The 44-inch (112-centimetre) 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 shows Cifaldi after he impaled himself on a trekking pole while attempting to climb Montana’s highest summit, Granite Peak, on Monday. Photo: Jesse Ross via APThen they started hiking out. After more than six hours in which they travelled about 10 miles (16 kilometres) and descended roughly 5,000 feet (1,500 metres), the group reached a trailhead where one of them, Cifaldi’s friend Jesse Ross, had parked a vehicle.