The 44-inch steel-tipped pole passed through the flesh beneath Cifaldi's left arm, missing any vital organs, and protruded from his back. After conferring with his friends - and considering the high cost of a helicopter rescue - Cifaldi knew who would save him: himself. This photo provided by David Cifaldi shows Cifaldi after he impaled himself on a trekking pole while attempting to climb Montana's highest summit, Granite Peak, on July 20, 2026. David Cifaldi via APThe 32-year-old nurse, who works in wound care at a Billings, Montana, hospital, did a self-assessment. The first call came in at 9:44 a.m. on July 20, right after Cifaldi impaled himself.