Ayers rock

We have been to therock some years back and didnt feel the need to climb it. You will learn more by walking around the base of it then climbing it.. its not a big deal!!! Regards Michael

Steadylenny....steady, mate steady......

This debate has been keenly discussed on here often.

Please supply further info of your allegations, other than your obvious displeasure, before anyone goes off half cocked.

They may have had a very good reason for not opening it, today and tomorrow. Did you actually speak with someone. C'mon mate, more info required.

Fred

Interesting... I just created a poll to see what people think! Go to the Home Page and post your vote.

Michelle

Arrived here on 24th April great day, no wind , still closed , came next day still not open. Have been out in the docker river for past month doing it hard ,
Arrived back here today to try one last time to climb the rock after walking around it 3times in past few years , heading to fink desert race in morning so will probably miss out yet again.
It's a scam and the more people that know about it the better as money talks and bull bleep walks so see you do-gooder later enjoy your walk if you don't want to climb it then walk around it . Me , I want to climb it and so does my son.

Paid tax here in this country all my life , pay the wages for all you government employed beuracrats . There was a ranger , his partner , and supervisor at my car today and not oneof them could really justify the closure other than saying it's out of their control.

They blamed the coroner , the government , the weather !,

We have become a country where half the people are employed to make sure the other half comply with their laws , I am proudly the other half.


Cheers

Hi Lenny

Am with you all the way ive climbed it 3 times first time we went it was closed due to the possibilty of rain not a cloud in the sky funny that
but i reckon if you drive in my case almost 3000 kms im going to climb it last time i looked its in australia not north korea or china
so lenny count me in to lobby canberra that only 250km aways

Glenn

My advice is, don't go there expecting to climb it, and you won't be disappointed, you'll have a much better holiday and you won't need to complain. If the planets align and you get to climb the thing (I never have, but that's my choice, and I lived there for two years) then it,s a bonus for you and you can rejoice to your hearts content.

When I visited earlier this year I also had a similar rage to you ..I think it may stay with me for ever as even reading your post has gotten me fired up again!

I was just passing through the area and decided to stay the night so booked a camp site at one of the '5 resorts!?' as I knew it was national park and wanted to respect the land. Was shocked to find the camp sites looking like one of those postcards of Bondi beach, tents and people all cramped in together, there was no way I was camping there. Upgraded to the cheapest accommodation in resort city - still not that cheap.

Everything about the place was by the 'tourist dollar' fair enough however upon morning when departing and wanting a 10min drive and look at the rock being told it cost $25 per person, not vehicle, no exception just blew me away - literally.

I respect the no climb and I respect the land, and i'm sure many others visiting this place would feel the same. I cant help feeling though that this is above those who own the land and there is perhaps a bit of a gravy train happening for certain fat cats?
I also found that, unlike many other areas of significance I didn't learn anything about the history/culture of the traditional people, it all seemed just commercialized.

Just to make it clear, this isn't an attack on traditional owners but the admin of the process including these profiteering motives!

I didn't stay angry long once I left as when I passed the power station it cracked me up, the place really is a resort city!

Ok, living out here and dealing with the local indigenous Tradition land Owners (T.O's) I don't profess to know everything about the rock, or indeed about anything.. but I will add my 5 cents worth (rounding up) anyway.

However I'd like to start by pointing out that the ENTRY FEE for the park is NOT $100. It's $25 per person for a 3 day entry permit... which does NOT guarantee that the Climb will be open or that you will be able to climb the rock - indeed your entry permit states that it is the wish of the T.O's that you don't climb the rock anyway.... back to what I was saying - your post makes it look like you've paid a lot more than is required for any person to go to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. So now that this is cleared up perhaps I'll tentatively go on to the next subject.

Climbing the rock.
If the wind at the BASE of the rock (and they check it at about 50 metres up the rock) is 10 km/h then it's likely to be well over 30 km/h at the top, it's generally 3 to 5 X the speed at ground level.. It's a WINDY AREA.. there is nothing out there to divert or stop or change the wind, you are getting winds that have travelled hundreds of kilometres without any interference and they'll blow you straight off of the top. And if you get blown of the top of the rock you'll die. No doubt about that, you'll be stone cold dead when you stop at the bottom of the rock. Which would end up with the entire area being closed off to extract the mashed up mess that is your body.
On top of that, the T.O's would then mourn YOUR death, despite not knowing you... because you died on their lands.

