Gigi Wu death: Mountaineer known as ‘Bikini Hiker’ dies from suspected hypothermia in Taiwan

Gigi Wu's body found 43 hours after distress call

Zamira Rahim
Tuesday 22 January 2019 10:30 GMT
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Mountaineer known as the 'Bikini Hiker' freezes to death after accident in Taiwan

A Taiwanese woman who described herself as the “Bikini Hiker” has died from suspected hypothermia, after a fall in Nantou County.

Gigi Wu had 14,000 social media followers and was known for scaling mountains while wearing bikinis.

The 36-year-old frequently posted photographs of herself at peaks while dressed in swimwear.

Ms Wu entered Taiwan’s Nantou County on 11 January and intended to hike the Batongguan Historic Trail in Yushan National Park until 24 January.

But the hiker ran into peril when she fell down a 30m gorge and called for assistance on her satellite phone on Saturday.

The hiker fell down a 30m gorge

She indicated she was in distress and unable to move after the fall but poor weather conditions hindered her rescue, according to the Chinese language website Apple Daily.

A team were unable to use their helicopter to come to the 36-year-old’s assistance and set out on foot instead.

The mountaineer was found dead by rescuers on Monday, 43 hours after her distress call.

She is believed to have died of hypothermia.

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Hundreds of Ms Wu’s followers have flocked to her Facebook page to post tributes to the social media star in the wake of her death.

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