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Gigi Wu was a Taiwanese hiker who gained internet fame for climbing mountains and posing for photos in a bikini once she reached the peak. The 36-year-old died this week after falling into a ravine during a climb.
Wu, who was known online as the "Bikini Climber," had climbed over 100 peaks in the four years preceding her death.
Of her hobby, Wu said:
"I put on a bikini in each one of the 100 mountains. I only have around 97 bikinis so I accidentally repeated some."
When asked about her reason for changing into a bikini for her photos at the summit, she said:
"It just looks so beautiful, what's not to like?"
Taiwan is mostly tropical, but its mountain summits can reach dangerously low temperatures during the winter. Wu was on her way back down the mountain after her solo climb when she lost her footing and fell 20-30 meters (65-100 feet) into a ravine.
She was able to use a satellite phone to contact loved ones and give her coordinates, but stated that she was unable to move the lower half of her body. Wu died of hypothermia while awaiting rescue, which was delayed by inclement weather in the mountains.
She was over 1600 meters (5250 feet, nearly a mile) up when she fell, so rescuers could not reach her in time. This has also made retrieving her remains difficult; it is not safe for a helicopter crew to try to reach her body.
Lin Cheng-yi from Nantou County Fire and Rescue Services told reporters:
"The weather conditions in the mountains are not good, we have asked our rescuers to move the body to a more open space and after the weather clears we will make a request for a helicopter to bring the body down."
‘Real’ hikers ripping into #GigiWu the #bikiniclimber for her ‘vapid instagram summit selfies’. The only differenc… https://t.co/nIwaJdEXdp— ash (@ash) 1548178791.0
Kim Tanner / Facebook
Jesenia Evelyn Kienzle / Facebook
Elizabeth Ortiz / Facebook
@NST_Online What a horrible way to go.hiking is serious biz. If you get hurt and nobody is with you this will happen— SAM T (@SAM T) 1548178290.0
Many people sent condolences to Gigi's loved ones.
@Ninecomau @DazzSands So very sorry for your loss, such a terrible way to die. May she Rest In Peace 🦋— Bonnie Jewell (@Bonnie Jewell) 1548170881.0
Delroy Wallace / Facebook
Others highlighted her independent spirit in finding a way to earn a living doing what she loved, climbing.
Matt Neal / Facebook
@Mr_Freshee98 @ReporterFaith ...or maybe for what she loved? I wish I was enough of a baller to stand in my boxers atop a mountain— Baddamn 🧡s ☕🍊🥗 (@Baddamn 🧡s ☕🍊🥗) 1548160551.0
Wu will be dearly missed by friends and family.