Climb the Rock

Hello Doug,

Nowhere near as early as you. I first climbed in 1989, then again in 1991, 1994 and 2006.

No stories really except saw a man so afraid that when he got to the top of the chain he straddled it and came down that way. Other than that just the usual school trip kids going way too far away from the chain. That made me glad that I was with my kids when they climbed.

Viv

The old arch has gone, replaced no doubt by the golden "pay here" arches.
Knew a guy who had a video of a trail bike going up and down the rock...hard to imagine and harder not to think how thoughtless it must have been.

When i was a young child (not sure of what year - probably mid 1950s) our single neighbour sold his farm to go touring. He purchased a Landrover and a small caravan, and together with his dog spent many years doing laps of Australia, turning up every couple of years with a whole new box of slides to show us. A great favourite (his and mine) was Ayres Rock. It was a rough track, so he used to leave the caravan in Alice and go to the rock and stay for a couple of weeks, photographing its many colours. I don't think he ever saw another person while out there. He also went on the the Olgas. Of all his photos, this area was the most fascinating to me. I don't recall him even taking of climbing the rock.

It took me around 50 years to realise my ambition of seeing the rock - but i did not do the climb. His slides and travellers tales set it in my mind a determination to caravan around Australia some day.

Motherhen

I climbed the rock twice in one day (2004), once with my daughter, the second time with my son after the wind had dropped.

The next time we were there (2005), we spent several hours walking through the Olgas before heading across to the rock. The three of us got to the top of the chain before I had to pack it in or they would have been carting me off in a box.

Needless to say, my son and daughter still give me a hard time about it.

Doug T (NT)

First climbed the rock in 1979 again in 1986, 1992 and 2003.

Have no stories to tell just that it gets steeper and higher each time I climb it.



A J

Climbed it first in 1967.
Drove in through those gates in a Mini 850.

Climbed again a couple of times in the 70s. Saw the water pouring off in 1974(?). Unbelievable!

Last climbed in 2003, purely as proof to myself after nearly losing a leg in 2001.

My father climbed before dawn in 1953(?) and took a pic with the shadow poking up above the horizon. There were small fish swimming in pools on the top.

It does not matter how many times I see it, it always impresses, although, I reccon the old approach was better?

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

I was up there early Sep. last year. Was interesting to see heaps of school kids at the top and nearly every one of them with a cell phone glued to their ear "Guess where I am Mum" :-))

I was talking to couple with their 5 & 7 year old girls up there ! No problems, just a stroll in the park.

.

Doug. A bit of a change here. I have never climbed the rock, drove past but never went in, we have admired it from afar. We were told that the owners do not like you climbing it so we have stayed away.
So is that true?
If not, Next time we are that way do you recommend it?

Cheers Tony

Sorry all for the typo error

ies on Climbing Ayres Rock, Ayers Rock looks a little better,

Thanks Viv .

.

Hi Doug,

My Mum took me on a camping trip on a Redline Bus when I was 12 - I think we went to Ayers Rock in 1961.

There was NOTHING there in those days. We climbed the rock and it was a snack. I remember though, being petrified coming down and came down most of the way on my arse. As there was no chain fence then and the rock is so smooth and bare, I think I was worried about slipping not stopping till I hit the bottom.

We spent a full day inspecting the caves around the base of the rock. I went back there with my kids ten years ago and much of the base is now fenced off.

Cheers,

Willie.

I first climbed it as a 10 year old in '74 and then in 2004 with my eldest daughter, will have to do it again with my other 2 kids. I remember growling at 2 young boys, about 12, running up the rock right near the edge, they soon came closer to the chain, there parents were about 20 metres behind them, great parenting. I also saw 4 Asians who dropped there camera into what you call a small gorge, 10-15 drop, they wanted to try and climb down this very steep edge to get there $300 camera, myself and a number of others said "don't be a b----y idiot, they soon came to there senses and left the camera there.

cheers,

Lance

I sat and wasn't going to say too much about this post but it is one of those things that make me wonder about the changes made over the years of travelling and how I have witnessed, often first hand, the lack of respect for so many ways of life and the people who live in the far flung corners of my country.

Like Tony B..I have driven passed..in..around..even camped when it was allowed way back when at Ayres Rock / Uluru.

I never did climb...the early 70's was my first time there and we met an older Aboriginal man who told of how his people saw the rock as something sacred and pointed to the tourists climbing..he was almost in tears.

That got me to thinking ..would I climb on the roof of the Vatican or St Pauls Cathedal..shinny up the face of St Mary's..no I am not religious as such..but some places deserve respect.

And yet the last trip through that part of the country I got to speaking with both young and old Aboriginal people.

The old continue to ask that people have respect and not climb..the younger stand at the tourist centre collecting money..same people...two different ideas on just how to treat the rock.

I suppose one answer is for the NP and Aboriginal people to take down the chain..fence the rock off completely due to the number of people killed each year climbing.

They closed or suggested closing the Simpson during summer after less people died..so why not the rock as well.

I am no apologist for the "traditional owners" indeed quite proud of my own culture..but sometimes I come across things and ways in other cultures that really question the term 'Respect'

While I am on a roll and may as well take 'flack' for a few things at once..

Why is that some city folks see it as there right to abuse those who run roadhouses or campgrounds if they are closed before the tourist arrives..or the pie is not to their liking or the price of diesel is higher than it is in Melblourne or Sydney..the list could go on

Gets back to that lack of respect I guess.

