Thread: Ayers Rock

I think the painted lines were there in '75, but cant be sure (CRAFT). The gap in the chain was after the first long steep section to a position colloqially referred to as "chicken rock", where those who were unsure of their ability, would turn around and return whence they came. This gap I'm sure, was still there in '85.

Climbed the Rock in 1963 after travelled from Laverton WA. No chains in existence then.

I climbed to the top of the cathedral in Cologne after paying my money. As for the rock, it doesn't help when idiots perform stunts like golfing or strip teases up there. Perhaps organized guided climbs like the Harbour bridge climb with appropriate commentary on any cultural significance would be a good compromise?

Originally Posted by mikehzz

I climbed to the top of the cathedral in Cologne ........

I'm sure you smelled very nice too..



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Originally Posted by mikehzz

.................. Perhaps organized guided climbs like the Harbour bridge climb with appropriate commentary on any cultural significance would be a good compromise?

Does it have to be commentary on cultural significance ?? Personally that would bore me to tears. Why can't it be commentary on the geology and how the rock was really formed...........actually I'd still be a bit bored, but we know the 'serpent beings' didn't make the rock
Everyone's entitled to their beliefs, but I don't need a guide to talk BS and tell me how to walk up a big lump of sandstone.
I climbed it in '04 and went back in '08 to do it again but the climb was closed while we were there (they were still very happy to take our $56 to enter the park though) I'll get back there again one day.
For those who chose not to climb, I can tell you, you are passing up the opportunity to stand in one of the most magnificent locations on Earth.

I thought I would put this photo in this thread too, as its related.
Some may have read the Leyland Bros book." Where Dead Men Lie"
If I remember the trip was in 1967 or 68. I came some time later and cut their tracks and managed to find the tree they blazed as their centre of Australia.


My wife and I went back in the 80,s and couldnt find it. Either my recollection of its position was out or it had been souvenired.
Didiman

I had the opportunity to climb the rock last year but only managed to make it about half way due to a bug I managed to catch at the most inopportune time. I read the warnings on the notice board and reluctantly took their advice not to climb

However, from another perspective, I did talk to a lot of people at the time who did do the climb... both to the top and not... and a lot of them expressed their absolute fear experienced at some sections during the climb.
I watched from a distance one female japanese tourist who was glued to the chain at one of the most dangerous narrow sections and too petified to move. I observed a number of people trying to get by her by reluctantly letting go of the chain and inching their way round. It gave me the shivers watching just how close they were to the edge of a near vertical unprotected drop. Its no wonder that their have been something like 39 deaths on this rock. (supposedly mostly from heart attacks)
It made me seriously think about attempting it again in the future.
On a secondary note, It also made me wonder why in my workplace I can't work at a height over 2m without wearing some kind of protective fall arrestor harness and yet they will let anyone climb to a height of some 350m in what can be dubious weather conditions with a high risk of injury or probable death in the event of a fall... whatever happened to 'duty of care' by owners, authorities and tour operators?
I would have thought that instead of a safety chain a light harness system (permanently attached to the climber) would still allow the climber to experience the 'rush' of the climb whilst ensuring their safety (and everyone elses).
I understand that this post may seem a little 'alarmist' or seeking to deaden the excitement of the 'thrillseekers' out there, but it is not meant to be...... only to make people aware that there are genuinely terrified people on these climbs who do not realise the risk until they are up there.

Now for the flaming ..

Originally Posted by rapserv

I had the opportunity to climb the rock last year but only managed to make it about half way due to a bug I managed to catch at the most inopportune time. I read the warnings on the notice board and reluctantly took their advice not to climb

However, from another perspective, I did talk to a lot of people at the time who did do the climb... both to the top and not... and a lot of them expressed their absolute fear experienced at some sections during the climb.
I watched from a distance one female japanese tourist who was glued to the chain at one of the most dangerous narrow sections and too petified to move. I observed a number of people trying to get by her by reluctantly letting go of the chain and inching their way round. It gave me the shivers watching just how close they were to the edge of a near vertical unprotected drop. Its no wonder that their have been something like 39 deaths on this rock. (supposedly mostly from heart attacks)
It made me seriously think about attempting it again in the future.
On a secondary note, It also made me wonder why in my workplace I can't work at a height over 2m without wearing some kind of protective fall arrestor harness and yet they will let anyone climb to a height of some 350m in what can be dubious weather conditions with a high risk of injury or probable death in the event of a fall... whatever happened to 'duty of care' by owners, authorities and tour operators?
I would have thought that instead of a safety chain a light harness system (permanently attached to the climber) would still allow the climber to experience the 'rush' of the climb whilst ensuring their safety (and everyone elses).
I understand that this post may seem a little 'alarmist' or seeking to deaden the excitement of the 'thrillseekers' out there, but it is not meant to be...... only to make people aware that there are genuinely terrified people on these climbs who do not realise the risk until they are up there.

Now for the flaming ..

Yes, lets ruin everything with OH&S

What ever happened to people thinking for themselves, if your too fat/unfit/scared, don't climb?