I fell 15 METRES down a WATER FALL

A day out with friends could have ended in tragedy for Heather Heather Friesen, 29

wiping the sweat off my brow, I stopped to take in the W beauty around me.

Surrounded by lush green plants and a fresh water stream, it was just another day in paradise.

A keen volleyball player, I'd moved to Hawaii a year earlier to attend a uni where they had an excellent beach volleyball program.

I'd met some incredible friends along the way, including my boyfriend, Isaac, then 20.

When I wasn't studying or competing, my friends and I loved exploring the tropical rainforests that surrounded the island.

So one day in February 2016, when my friend Austin invited me to hike the Ka'au

Crater Trail in Honolulu, I jumped at the chance.

Isaac was on a road trip so it was perfect timing.

Together with four of his friends - Jack, Dan, Carson and Mali - Austin and I were excited to tackle the challenging track. We'd see three waterfalls, and a volcanic crater.

Spanning over eight kilometres, there were no steps on the trail - just muddy paths formed on the

rock face by other hikers.

The journey was not for the faint-hearted.

Climbing upstream, we had to clamber

through thick roots and overgrown vegetation.

I hope I don't twist my ankle, I thought, worrying about volleyball.

But I knew the view from the top would be incredible.

Attaching my GoPro camera to my chest, I couldn't wait to show friends the photos.

Finally, after an hour and a half, we stopped for our final rest before reaching the peak.

I'm going to check it out,' Austin said excitedly.

I'll join you,' I replied, keen to see the top.

Racing up the last stretch, I felt elated as I walked over to the edge of the final waterfall and turned on my camera.