Monkey Canyon Cliff Jumper Tells Tale

You might have already heard about . 

The 30-year-old web designer fractured his left heel and shattered his right heel cliff jumping into shallow water at Monkey Canyon in Tujunga, .   

Perrett, a Canadian native and Antelope Valley transplant, said he has been an avid hiker all his life. His cliff jumping began as a 14-year-old, when his sister first introduced him to Monkey Canyon.

After the jump and injuries, he doesn't need surgery but Perrett has to be in a wheel chair for several weeks.

He found the . Then he shared his story:

What happened in Monkey Canyon?

I went for a hike with my girlfriend after a hard week, she had never been before so I was showing her how beautiful the local mountains and canyons could be. I had the opportunity to show her some of the wildlife we have the privilege of living close to. I caught a Garter snake and took pictures, then caught some tadpoles, all of which were new to Michelle, my girlfriend. We continued down the canyon, privy to the beautiful scenery of the Angeles Crest Canyons. Having spent time cliff jumping since I was 14-years-old at Monkey’s Canyon, I took more stock in my experience than intelligence. I took a leap of ignorance against my own advice, and learned in an instant the wisdom I had for so many years given was based in truth.

Do you have any hiking advice for folks?  

Take the time for preparation, listen to those that have experience and listen to your own advice.

What's the best local hike for people living in Montrose and La Crescenta?

There are lots of great hike in the area, I advise taking maps and preparing properly.

Is there anything else you'd like to say? 

"Go big or go home,"  [and] “Listen to your inside voice!”