Hiker Impaled by Walking Stick Hikes Six Miles After Rescue Deemed Too Expensive

The incident on Granite Peak forced the experienced medical professional to evaluate his own trauma, refuse expensive air ambulance services, and lead a six-hour, 16-kilometer descent to safety alongside two companions.

The Granite Peak Impalement Incident

The emergency began near the summit of Granite Peak, the highest mountain in Montana at 3,904 meters, according to accounts of the accident. Cifaldi lost his footing on the rocky terrain and fell directly onto his own 112-centimeter hiking pole. The steel-tipped staff entered his body beneath his left armpit and exited through his back.

Despite the severity of the wound, Cifaldi remained calm. Working as a wound-care nurse gave him the professional background needed to conduct an immediate self-assessment before panic set in. He checked his vital signs, noted that he was fully conscious, experienced minimal pain, and observed very little blood loss. Because the pole remained firmly wedged, it did not shift further during movement.

Weighing Medical Risk Versus Helicopter Costs

When the group considered calling for emergency extraction, financial realities shifted their strategy. According to Cifaldi, search and rescue ground teams are typically free, but helicopter transport involves steep bills in the United States. “The inzet van zoek- en reddingsteams is gratis. De helikoptervlucht niet. Dat was een factor bij mijn beslissing om mezelf te redden,” Cifaldi stated regarding his choice to forgo an airlift.

Drawing on his clinical expertise, Cifaldi determined the pole had missed his chest cavity and major organs. He told his two skeptical companions, “We must get off this mountain,” setting off an arduous journey across unmarked plateaus, boulder fields, and snow patches without professional medical intervention.

The Six-Hour Descent to St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Before leaving the peak, the hikers used a satellite communication device to notify local authorities of their situation and their plan to self-rescue, ensuring emergency services could track them if conditions deteriorated. After navigating sixteen kilometers over six hours, the trio reached a parking lot where a friend’s vehicle waited.

They drove first to a local medical post before realizing Cifaldi needed specialized trauma care. They continued driving to St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings—coincidentally the exact hospital where Cifaldi is employed. Surgeons successfully removed the hiking pole, and Cifaldi recovered quickly enough to return to work shortly afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why didn’t David Cifaldi call a rescue helicopter?

Cifaldi opted against an air ambulance primarily due to the high financial costs associated with helicopter rescues in the United States, combined with his own medical assessment that he was stable enough to walk down.

How long was the hike down Granite Peak with the injury?

According to the accounts, Cifaldi and his companions hiked for more than six hours, covering roughly sixteen kilometers across unmarked terrain, boulder fields, and snow before reaching a vehicle.

Where was the hiking pole removed?

Doctors safely removed the 112-centimeter hiking pole at St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana, where Cifaldi works as a nurse.