(Near) Death by Waterfall

On our way to San Cristóbal, we stopped at Agua Azul (“blue water”), a series of waterfalls, currents, and pools just begging to be explored. Alonso took those of us who were strong or crazy enough on an off-trail journey into the water. We spent over three hours climbing falls, jumping falls, swimming against the current, balancing on top of slippery logs and rocks, and finding our way into beautiful, peaceful pools of the clearest, bluest water I’ve ever seen. We only had four near-death experiences in our party of thirteen (one of them was mine!), but everyone turned out okay.

Since I survived, I’ll go ahead and tell my story. (Family, you may not want to read this!) One our way back to the starting point, we had all started to wear out and use the last of our strength to swim against the strong currents and climb up the falls. On the second-to last fall, we had to climb up the rocks and teeter over the top to get to a part where the water wasn’t too strong to swim. I lost my footing a few steps over the top, and fell into the current. I had to use my whole body to cling to the rocks and fallen log between me and what was past the edge of the fall. Luckily, there was one guy already in the water by the log, and he grabbed me before I lost my grip on the log! (Thanks again, Ty!) There were a few other guys there who helped to pull me back out of the water and into a safer current.

Back on dry land, we took inventory of our cuts, bruises, and fearful moments. It was an amazing adventure, but I don’t know that I would do it again… at least not for another few days!