Jesse Ross

David Cifaldi impaled himself on a steel-tipped trekking pole while hiking in Montana’s Froze-to-Death Plateau but opted to hike out with his companions instead of a helicopter rescue. Using a Garmin inReach device, the group communicated with authorities during a 10-mile descent to safety, avoiding vital organs as the pole protruded from his side for six hours.

David Cifaldi, a Montana nurse, impaled himself on his trekking pole during a hike on Granite Peak but opted to hike out instead of a helicopter rescue, using a satellite device to coordinate with authorities. He and his companions descended 5,000 feet over 10 miles in six hours, reaching a trailhead without further complications.

A Montana nurse was impaled by his trekking pole during a hike on Granite Peak but chose to walk 10 miles with his companions to safety instead of being airlifted. He assessed the injury as non-life-threatening, avoided panic, and descended the mountain over six hours with minimal complications.

David Cifaldi, a nurse, impaled himself on his trekking pole during a hike in Montana but chose to hike out with his companions instead of a helicopter rescue. Using a Garmin inReach device, they contacted authorities and descended approximately 5,000 feet over 10 miles to reach a trailhead, where they sought medical care.

David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old nurse, impaled himself on a trekking pole while hiking in Montana's Froze-to-Death Plateau but decided to hike out with friends instead of requesting a helicopter rescue. Using a Garmin inReach device, the group communicated with authorities as they descended the mountain, covering 10 miles over six hours to reach a trailhead.