** Oh yeah, I might point out that driving around the rock you'll notice that the Climb Point is greatly sheltered from the wind, go to the far end of the rock from that (where the old airstrip used to be) and you'll notice that the wind is ROARING through there.. so much that it can push coaches across the road! Don't worry, I've been there and seen it hundreds of times.. so I'm not making it up.

The climb isn't only closed because of wind. It's closed due to predicted rain (because if it rains while you are up there you'll have to be helicoptered OFF the rock (at around $700 to do that!) because you can't climb back down a slippery rock without a huge risk of slipping off).

The climb is also closed due to heat. Because if it's over 30 degrees at ground level it's going to be worse up there due to radiant heat off the rock itself (as it has a habit of just soaking up heat.. so at say 40 degrees on ground level the top of the rock is going to have a radiant heat of around 50+ degrees! it's like a giant oven). Oh yeah, and people rarely take enough water and end up with serious dehydration or heat stroke climbing at less than 30 degrees (which is the temp they close the climb at).

The climb is closed due to other issues as well, such as cultural reasons, or other health and safety reasons. It's got nothing to do with Canberra or the government, it's checked several times EVERY DAY by the NP&WS, and in consultation with the T.O's.
On the subject of the Govt (and no, I'm no fan of them either) they aren't closing the climb - you might recall Mr Midnight Oil stating that the Climb would NOT BE CLOSED... so what you've stated in your above rant is definitely wrong when you look at the official view of the Govt and it's Ministers.

Oh yeah, I climbed the rock in 1997. But at that time we were not as culturally aware about things like climbing the rock, and since I've learned a lot of things about the T.O's and about their culture, and levels of respect, and of course about the people who've died on the rock I certainly wouldn't be considering doing it again - despite the great view.. Oh yeah, in 1997 we weren't so Health & Safety conscious, so the climb was open more.

The Climb is closed around 75% of the time. (there are official figures if you ask one of the Rangers, they can tell you the exact number of days, or part days that the climb is closed)

Lastly, it is Culturally wrong to climb the rock, perhaps you could concentrate on learning a bit more about the culture of the T.O's and then you might understand it, but by the tone of your original rant I would guess you won't do that.

It's a very prickly and touchy subject.

Personally speaking my opinion is that people who want to climb the rock should have to spend an hour or two learning about the culture of the T.O's, and about the deaths caused as a direct result of the climbing of the rock (over 30 of them, and the last one was last year!), THEN if they still wish to climb they should be allowed to - regardless of the prevailing weather conditions.. But hey, they should pay a $15,000 refundable deposit before they go - which can pay for the extraction of the body should it be required... oh yeah, and the counselling of the Rangers who have to do the extraction of said climbers body.




Oh yeah, but it's all just my views, my knowledge having lived beside the rock, and worked with the indigenous T.O's AND the Rangers, and of course having seen the rock closed to extract the body of a climber who died at the top last year... ummm, and of course my opinions.

Take it as you will.. but I thought I might add my views to the mix.

Good luck with your petitioning of the Govt.

Well I've just made my mind up...
I've never been to AYERS ROCK - refuse to call it Uluru sorry!
I've always wanted to, but with all the garbage that goes along with it these days - I say forget it!
Think I'll take photos from afar.
It's attitudes like some on this thread that are ruining peoples fun and right to explore this great country of OURS.
The traditional owners couldn't really give a toss about the rock until they became aware that they could make some money out of it.
Good on you steadylenny for having the balls to say what you think.

Just go elswhere

peak charles

more remote, just as big, just as immpressive a monolith sticking up from a flat plain

24/7/365 access including climbing

no fees to enter or camp

Perhaps if everybody were to boycott going to Ayres Rock and no money was "earned" from tourists attitudes would change. There are plenty of over places to visit. As an atheist I do not believe in religion and know that most wars are caused by religious intolerance. I also believe in one Australia where all people are equal and that one group of people should not have preferential treatment over the other.

Am I wrong or does it appear that one race can own something and dictate who and what will happen to it, in this multicultural country?

I suppose you could include some of the religious buildings around but not a lot of the public want to got here anyway.

Bill

Climb it at midnight Lenny like we did you will find that all the beaurecrats are in bed then.

What a rant...anyone who did their research would already know the situation, before
driving 1000k & expecting to climb the rock. It has been thus for years. The rules are
clearly laid out, as posted elsewhere in responses. Complain as you will..the only result will be bringing forward the date it closes completely......oldbaz.

