I really love the outdoors and adventures.  After a week of being flyered and seeing old friends, all while starting classes, this weekend my friends and I were able to go on an incredibly spontaneous adventure in Angeles National Forest.

At 3:30 on Sunday afternoon, one of my friends ran to my apartment (from just down the hall), yelled “Cliff jumping in 5 minutes, come!”, before quickly leaving.  After standing there a moment in indecision, I put on my bathing suit and packed a hiking bag.  A few minutes later, we were on our way to Glendale/Arcadia area and made our way up a mountain.  After a few questions about whether or not we would make it before it got too cold or before the sun got too low, we began our hike.  The hike itself was not very long, but the last bit required some actual rock climbing.  With shadows falling heavily on the mountain, we made it to the pool of water!

The water was cold. Very cold.  While the sun was still in the sky, the pool was not in direct sunlight.  After putting our feet in, my friends and I chuckled nervously.  Had we come all that way for nothing?  We decided that we would all get into the water, no matter what it took!  Each of my friends jumped off a small rock into the freezing cold water.  I was the last one, but I did it!  When first hitting the water, it wasn’t that bad…but after 30 seconds in the water I had to get out!  Next we tackled the 20 foot cliff!

It was such a fun adventure (and a great way to start senior year)! The water was cold and it was a bit scary, but so are a lot of things in life.  This year I hope to jump off more cliffs (both literally and metaphorically)!

Hannah