I Almost Died at Tar Creek

One of my good friends, Jason Oppliger, and fellow wanderer recently moved to Los Angeles. He suggested that we go up to Fillmore, Ca for the weekend to hike at Tar Creek. Me enjoying the outdoors as much as I do, and in desperate need of a good wander jumped to the opportunity. Plus it would give me a chance to test out the new underwater housing I got for my point and shoot. Jason phoned one of our mutual friends in Ventura to see if we could stay the night with them, to be closer to the trail and not have to get up at 3am. Kaitlyn and Sam being the amazing people they are graciously allowed us to stay the night. Thank you again you guys. The adventure began after I got off work on Friday night. I got home packed, then Jason and I grabbed a slice of pizza at the Garage and finished it in the car on our way. Got to our gracious guess’ house sat around chatting and catching up well into the night. We woke up early in the morning, got some last minute previsions and head out.  It was the first adventure at Tar Creek for both of us and we were not sure if we took the right trail head, but after a couple backtracks we reached the the upper pools. These cliffs were between 10 and 20 feet  high depending on which of the two you were jumping into and from which side. The first pool also had a natural water slide which wasn’t too bad but not quit the rush of throwing yourself off a cliff. We met some great kindred sprits in the fellow cliff jumpers, a big thank you to Ray. While we were enjoying ourselves in the upper pools he told me we should head down stream about 45 minutes to the 70 foot cliff.  I thought 70 that’s not too bad, 45 minutes later I was slightly changing my mind. However, after about 15 minutes of checking out the cliff I decided to go for it.  As soon as I left the edge I looked down, my first thought was I should have jumped farther out.  Then time stood still, it felt like I was frozen in mid-air for a second or two.  When the illusion of time finally snapped back with vengeance, it was in fast-forward, the next few seconds were a blur. What I do remember is, hitting the water, going under and swimming up to the surface, so full of adrenaline that I couldn’t form any sort of words so I simply let out a lively cheer. Which was much to Jason’s relief.  I decided that escaping death once in a day is enough and we headed back. That evening we grabbed some CPK and some frozen yogurt at the mall with Kaitlyn and Sam. Then headed back to their place to watch O’ Brother Where Art Thou. Needless to say this was a unforgettable adventure that would not have happened if it were not for the amazing people around me. Here’s to all of you, cheers.

Taking a break and breathing it all in, Jason rounding the corner.

Jason at the base of the 2nd pool, Me after the 70 foot jump.

The canyon and pool of the 70 foot fall.

Tar Creek – Fillmore, Ca from Brian Lipps on Vimeo.

A weekend trip up to Tar Creek for a hike and some cliff jumping, which later became known as “The Day I Almost Died”.