This one almost got me. Our guide and a local were trying to warn me how slippery the falls were. I thought, “Hey, I’m an Oregon boy, I climb waterfalls all the time, I got this.” I tested with a foot, yeah, super slippery. I climb up to a shower to bathe. I hear shouts and admonitions behind me, but I ignore them. I decide to keep climbing up, I slip almost immediately and keep slipping and slipping. I’ve lost all control. I never checked below me. I don’t know if I’m going to slide off onto a rock or into the water or just how badly hurt I’m about to be. I slide to a stop before the edge, covered in rock slime, but completely unhurt, aside from my bruised ego and the feeling that the locals are shaking their head at the dumbass reckless American who almost won a Darwin Award. Of course I go right back to trying to climb to the top. After several attempts our guide Mr. Nagaraj finally convinces me to stop, and I feel bad for the wise and dignified forest guide who really doesn’t want to lose one of his charges, so I stop. Thanks to the river goddess for deciding to spare me. This all went down at Thuvanam Waterfalls in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala if you want to pay a visit. #thuvanamfalls #thoovanamfalls #chinnarwildlifesanctuary #dumbasswhiteboy (at Thoovanam Falls munnar)