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 more than six hours in which they traveled about 10 miles and descended roughly 5,000 feet, the group reached a trailhead where one of them, Cifaldi's friend Jesse Ross, had parked a vehicle. Jesse Ross Jesse RossCifaldi had long wanted to climb Granite Peak. Jesse Ross Jesse RossBy about 3:30 p.m. the hikers were in Ross' vehicle headed to the nearest clinic, Cifaldi said. So they got back in Ross' truck and kept driving to the hospital where he works, St. Vincent Regional Hospital.