Uluru Climb Chains Cut

More of the same old, same old.

The amount of misinformation being spread around in that neck of the woods is amazing. Quite a few years back we were staying at Curtin Springs and spoke to an elderly gent who actually installed the chain.

He was telling me about a number of waterholes on that property that were designated as "sacred sites" however were bores that he personally dug. Go figure ..........?

Well I'm glad my kids have been able to climb Ayers Rock...might not be allowed one day and this kind of stupidity doesn't help.

Hi Guys,
Certainly one would never approve of the chains being cut nevertheless the days of climbing the rock are numbered. The indigenous owners do ask you not to climb and although I agree with the sentiment expressed about the concept of "sacred places" being overused what is the point of the climb? Firstly it is potentially dangerous and there are no toilet facilities. If you want to view the area take a helicopter tour.
I do appreciate that indigenous issues do cause considerable debate. However, the more you visit the outback the more you appreciate aspects of indigenous culture.
When last at Uluru we were told that something like 25% of visitors do climb. It was suggested that once the percentage falls to something like 20% the climb will be permanently closed.

Sorry, but I say it as I see it ................ if there was no money to be made from it, they would'nt want it. I was there not so long ago and witnessed the locals ( not kids ) offering to take visitor's pictures for money. Not good for a advertised Australian iconic site.

Capt.

Whilst standing clear of the debate around the right of people to climb Uluru or the rights of Indigenous and Traditional Owners to ask you not to – I will comment on the technical aspect of climbing it.

I was last in Uluru in August this year and I observed people of all shapes and sizes, fitness levels (as observed), ages and nationalities attempting to climb the rock.

Now this is done with the aid of a safety chain, in parts, and whilst from a climbing proposition it isn’t necessarily an overly steep incline, it will not be without some difficulty for those who are not accustomed to climbing.

Perhaps many are blinded by the need to climb versus any perceived risk it might entail. As is often said “you don’t know, what you don’t know”…

I did not see one person who was attached to the safety chain. With a background in climbing I would be comfortable climbing this without necessarily attaching myself but not if there were a number of people above me, and I would have the equipment at the ready to attach myself.

My point is that at any given time, through some kind of mishap you could have a person tumble and take out any number of other people along the way as they fall – a disaster waiting to happen.

It could be a slip, dizziness through heat exhaustion, lack of attention, one could compile any number of scenarios under which it could happen – Murphy’s Law says if you don’t think it can happen it almost certainly will…

And for sure, you don’t read about it happening, if in fact it has happened at all at Uluru, but anyone who climbs it is placing their fate in the hands of those above them. And once you tumble the next stop is the bottom with dire consequences…

Rest assured, I’m no wall-flower when it comes to climbing and adventure – but I say do it safely in full acknowledgment of the risks it presents. When it comes to Uluru I suspect many are blissfully unaware of the risk they are taking…

My take on it anyway… “Climb on”




Cheers, Baz – The Landy

I climbed Ayers Rock in April 1964 there was no chain, not even a painted line to follow.

The Ranger suggested that I wear thick socks and "Desert Boots" to save blisters on my toes.

At the top there was a large board with a large pencil attached by string to write my name.
I wonder if it`s still there ? LOL

Scrubby.

Digressing a little now,
Mt Everest is sacred to the Nepalese, so they tell everyone one not to climb it?
It provides them with a living, but the refuse is left behind.
Go figure
Ps to the peanut who cut the chains I refer to those types as "crayfish" . S..t in the head and meat in the tail.

I have climbed the rock twice, and don't particularly want to climb it again. However, I still feel that anyone should be able to climb it if they want to. Having said that, the last time I climbed it, we had just picked up our daughter and a friend after that had flown in to the airport at Uluru. We had lunch and then set off for the top of the rock. On our way up (it was about 2:00 pm and rather hot), everyone coming down told us "You'll be OK - there's a bloke selling Coca Cola up there". Oh Yer says us, but when we got there, sure enough, there was a bloke laying on his backpack with cans of coke for $2.00 each. This was back in 1991, so it was a fairly steep price then. He had bought 2 slabs of coke and had walked them up. I often wonder what happened to the empties after whoever bought them had finished the contents. Incidentally, we didn't buy any from him.

