# Granite Peak pole impalement & 16 km self‑rescue

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/granite-peak-trekking-pole-accident
> Updated: 2026-07-28T22:31:00.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 2.

On 20 July 2026, 32‑year‑old registered nurse David Cifaldi slipped near the summit of Granite Peak, Montana’s highest point, and impaled his torso with his 44‑inch steel‑tipped trekking pole. The pole entered below his left armpit, passed through the latissimus dorsi, and exited the opposite side, creating a roughly 20 cm passage without damaging vital organs.

After confirming he was breathing normally, bleeding minimally, and that his lung was intact, Cifaldi fashioned a makeshift splint from his jacket and, with companions Jesse Ross and Brad Reich, chose to descend rather than await a costly helicopter rescue. Using a Garmin inReach, they trekked about 16 km over six to seven hours, descending roughly 5,000 ft to a trailhead where a friend’s vehicle awaited.

Cifaldi was air‑lifted to St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, where surgeons removed the pole under conscious sedation, placed a drain, and discharged him after about a week. He returned to his nursing duties within that timeframe and said he would make the same decision again. The dramatic self‑rescue sparked widespread media attention and renewed discussion of rescue‑cost considerations in U.S. wilderness emergencies. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover his medical expenses, and he plans to attempt the summit again next year.

## Claims

- He plans to return next year to attempt the summit of Granite Peak. (corroborated by 23 sources)
- The trekking pole entered below his left axilla, passed through back muscle and exited the opposite side, creating a passage about 20 cm long. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- He walked roughly 16 km over six to seven hours to reach safety before receiving medical help. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- He assessed himself, determined there was no major bleeding or lung injury, and continued descending. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The group used a Garmin inReach satellite communication device to send a distress signal. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- His friends were Jesse Ross and Brad Reich. (corroborated by 21 sources)
- The pole entered below his left axilla, passed through back muscle and exited the opposite side, creating a passage about 20 cm long. (corroborated by 20 sources)
- He was taken to Hospital Regional St. Vincent in Billings, where the pole was removed under conscious sedation and a drain was installed. (corroborated by 20 sources)
- He was taken to Hospital Regional St. Vincent in Billings, where surgeons removed the pole under conscious sedation. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- David Cifaldi fell on July 20 2026 near the summit of Granite Peak in Montana. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- He remained breathing, with no major bleeding and his lungs were unharmed. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- He sent a distress signal using a GPS‑enabled satellite communicator. (corroborated by 10 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-28: Nurse David Cifaldi Walks 16 km After Trekking Pole Impales Him on Montana’s Granite Peak

Nurse David Cifaldi fell on Granite Peak, Montana in July 2026, was impaled by his trekking pole, self‑rescued 16 km with two friends, and was later treated in Billings.

29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mountaineer-david-cifaldi-survives-pole-piercing-on-montanas-granite-peak

### 2026-07-26: David Cifaldi Walks 10 Miles Down Montana’s Granite Peak After Trekking Pole Impalement

ER nurse David Cifaldi was impaled by a trekking pole on Montana’s Granite Peak, then trekked 10 miles with the pole still in his torso to reach help and was hospitalized.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/david-cifaldi-walks-10-miles-down-montanas-granite-peak-after-trekking-pole-impalement

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Cite as: Granite Peak pole impalement & 16 km self‑rescue. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/granite-peak-trekking-pole-accident