Climbing Uluru to be banned from 2019

We did the base walk, which was great, but standing on top of that rock was one of the most awesome experiences of all my travels. You can choose not to climb, but in my opinion you are missing out on something spectacular that you’ll never forget.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

hypocritical? double standards? respect?

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You know while up north on our big trip I found the toilets where the indigenous chose to congregate were the cleanest, now not having lived or spent a lot of time in these towns I can't actually say it is like this all the time, but I can say this, caravan parks are disgusting.

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Originally Posted by Lemo

My wife and I travelled Aust some 20 years ago and at the time we opted not to climb and instead walked the circumference of the rock was a much better experience and we saw Uluru form a different and in my opinion better perspective.

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if you didnt climb, how do you know walking the circumference was the better experience?

i've done both and there is no comparision.
walking the olgas is better than uluru circumference walk imho.

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Originally Posted by Redback

but I can say this, caravan parks are disgusting.

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hey, we agree on something.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

if you didnt climb, how do you know walking the circumference was the better experience?

i've done both and there is no comparision.
walking the olgas is better than uluru circumference walk imho.

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Maybe not a better experience but different and one that not many people would do, like the bus loads of people that just go to climb? And maybe not go if they now can't??

We did take a scenic flight over the Olgas as well as the walks and yes could say it was much better then the Uluru walks.

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Originally Posted by justinc

😣😣😣 still going on....😬😬😬

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WELL STOP CLICKING ON THE LINK, YA WOBBLY!! [bigrolf]

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Originally Posted by Redback

It's all about respect, if you don't respect someone for their beliefs or wishes, regardless of what they are then you won't get respect in return, simple really.

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i can respect someones beliefs, but does that doesn't mean i have to follow or endorse them.

Climbed it in 1986, great experience and fantastic views but since then our laws have changed with recognition of the traditional owners. Owners can decide what happens on their property so if they say no then no it is. Things change, there are lots of things I could do in the 80s that are not allowed now unfortunately. Perhaps things will change again in the future. Went back there again a few years ago and walked around the base which was good but different. I think I can see both sides of the argument and appreciate that both sides are passionate about their views but the locals are now the owners and that's it.
We just need to accept and adapt to change

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Originally Posted by Lemo

Maybe not a better experience but different and one that not many people would do, like the bus loads of people that just go to climb? And maybe not go if they now can't??

We did take a scenic flight over the Olgas as well as the walks and yes could say it was much better then the Uluru walks.

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i'm not sure what it was like 20 years ago, but 5 years ago there wasnt a line up or busloads of people wanting to do the climb. majority did the sunrise/sunset trip and took photos from the lookout. many did the walk around or the Olgas.

the base of the climb isnt marked on the map and we stumbled upon it looking for the something else.

It's frustrating to read some of the comments from people who project no understanding at all of the significance of the rock to the indigenous people. Considering the history of European colonisation of this country it should come as no surprise. One man, Charles P Mountford , first visited Uluru in 1935. Mountford, O.B. E. , M.A.D.Litt. [ Adel.], Dip.Anthropol. [Cantab.]Hon.D.Litt. [ Melb. ], then set about finding out about the life of the Pitjandjara people. Living with them, studying them, culminating in a book," Ayers Rock, its people, their beliefs, and their art. " .

The book deals with Ayers Rock and its people, by discussing three aspects. From the Book;

"[ a ] The tribal country of the Pitjandjara , on the eastern boundary of which Ayers rock, or to give it the aboriginal name, Uluru, is situated , the daily life of the men and women, and their means of gaining a livelihood in their inhospitable desert country

[ b ] The aborigines' conception of the creation of their world , and in particular the mythological origin of the topographical features of Ayers Rock.

[ c ] A study of the graphic arts of Ayers Rock, ; the paintings in the many caves around the base of the monolith

In recent years the effects of civilization and the restrictive practices of the Christian Missions have caused rapid changes to take place in the culture of the Pitjandjara tribe. Therefore references will be made to their culture as it was when in 1940 I [ Mountford] made a long camel journey through their own country. At this time these people almost untouched by external influences were following their original way of life. "
Published in 1965, by Angus and Robinson, to me , climbing the Rock to admire the view, is walking around with your eyes open, but your mind shut.