Nurse Overcomes Hiking Disaster with Incredible Self-Rescue

A wound care clinic nurse demonstrated remarkable resilience following a major hiking mishap. Despite a severe injury, he trekked ten miles to safety. David Cifaldi, a former emergency room nurse, suffered a significant accident involving a trekking pole while climbing Montana’s Granite Peak on July 20.

Cifaldi was exploring the peak with two friends when the incident occurred. A GoFundMe page created to assist him provides more details. At approximately 11,800 feet, Cifaldi stepped on a small loose rock, resulting in an unusual accident. The trekking pole pierced his side, creating holes eight inches apart, as detailed on the page.

The account describes how Cifaldi kept composure and assessed his condition: no bleeding, maintained sensation, no dizziness, and the pole remained stable without hitting any vital areas. Given these factors, Cifaldi decided against awaiting rescue. Instead, he chose to hike ten miles back to the trailhead, enduring significant pain and difficulty.

During the descent, Cifaldi instructed one of his hiking partners to notify approaching hikers about his injury, ensuring no children were startled by the sight. Upon reaching the trailhead, he required a lengthy drive of about two hours to the nearest emergency room in Billings for the pole’s removal.

‘All told, it was in place for 8–9 hours from the fall to removal,’ detailed the GoFundMe page. The ongoing care includes potential surgery in the near future.

Speaking to local news outlet KTMF, Cifaldi recalled, ‘I think my nurse brain clicked on.’ As soon as he confirmed the injury was not immediately life-threatening, he was determined to safely descend without assistance. He credits his medical background for successfully managing the crisis.

Cifaldi feels fortunate regarding the outcome. ‘A couple inches the other way, and this would be a different story,’ he reflected. His resilience and decision-making have been met with admiration. On a Reddit forum for unusual news, users commended him for his determination and bravery in an unpredictable situation.