A Montana hiker was impaled by his own trekking pole while climbing Granite Peak—and then hiked more than 16 km to safety.
There are several lessons every backcountry user can take away from this incident.
✅ 1. He stayed calm. Â
Instead of panicking, he assessed his injuries and made decisions based on the situation rather than emotion. Staying calm is one of the most important survival skills you can have.
✅ 2. He carried a satellite communicator. Â
His group used a Garmin inReach to notify Search and Rescue and keep rescuers informed. Cell service cannot be relied upon in the backcountry, but satellite communicators can be true lifesavers. (AP News)
✅ 3. They left the trekking pole in place. Â
This is exactly what first aid teaches. Never remove an impaled object unless there is an immediate life-threatening reason to do so. The object may actually be helping control bleeding. Stabilize it, keep it in place, and get to definitive medical care.
🇨🇦 4. It also highlights an important difference between Canada and the United States. Â
The hiker ultimately chose to walk out because a helicopter evacuation could have cost US$50,000–$70,000. While his medical training played a significant role in that decision, the potential financial burden was also a major factor.
Here in British Columbia, Search and Rescue is free, including helicopter rescue when it's required.
We never want someone delaying a rescue or risking further injury because they're worried about the bill. Your decision should be based on what is safest—not what is cheapest.
That's something Canadians can be proud of.