The 36-year-old bikini-clad climber Wu Jiyun fell into a valley on the 19th near the trail from Penjyu Mountain in Xinyi Township to Wushuang Community. Her body was found at noon today (the 21st) with no signs of life. Wu had an impressive record of summiting peaks, reportedly spending 127 days a year in the mountains. When asked why she loved climbing so much, Wu Jiyun smiled and replied, “The mountains are so beautiful — how could I not like them?”
Wu Jiyun once posted on Facebook that she spent 127 days a year in the mountains, which is about one-third of the year. The passionate mountaineer shared her 2018 achievements, including: “January: Southern Section Three; February: Snow Mountain and Nanhua Snowfield; March: Zhijiayang and Shenku; April: Descending via Nanshan No. 2 to Xitou; May: Descending from Hehuanshan Main Peak to Xiaotan; June: Ganmulin Mountain; July: Shuan Mountain and Deer Pond, Yubei Pond; August: None; September: Qilai East Peak; October: Recovering from illness and traveling abroad; November: Western Ridge of Snow Mountain; December: Big North No. 3 connecting DanYe, GanZhuoWan, exiting Wujie.”
Wu Jiyun also faced criticism from some people for taking photos in sexy bikinis during summit climbs. Unfazed by online criticism, she described herself modestly in her Facebook bio as just a normal person, adding, “I’m of average looks, so please don’t attack my appearance.”
According to Formosa TV, Wu Jiyun wore full gear like any other mountain climber and only put on her bikini when reaching the summit. Speaking about mountaineering, Wu spoke eloquently, revealing her professionalism and passion for the sport. When a reporter asked why she loved climbing so much, she looked back at the majestic mountains behind her and said cheerfully, “Look how beautiful the mountains are — how could you not like them?”
Fellow hikers flooded Wu Jiyun’s Facebook page with condolences, writing messages such as: “Be yourself, live your life incredibly vibrantly — you were amazing,” “Your life was so colorful, just like your bikini photos,” “Thank you for bringing us all joy, rest in peace,” “May you continue to climb and be yourself happily in the next world,” and “Thanks to you, we got to see the beauty of Taiwan’s mountains.”