In the mid-90s—long before the internet was a household word in Sri Lanka—television and print media carried a captivating story about a daring man named Tony. He wasn’t your typical adventurer, but he soon became a name etched in the country’s climbing folklore.
Tony rose to prominence not by ascending mountains, but by “downclimbing” them—most famously the iconic World’s End in Horton Plains National Park. Perched at the edge of a sheer cliff at over 870 meters (2,854 ft), World’s End offers one of the most breathtaking views in Sri Lanka. On a clear day, the Indian Ocean glistens far on the horizon, while the land below falls away in dramatic, lush sweeps.
Tony, known locally as a “Dig Holder”—a man who dug foundations and trenches—was no mountaineer by formal training. Yet, it was through this rugged work that he honed his climbing and downclimbing instincts. His natural talent eventually earned him recognition as a freelance climbing instructor for the Sri Lankan Army. Sadly, Tony passed away in his early 50s, but his legacy lives on. He introduced the Sri Lankan public to the thrilling concept of “declimbing”, making him a trailblazer in the country’s adventure tourism narrative.
Why Climbing and Declimbing in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka, blessed with lush highlands and rugged peaks, offers a treasure trove of opportunities for climbing and downclimbing enthusiasts. From the iconic Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada) to the lesser-known yet challenging Lakegala, the island’s mountainous terrain is waiting to be explored—both up and down.
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a nature lover, or an outdoor business visionary, Sri Lanka is a mountain paradise with untapped potential. And while trekking and hiking have long been popular, technical climbing and downclimbing remain underdeveloped frontiers.