Injured Montana Hiker Treks for Help After Trekking Pole Accident
WHO:
AP - David Cifaldi, a 32-year-old nurse from Billings, Montana, and his two hiking companions, including Jesse Ross.
AP - Ty Williams, commander of the Stillwater County Search and Rescue team.
WHAT:
CBS News - Cifaldi hiked six miles off the mountain along with two friends to get help after being impaled.
AP - Cifaldi stated, “’Tis but a flesh wound,” regarding his injury.
AP - Cifaldi's friend Jesse Ross remarked, “The only reason it was possible at all was his confidence.”
AP - Cifaldi had long wanted to climb Granite Peak, which is 12,800 feet (3,900 meters) tall.
AP - Cifaldi was told he needed more advanced treatment after arriving at the nearest clinic.
CBS News - Cifaldi slipped and impaled himself on a 44-inch (112-centimeter) steel-tipped trekking pole while climbing.
AP - Cifaldi and his friends hiked approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) and descended about 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) to reach help.
AP - Cifaldi stated, “I was like, ‘We’ve got to get off this mountain.’ And they’re both like, ‘I don’t know about that.’”
AP - Cifaldi was monitored by the Stillwater County Search and Rescue team during his self-rescue.
WHERE:
AP - The incident occurred on Froze-to-Death Plateau, near Granite Peak, Montana’s highest peak.
AP - Cifaldi works at St. Vincent Regional Hospital in Billings, Montana.
WHEN:
AP - The first call to authorities was made at 9:44 a.m. on July 20.
AP - The trio reported they were getting closer to the trailhead at 1:30 p.m.
AP - By about 3:30 p.m., the hikers were in Ross’ vehicle heading to the nearest clinic.
WHY:
AP - Cifaldi considered the high cost of a helicopter rescue as a factor in his decision to self-rescue.
AP - Cifaldi assessed that he was alert, experienced little pain or blood loss, and believed the pole was not affecting vital organs.
HOW:
AP - The group navigated through boulders and snowfields before bushwhacking to an established trail.
AP - The group used a satellite-based communication device, a Garmin inReach, to contact local authorities.
AP - Cifaldi and his friends navigated through boulders and snowfields to find an established trail.
(UPDATED July 30, 2026 17:36 UTC)
Cifaldi hiked six miles off the mountain with two friends to seek help after suffering an impalement while climbing Granite Peak, which stands at 12,800 feet. Remarkably, he referred to his injury as “’tis but a flesh wound,” and his friend Jesse Ross credited Cifaldi's confidence as crucial to their successful navigation through boulders and snowfields to reach an established trail. Upon arriving at the nearest clinic, Cifaldi was informed that he would require more advanced treatment for his injury.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 13:35 UTC)
A nurse from Billings, Montana, named David Cifaldi, suffered a serious injury when he slipped and impaled himself on a steel-tipped trekking pole while hiking on Froze-to-Death Plateau near Granite Peak. Cifaldi, along with his two companions, managed to navigate through challenging terrain and descended about 5,000 feet to reach help, using a satellite communication device to contact authorities along the way. Despite considering the high cost of a helicopter rescue, Cifaldi assessed his condition and decided to self-rescue, ultimately making it to a vehicle by 3:30 p.m. to head to the nearest clinic.