Wednesday, 6 November 2024

Closer look at Uluru/Ayers Rock

More on Uluru/Ayers Rock.

The Anangu people own Uluru/Ayers Rock and the land is leased to the Australian Government Parks Australia and the Anangu people work together as partners, jointly managing the national park using a mix of modern science and traditional knowledge.

Uluru has been sacred to Anangu for tens of thousands of years, and climbing Uluru was not generally permitted under Anangu law and Culture.
Visitors began climbing Uluru in the late 1930's and to keep people safe, the first section of the climb, chain was installed in 1964.
The climb was closed in 2017 due to the spiritual significance of the site and the danger of climbing.  There is a $10,000 Fine if you are found climbing Uluru.
It is estimated that 37 people have died on Uluru since Western tourists began climbing the site in the middle of last century via a track so steep in parts that some scared visitors descend backward or on all fours.  Some slipped on wet rock and feel to their deaths.

I took some close-up photos of part of the rock plus some climbers going up and coming down.  You can see some are on all fours.  So the photos of the climbers were taken in 2016.







71 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Would be good to visit once again, but it's hot there this time of year, warm in winter and cold at night in winter.

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  2. What beautiful pictures of these red mountains.
    I don't want to think about climbing a mountain, I don't think I'm suited for that.
    Greetings Irma

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  3. Margaret, as far as I can see, the slopes are very smooth and there aren't many places to hold onto. They are very dangerous.

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    1. Yes, it's rather dangerous Norma, more after rain as it's slippery.

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  4. Grandes fotos de esas momtañas rojas. Me gustan
    Muchas Gracias por tus deseos Margaret. Tardaran en recomponerse, pero ójala los veamos pronto haciendo vida normal
    Buena semana.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Thank you, Laura and you are welcome and thanks for your reply.

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  5. I am glad that climbing Uluru has been banned. We don't after all even think about climbing a cathedral (or most of us don't).

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    1. I'm pleased it was banned too EC. No need to be climbing the rock.

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  6. It look quite dangerous - very smooth and no hand grips. However, I had read sometime ago that climbing Uluru had been banned and I for one agree that Anangu law and Culture should be respected.

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    1. It is dangerous, Rosemary so I'm pleased climbing it is now banned. Respect for their culture is a good thing.

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  7. I think it is good that people can no longer climb the rock as it is unsafe and disrespectful to those who have a sacred connection to it

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    1. R, you are correct in what you say, and I agree with you, should never have started way back.

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  8. It looks so good up front and close personal

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    1. It does, gives us an idea of what the surface is really like.

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  9. I think it is good that people can no longer climb the rock, it looks very dangerous but importantly it is disrespectful to those who have a sacred connection to it.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I agree Jan. I'm also pleased climbing was banned and may it always stay that way.

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  10. I am quite behind with my knowledge as I wasn't aware climbing had been made illegal and I thought it was still a request for respect. My sister did climb the rock in the early 2000s. It certainly is impressive.

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    1. It's never been ok to climb the rock Andrew, but people just did it until it was banned. Your sister did a good job to get up there and back again.

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  11. It's a beautiful rock and I remember the newspaper cartoon after the climb was made illegal, which showed men climbing the Vatican and the caption reads "nobody knows why but they are Australian" I kept it and it is on my wall.

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    1. Oh, I didn't see that cartoon, made me smile. However, a lot of people that were climbing both times we visited were visitors from other countries.

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  12. Well done - I climbed the pyramids outside Mexico City - scary and came down
    on my bottom one huge step at a time. Never have I been so scared so Ayers
    Rock would NEVER have had me trying it.

    Oh yes - tried to send you an e-mail re: the Cup.
    It failed so could you e-mail me, please.
    Another miserable day here - wet and cold.
    Cheers
    Colin

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    1. Well, I'm glad you didn't climb Uluru/Ayers Rock, Colin, you would have been coming down on your backside most of the way from what I've seen other people doing, more so people who are not trained climbers.
      Yes, I will email you.

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  13. It's so big. You don't realize how big it is until you see the people.

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    1. Definitely best to see people standing in front of the rock, not always that people are right where you want them to be though, but that would be typical.

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  14. Wow. It's really beautiful.
    I don't think I fancy climbing it.

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    1. Me neither Liam. It is beautiful and magical to be there and see it in person.

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  15. It beautiful to see and admire but a bit crazy to climb it.

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  16. Very amazing rock...
    just look from this post is a great experience too and now i know their rules...

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  17. Why does the rock stand in total isolation? Was it ever part of a much bigger mountainous structure?

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    1. Apparently not, Hels, just stands alone, no other rocks near it at all. About 40 km from the rock are the Olgas/Kata Tjuta, these are wonderful to see as well but in my opinion not as good as Uluru.

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  18. An iconic and well known landmark. I am glad that its cultural heritage has been respected.

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  19. intriguing rocks wow
    they look so flat and climbing on flat rocks can be really dangerous i agree
    you took some awesome shots !
    the sky against looks amazingly blue

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  20. Bonitos colores de esas prodigiosas montañas.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Yes, beautiful colours and the whole is known as the red centre.

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  21. Bonitos colores de esas prodigiosas montañas.
    Un abrazo.

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  22. This partnership between the Anangu people and the Australian government is very interesting. Uluru is truly an imposing, magical and absolutely fantastic place.
    Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing.

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    1. You are welcome, Maria. It's a wonderful place to visit.

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  23. Your closer photos make me more surprised. People look like climbing a camel's back.

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  24. Se ve precioso Margaret, me encantaría ver esas montañas personalmente. Me alegra que esté prohibido escalarlas. Besos.

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    1. They sure are gorgeous, Teresa. I too am pleased no one is permitted to climb it now.

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  25. Querida amiga, fotografías impresionantes de esa montañas, hay que tenerles respeto y admirarla, son joyas de la naturaleza.
    Abrazos y besos

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  26. It is amazing, a geological wonder, and I enjoyed the history of it also. Great photos Margaret!

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  27. Mesmo correndo riscos as pessoas não gostam de virar a cara aos desafios.
    Abraço de amizade.
    Juvenal Nunes

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    1. It certainly was a big challenge for people to climb the rock. It good it's not permitted now.

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  28. I'm worn out just looking at the rocks much less climbing them! lol
    hugs
    Donna

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  29. The history and cultural significance of Uluru is truly fascinating, and your photos from 2016 must have captured a pivotal moment before the climb was closed for good. It’s so important to respect both the cultural heritage and the safety of visitors. The contrast between the beauty of Uluru and the danger it presents really highlights the wisdom behind the decision to close the climb. The collaboration between the Anangu people and Parks Australia is a powerful example of how traditional knowledge and modern science can work together in harmony.

    I just shared a blog, please let me know what you think: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/11/why-duex-float-portable-monitor-is-game-changer.html

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    1. It's always good to work together without too many problems, Melody.

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  30. Querida amiga, que tengas un feliz fin de semana, lleno de amor.
    Abrazos y besitos

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  31. The views are beautiful and the mountain has a unique color. I think it was right to ban people from climbing it, because so many victims is a lot.
    Especially since the probability of even a small mistake can lead to death.
    I generally don't like risk and taking on dangerous events or challenges. I think that just looking at the top gives great satisfaction and joy.
    And the photos are of great value today, you can see the scale of a person and the scale of the mountain's size.
    Warm greetings.

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