河人: 一场山难、自由、暴水与生命的走向

Mountains, rivers, freedom, yearning
And everything that death brings us

The latest work by Taipei International Book Exhibition Award winner — Hu Mu-ching
Listen to the lives that walked into the mountains, and the voices the deceased left to the world

"When suspended above the flow patterns and reefs,
I indeed heard the sounds of the deceased remaining in the creek.
Though faint, it was very clear."
—Hu Mu-ching
In May 2023, ten canyoners carrying ropes entered the waterfalls of Feilong Canyon. Due to unexpected heavy rainfall and rising waters, five of them died.

The water's barrier allowed them to face darkness, whirlpools, and rapids again and again, but also to embrace brightness, freedom, and lightness.
When blame, public opinion, and labels swept in, Hu Mu-ching tried to lead readers beyond the single question of "Why go?" to the people who actually tied ropes and equipped themselves, and to those waiting on the shore.

Starting rock climbing after a life farewell, Hu Mu-ching personally experienced the comfort and power of dissociating grief brought by nature. With meticulous field research and interviews, she reconstructed the entire timeline of the mountain accident from preparation to entry, being trapped, and rescue, tracing the footsteps of the deceased during their lives: how did they fall in love with mountains and water? Why did they return to the canyon again and again?

This is a book about life and death, freedom and yearning. Everyone who walks into the mountains and descends into the valleys has reasons that cannot be simplified into a single sentence. Although the shadow of death is never far away, humanity continues to move towards borders and wilderness. And mountainous Taiwan also continues to respond to this persistent call with its grandeur and unpredictability.