Love climbing, love salmon
Legend has it that in the western Pacific, there is a type of fish that migrates in groups every year from7July-10to October, they all swim in groups from the deep sea back to upstream river sections in Asia and North America to spawn. They all swim upstream against the Pacific currents, enduring a long journey back, eventually returning to their place of origin to lay their eggs... This is the salmon! The first time Liu Moqing heard the story of the salmon, she was deeply moved by the fish’s indomitable and ever-upward spirit.
Liu Moqing says that, in a sense, where you come from, where you go, life continues — life itself is a journey full of hardships. Especially after falling in love with climbing, the image and spirit of the salmon entered her heart. She compared herself to a salmon and gave herself a simple yet profound title: Salmon.
Maybe a name is just a symbol or label, what matters is how you exist and what spirit you embody. In the industry, when talking about Liu Moqing, many climbers may still find the name unfamiliar, but if you mention “Salmon,” many friends, familiar or not, will immediately understand — the reputation of Salmon in the climbing world is evident. Liu Moqing says she may be as small as a tiny fish in the way she exists, but in spirit, she must always have the unyielding momentum of swimming upstream like a salmon.
Unwavering devotion:11A decade-long regret-free climbing journey
11An accidental climbing event ten years ago marked Liu Moqing’s first close encounter with climbing while she was still a student. That unexpectedly smooth climb not only awakened her dormant climbing instincts but also reignited her innate love for rock faces. In her words, she started a romance with the rock wall that lasted11years, and to this day remains as devoted as ever.No reason, no cause, just like it, just passionate. Every time she touches the rock wall, her body releases dopamine freely — that excitement, that obsession, even after11years, remains unchanged, without regret. She says she wants to be a salmon swimming upstream, persistently striving toward her dream path.
As everyone knows, when salmon swim upstream, each stage of their journey involves a stepped “ascent.”And reaching each “step” is like climbing stairs — humans step up, but fish can only jump continuously to reach the next level.(Just like a carp jumping over the Dragon Gate.)During these jumps, the salmon’s body repeatedly collides with stones on the riverbed, its blood vessels burst, its body gradually turns red, and many are scraped by the rocks. Some even die on the way due to injuries or exhaustion before reaching their destination... Only after overcoming numerous challenges can the salmon reach the calm lake at the very top to spawn. And after laying their eggs, the salmon complete their mission, ending their glorious, ambitious, and magnificent lives. Liu Moqing says climbing is her upstream struggle, her journey of dreams.11Over the years,her romance with the rock wall has brought both joy and pain, and the most painful moment was being told she could no longer climb.
2008Years ago, Liu Moqing’s climbing career seemed to be going smoothly, as she steadily approached her peak. But life is unpredictable — after a bouldering competition in2008, an accidental injury led multiple doctors to declare: from then on, she could never climb again. Faced with this sudden blow, Liu Moqing said she felt as if her most beloved person had been ripped away from her life. During the entire year of rest, she lived in a state of near despair, as if a world champion sprinter had lost their favorite legs.
At that time, she thought of the salmon — the salmon that swims upstream, never giving up. Liu Moqing probably felt like a salmon slammed to the bottom of the ocean wave. It was in this loss and helplessness that she discovered climbing’s unique place in her life: just as water is to life, she couldn’t live without climbing. “Without climbing, I can’t reach my dream destination. I need to leap out of the trough, I need to return to the surface, I need to swim upstream...” She finally decided to make a comeback, to return to the rock walls and competitions she loved. After nearly a year and a half of recovery, Liu Moqing finally returned. For her, this comeback was not only physical but also a spiritual rebirth and a transcendence of self-awareness...
Redpoint completed,8a+achieving glory once more
Since2001, after fully falling in love with climbing, Liu Moqing has won championships in various provincial, municipal, and national speed climbing, difficulty climbing, and bouldering competitions.2012In that year, she astonishingly completedONE LOVE 13a andSIGLE LIFE 13bthe second half of Lightning, as well as Bai Shan’s famous route Golden Gallon.(Gin Tonic)13cand other classic domestic climbing routes of varying difficulty levels, joining the ranks of Chinese climbers8a+abovedifficulty clubs,becoming one of the few female climbers in China to reach this level.
In addition to continuing to climb herself, Salmon has also been actively involved in promoting and popularizing the sport of rock climbing.2007Over the years, she has served as a committee member of the Rock Lizard Club, making unremitting efforts and significant contributions to the development and popularization of rock climbing in Shanghai and even the East China region, as well as fostering communication among climbers.2012In6, Salmon also participated in the large-scale climbing event “Rock Quest China” initiated byKAILAS. For Salmon, who is utterly passionate about rock climbing, there is no reason—only love.
11Over the years, Liu Moqing has been like a salmon swimming upstream,and after weathering the storms and challenges, she has become an even more agile and resilient salmon. Nothing is more familiar or comforting than nature, and nothing is more uplifting than rising to meet challenges. Rock climbing is precisely that rushing current she chooses to swim against. On the path to her dreams, whether with the current or against it, whether straight or winding, she will continue to pursue her dreams. As she says, “Climbing is a part of my life; my life is only complete when I become one with the rock face!”
Adventurous Life: BecomingKAILASthe First Female Climbing Team Member
2012In9, Liu Moqing officially signed withKAILAS(KAILAS), an outdoor brand, becoming a member of the “KAILASClimbing Team.” As one of the few female climbers on the mainland to have completed climbs on such routes, she is also the first female team member to date. Going forward, both parties will work together to promote the development of climbing in China, take on new challenges, explore the unknown, and further advance the great cause of an adventurous life.8a+The first female climber to complete the route, she is also the first female team member to date. KAILASIn the future, both parties will join hands to promote the development of climbing in China, jointly tackle new challenges, explore the unknown, and further advance the great cause of adventure in life.
Yes, “An Adventurous Life, Growing Stronger”! The journey of life is just like the salmon’s upstream migration—swimming against the current, surging forward without end. Only with firm will and unwavering belief can we, like the salmon, break through all obstacles and finally reach our destination.