assistance, trekking 10 miles back to the starting point. Throughout the challenging descent, the pole remained lodged in his body.
Using his running vest’s chest strap as a makeshift sling, Cifaldi continued with one friend monitoring any bleeding. The arduous trek lasted six-and-a-half hours.
The pole pierced Cifaldi’s side, penetrating his lat muscle and protruding from both ends, with approximately eight inches between the two wounds, as reported in a GoFundMe campaign initiated by a friend.
Upon reaching the trailhead, Cifaldi was transported to a hospital where medical professionals successfully extracted the trekking pole without complications.
Jesse Ross, one of the hiking companions, established the GoFundMe page. Recalling the incident, Jesse recounted their journey, which took them through challenging alpine terrain towards Tempest Peak.
Detailing the accident, Jesse explained that at an elevation of about 11,800 feet, Cifaldi stumbled on a loose rock, leading to the pole impaling his lat muscle. The entire process, from the fall to the pole’s removal, lasted approximately 8-9 hours. Cifaldi is currently undergoing treatment and is facing substantial medical expenses.
To support Cifaldi’s recovery, donations can be made to the GoFundMe page by clicking here.