My two cents worth

G'day Doug
My wife and I last climbed the rock in 93. When we got to the top there was a Japanese bloke by the plaque at the top trying to tell us something while he was setting up a camera tripod. We couldn't understand him and left. As we had walked away a little distance, I happened to look back to see this bloke standing on top of the plinth, stark naked posing for a picture using a self timer on the camera tripod. It gave us a good laugh and the way the wind was blowing that day, probably gave him a chill in certain areas to, lol.
Thanks for posting the old photos.
Regards Jon

I climbed the Rock in 1963. Was touring in a VW beetle. Dirt road all the way from Alice.

No one was around the rock and we approached the rock and found a climbing route. On top we found a painted track so followed it down.

I don't have to not climb the rock to respect aboriginal culture and ways. Bit like a Jew respecting a Catholic viewpoint without agreeing to it or complying with it.

Alan

Doug, judging by all the replies, I take it one cant drive up there.

Bummer........lol.


Cheers.....Lionel.

Lionel
No ... no driving , My post was to get some people's experiences on the visit to the Rock , like when, how long ago, I didn't really need to know the ethics about who owns it , what's right or wrong , to climb or not to climb , but ....oh well it is freedom of speech I guess ... anyhow thanks to all who replied .

.

At first I wondered about how the bloke with the landcruiser and bike got them to the top of the rock!

I've been up a few times.

Second last time [1994] saw an aboriginal family climbing!

Won't do it again, basically because the better experience is the trip around.

When I got to the top first time, I was amazed at the number of other rock structures not so different across the plains.

Hot day the first climb. Half way down we met an overweight American climbing. I told him there was a Coke machine at the top. ... He was so pleased. I didn't have the heart to explain Aussie humour!

Doug
I did an extension on a residence for a bloke who for a while was a forensic pathologist in Darwin. He told me he did 19 trips to the rock to asertain the cause of death of people who the majority were trying to chase down their hat, then it got steeper and steeper..........
Mal

I also wonder how many of you looked SSE to the horizon and could see Mount Woodroffe, South Australia's highest peak, at 1,435 metres and 130Klm away.

.

Just met someone who lost her Aunty( from England) who died on the rock in 63 (she was only 25) her Aunts Plaque is one of only 5 still remaining at the site, very sad moment, having met the niece and taking a good look at the Rock I said no way, but the day will come very soon when climbing the Rock will be banned, so if you feel the need to do it then do it before its too late!
my 2 bobs worth.

G'day Doug and All.

I first climbed the rock in 1973. Back again in 82, 85, 93, 2005, 06 and 07. That's seven climbs and every time I swear I'll never do it again. Sucker. In '73 I remember an elderly tall, proud aboriginal chap emerging from the bush with his 2 women trailing behind carrying his spears, woomera and two large boomerangs. He was wearing only an old pair of shorts and had the initiation scars across his chest. He stood outside the front of the store there without saying a word until the manager came out and they traded cash for the two boomerangs and a spear. Satisfied, the bloke signaled to the women and they all wandered back into the bush. Truly amazing. As kids we were gobsmacked.

Cheers Mick

We were there in 1994.

Stood at the base.

Looked at the plaques to thos who died.

Assessed my physical capabilities.

Went into town and had a beer and a bowl of chips instead.

Bought a badge that said "I did NOT climb Ayers Rock".

Aboriginals want to ban us from their sacred sites . . . .

hmmm - I know what the response would be if anyone suggested banning aboriginals from europeans' sacred sites.

I loved it. the place feels eerie heaps better than i expected and no i didn't climb it had our 4yo with us and was told by Rangers that heaps of full water bottles come bouncing down the hill from weary walkers trying to put them in back packs and could knock a child off so better be safe than sorry. Balko

Been there twice. First time about 75. Flew a light aircraft from Cloncurry for the May Day weekend. Flew to the Rock and back on the Sunday. Did not climb it as time was short and as I was flying did not want to be exhausted.

Second trip in mid 80's this time by road. Stayed overnight and climbed it that time. It was June and I remember what was a slight stone chip on the windscreen in the evening was long crack next morning due to the frost.

Will have a short stopover there in a few weeks when I fly Perth - Ayres Rock - Cairns.

Climbed the rock in 88 with my wife, 10 year old son & 8 year old daughter. We got a short way past the end of the chain and I noticed someone about 50 metres ahead drop a 2 litre bottle of drink.
As it started half rolling and half skidding toward us I bent ready to catch it. By the time it was half way to us, the plan changed to fending off a menacing projectile. Fortunately it veered to one side missing us by a metre or two.
No problem the rest of the way up, but as we approached the decent my daughter came to a stop declaring "I can't go down, it's too high, I don't like it!"
A short exchange of words and she wraps dad around her little finger, as she does to this day, and we both came down backwards every step to the chain.
Cheers Roy

G`day Doug,
The only time I climbed it was in April 1964, there was no chain just a painted white line for a short part of the way up/down.
There was no plaques for those that had died while climbing that I recall.
There was a cairn made of stones at the top which had a plywood board with the largest pencil I had ever seen tied to it with string.It was impossible to find a spot to write anything, you just wrote your name over someone else's.
The ranger had advised us the night before to wear "Desert Boots" and thick socks, (this was to save the skin on the knuckles of your toes when descending) and to begin the climb at daylight to avoid the heat.

I think the only fee we paid was 5 pound for the camp site, and that was for 4 of us, myself and 3 mates.

I hope to get back there this year but I wont be doing any climbing .

A good post Doug,

Scrubby.