The first time we did the climb, it was raining when we got there, so we wet in and had a pie at the local cafe. Whilst eating the pies, the sky cleared and it was really beautiful, so naturally we headed off and did the climb. At the top, there was the visitor's book, but with a biro instead of a pencil. The paper in the book was so wet that the biro wouldn't write. Sure enough, after reaching the top, we headed back and the clouds and wind came back with a vengeance. Our daughter was only 11 years old at the time, and she kept getting blown off her feet by the wind. My wife had to stand upwind of her and I was downwind. I went down the chain stretch about 2 metres away from the chain. Daughter got lifted off her feet several times on the chain section. I can see how dangerous it can be.

Next morning, blue sky - not a trace of cloud. Water cascading from every little crevice in the rock. Brilliant colours on the rock. Absolutely stunning. Amazing place. The Olgas even moer amazing. Have never been back there - must go one day.

It's comic, folk complaining cos they can't go wherever they like. I'll come and crap in your backyard OK? Just like tourists that crap on top of Uluru which by the way is owned by the Anangu.

Allowing people to climb the rock is an exercise in risk management.

The people vested with making decisions on whether it is open or closed at any particular time of the day need to take account of the “lowest common denominator” when it comes to the ability of people to not only climb it with as little risk to themselves and others, but their ability to assess the prevailing conditions and its impact on doing the climb.

There is nothing unusual about that, it is the way of the world these days especially since common sense became less common.

And there is plenty of risk climbing it, the problem is many people simply fail to understand or appreciate what it is. This is understandable, for many people this might be the only climb they have done or will ever do.

In commentary I have read on this subject I see a common theme from many who expect to be able to climb simply because they have paid an entrance fee to the park and travelled hundreds of kilometres to get there – I say don’t be blind-sided by this thinking, it has been the downfall of many in all kinds of situations…

Uluru, or for those who prefer, Ayers Rock, has lured Australian’s since “Adam was a boy” and I get that – I’m not here to lecture on the topic, nor to argue for or against people climbing it, that is a choice for the individual

But can I suggest we give respect to those making daily decisions on climbing – it is doubtful those vested with the day to day decision making of opening and closing the climb concern themselves with anything other than the safety of intending climbers and those around them. From my experience these are decent people like you and me who generally have our best interest forefront of mind…


Cheers, Baz – The Landy

I have been to the Rock 9 times , first time was way back when l was in school . The first 6 or 7 trips was when there was really no restrictions , you could climb pretty much 24/7 .

I have been lucky enought to climb it with my 3 kids , even been there when it rained , fantastic sight

The Director of National Parks can over ride the decision if she feels necessary, She also sits on the board.

Cutting the chains is an act of vandalism that will put someone's life at risk. I've scrambled up and down various religious "sacred sites" all over the world. Like all religions, they are happy to let you do it if you give them money. Sacred sites are only sacred to members of the religion, to anyone else they are just a site. People should be free to have their particular religious taboos, just not free to impose them on others. Religious taboos make no sense. A climber on Uluru, may upset an indigenous person in the same way that my wife walking down the street without a head scarf might upset a muslim man. If I don't give a rats about the muslim man's feelings, then why should I where the indigenous person is concerned? I'm happy to respect a person's feelings in matters that may make sense, but that definitely excludes religious claptrap.

And don't bring up the "come into my home or on my land" argument. It doesn't wash. Uluru is a National Park open to the public where you pay entry fees. The Anangu people lease it back to the Australian people. To my knowledge there is no requirement in the lease to convert to "Dreaming" in the arrangement. You may think I'm anti indigenous ownership? I certainly am not. Good on them, but I do not want to discriminate against them by saying I will put up with their religious crap while not putting up with everyone else's. Equality sometimes has tough consequences.

More idiots! Climbing the rock is a great experience. The view you get of the rock itself is amazing, like a giant piece carved pottery. Highly recommend to anyone fit enough.

Cheers

Lyndon