Nurse Survives Accident on Granite Peak in Montana, Uses Medical Knowledge to Stay Calm
A hiker managed to trek more than 10 miles back down the mountain after a fall left him impaled by one of his own trekking poles during a climb. David Cifaldi, who works as a wound-care nurse, was trying to reach the top of Granite Peak, the tallest mountain in Montana, with two friends when he slipped on some rocks.
When he got back to his feet, he discovered one of his trekking poles had pierced his side. Instead of attempting to remove it, the group made the decision to leave the pole in place and begin the long journey back down the mountain. One of Cifaldi’s friends managed to alert search and rescue teams while the other stayed close behind, monitoring him throughout the descent.
Walks Back for Over 6 Hours
After roughly six and a half hours, the group reached the trailhead, where he was taken to hospital. Doctors successfully removed the trekking pole, and he is now recovering at home.
Cifaldi described the accident as a complete fluke: “I just slipped on some rocks,” he said. “It was just kind of a freak thing.”Miraculous Survival with Medical Knowledge
Cifaldi, who works as a wound-care nurse, said his medical training helped him stay calm as he assessed the injury on the mountainside.