A hiking trip to the top of Montana‘s highest mountain turned into a life-threatening ordeal after a nurse fell onto his own trekking pole. Instead of waiting for a rescue helicopter, David Cifaldi assessed his injuries, kept the pole in place, and hiked more than 10 miles back to safety with two friends by his side.
The accident occurred on July 20, 2026, while Cifaldi and friends Jesse Ross and Brad Reich attempted to summit Granite Peak in the Beartooth Mountains. Granite Peak rises more than 12,700 feet and is known for its steep, rocky terrain and challenging conditions. According to Montana television station KTMF, the group had carefully planned to reach the summit and return the same day before the hike took an unexpected turn.