Survivor Trek: Man Impaled by Hiking Pole Drops 10 Miles
David Cifaldi was hiking Montana’s Granite Peak with friends when he slipped and was impaled by his trekking pole. Remarkably, the pole missed all major organs.
Rather than call for a helicopter rescue, Cifaldi trekked 10 miles down the mountain on foot. As a wound‑care nurse, he immediately shifted into professional mode, assessing and managing his injury throughout the ordeal.
Witness stories highlight his calm, clinical approach in the wilderness and provide a standout example of emergency self‑management.