Posted 26 Aug 2009

Dragon Horn in Malaysia – a formidable and treacherous pillar of stone – has been conquered by a British national and his American companion, it has emerged.

Steve Beckwith, aged 24 from Crawley in West Sussex, ventured out to Malaysia to tackle the giant natural wonder with Matthew Traver. The pair took six days to reach its summit and had to sleep while suspended from ropes.

Located on Tioman Island in the South Pacific, the pillar’s sheer face of rock made climbing feel like being in "purgatory", according to Mr Beckwith.

He added: "It is an amazing feeling to climb on rock that has never been touched by anyone and see the views that no other person has seen and as that sinks in our relief turns more to joy."

According to the Telegraph, this is the first time anyone has ever successfully climbed Dragon Horn.

As well as the vertiginous natural feature, Tioman Island is also home to glowing stretches of sand, rainforests and coral reefs.

Category: Asia