Nurse Hikes to Safety After Accidental Injury on Granite Peak

A nurse at a wound care clinic demonstrated remarkable resilience following a hiking incident. David Cifaldi, who was once an emergency room nurse, faced a severe accident while climbing Montana’s Granite Peak on July 20. According to a GoFundMe page, which was created to aid him, Cifaldi was impaled by a trekking pole during the climb.

The Accident

At approximately 11,800 feet, Cifaldi lost his balance after stepping on a loose rock, causing him to drop his trekking pole and fall forward. The pole pierced through his lateral muscles, extending through both ends with an eight-inch gap, as described by the GoFundMe page. At the time of the accident, Cifaldi was accompanied by two friends.

“The pole went all the way through his lat, sticking out both ends,” the GoFundMe page detailed.

Despite the severe injury, Cifaldi assessed the situation pragmatically. According to the fundraiser, he noted no severe bleeding, retained full sensation, felt no dizziness, and assessed that no vital organ was affected, with the pole remaining stable.

Self-Rescue Decision

Due to his assessment, he made a decisive choice to personally hike back 10 miles to safety instead of waiting for external rescue. As he descended, Cifaldi requested that one of his friends move ahead to alert other hikers, preventing children from encountering his injuries unexpectedly.

After reaching the trailhead, they drove him to the nearest hospital in Billings, approximately two hours away, where medical staff could remove the pole. It took eight to nine hours from the accident until the pole was removed.

Recovery and Reflection

Cifaldi is currently receiving ongoing medical care, with potential surgery ahead. He shared his experience with local media, describing the situation as an unusual accident. He stated, “I think my nurse brain clicked on,” demonstrating his medical instincts. He felt fortunate that the injury wasn’t more severe, commenting, “A couple inches the other way and this would be a different story.”

On social platforms, people commended Cifaldi for his courage and determination during the ordeal. Many expressed relief that he managed to reach treatment effectively.