What a confusing and at times a bit irrational bunch of posts.
One bloke got all emotional about the term "our rock". Why shouldn't it be "our rock" as in all Australians.
There was even a rambling rant about "what a good bloke I am" because he served in the army...guess what sunshine.....a lot of us did. What the hell has that got to do with climbing "The Rock"??
It looks like the final say about whether you climb or not rests with the National Parks so why not check with them before going there??


ob

This is obviously a sensitive subject, and there are some comments that are bordering on offensive.
Like most things, there is a simple alternative.
Petition Julia for funding to build a Ayers Rock 11.
Put is closer to a heavily populated area for easier and cheaper access, and build safety nets around it to allow climbing in windy, wet, hot, dry, cold, or any other conditions, or an escalator for us old people.
Only charge $10 to climb the rock, and for those unfit people, when you get tired, have some llama's shipped over from Peru to carry you back down for a charge.
You could even make it in sections, and tow it around Australia so everyone could have a go.
No more arguments over religion, long drives or Indigenous sensitivities.
Have a series of LED spotties around it so it be called the red, green, blue, or even pink rock to help raise money for cancer research.
Maybe have a section fitted with anchor points for winching your 4x4 up to the top.
The build cost could be reduced by allowing Macca's to license a cafe on the high point so foul tasting coffee or a greasy (alleged) burger could be downed while overlooking the surrounding pastures. A competition to see how far the discarded wrappers could fly could be backed on internet gambling sites for a percentage of the profits.
I'm sure Peter Garrett or Penny Wong could arrange this with their usual level of skills, and we could all share in the financial bounty it would produce.

And when you get to the top at lunchtime, what do you really feel like!! Its just a thought!! MichaelImage Could Not Be Found

I'm "lead to Believe" that Ayres Rock is basically iron ore. Correct me if I am wrong. If it is iron ore, why not blow it up and ship it to Japan. If it is not iron ore still blow it up and sell it to the Yanks. All problems solved.

Currently in Alice Springs and was at Uluru all last week and it was open the 4 days we were there, it only closed the day we left when it started to rain!! Why get all upset when all you have to do is ask. I lived at Yulara for 2 1/2 years and only ever saw it closed over 36 degrees or in the rain. The isolated exception was if an elder in the Mutijulu community had passed away.

A hint for those wanting to climb - although this would not help in Steadylenny's scenario as he said it did not open and would not open the next day: Get there early as soon as the gate is opened. Often it is still in the morning and soon after the breeze starts and it is closed again. Also on hot days, the earlier the better chance of getting started before it is closed, as well as for your own comfort and safety.

Mh

Phew…quite a thread!

A bloke drive thousands of kilometres and because he can’t walk up ‘The Rock’ a tantrum ensues, and all and sundry are to blame. Politicians, Aboriginals, National Parks, Native Title Act, and we are all asked to beat a path to parliament house to ‘reclaim’ Australia for all Australians…

Mate, try a cup of tea, a bex, a couple of deep breathes and a lie down…you’ll feel better in the morning…At least I hope for your sake, not worth blowing a gasket over, surely?

Gday Steadylenny,

Isnt it funny how people can have a whinge about anything they like on here and no one really gives a rats, but complain about something to do with blackfellas and all hell brakes loose! (not that you even mentioned them in your original post).

Imagine if I drove to Sydney to climb the bridge and the weather conditions weren't right and had a winge.......no one would care......
Mind you I would probably get a refund I suppose. LOL

G'day Lenny

Well done on stimulating plenty of discussion.

Seems to me though that:
1. Uluru isn't closed, i.e. climbing is not banned
2. The traditional owners have reached a compromise between their culture and open access i.e. they simply state that they'd prefer it not be climbed.
3. Public safety is a good reason to close access, so your argument is against those who have to make the decision to close it for safety reasons. There's is a tough call and they are always likely to err on the side of caution.

I reckon most travelling Australians would know this, and if they have the strong motivation to climb Uluru as you do, then they would factor in enough time there to achieve their goal. For your sake, I hope you were able to make it.

Cheers
John

Just for the record, I first climbed Uluru in 1967.
I last climbed in 2003, 18 months after fighting 13 months successfully trying to save a leg (something to prove, maybe). And I climbed a couple of times in between too.
Will I climb it again?
Don't know. But i would like to make my own mind up on that question.
My father watched a sunrise from the top in 1952 (I think),...... and the shadow went above the horizon in the west. ......And there were small fish in pools at the summit..... and......and.....

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome.

Boy o Boy Steadylenny nothing like stiring the pot.