Should tourists climb Uluru?

Well, I did climb it, (when I was fit enough to do so!), and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life, which I will never, ever, forget,...and neither will Wifey.
Respect?...absolutely, and we knew exactly what we were doing, and where we were, when we climbed it.
Sacred sites?. I am a practising Anglican,..we have plenty of sacred sites, all over the World. A Church is a "sacred Site", and the Sanctuary is very much more so. We do not stop anyone from entering, they are free to enter any part of the Church they wish, as long as they remember where they are, and behave appropriately.
I cannot remember the names of the "Traditional Owners" of The Rock, I'm sure someone can tell me, I thought it began with an A, but from what I've read, there are divided views on what they would like to do. 50% apparently want to close it for climbing, but the other 50% want to close it, make it safer, allow climbing, and then charge for the climb, with which I do not have an issue.
So, my advice would be, if you can, and you need to be reasonably fit,...climb it,....it's an experience that you will never forget. But do not forget where you are, and what you are doing,.....and yes, of course show & think "respect", because this state of mind will obviously add, to what will be a most memorable experience.
Pickles.

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Originally Posted by strangy

Climb it as often as you can.

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why are you saying that?

you have been asked not to by the traditional owners.

are you just being beligerant?

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Originally Posted by bob10

Any one wishing to learn the culture and history of the Pitjandjara and their lands should read a book by Dr. C P Mountford, " Ayers Rock, Its people their beliefs and their art. " first published 1965. From the back cover;

Dr Mountford's remarkable career in exploration and anthropological research has been recognised by awards from from many sources.These include an Honorary Fellowship of the National Geographic society of America- a unique honour bestowed for his leadership of the Society's Arnhem Land expedition, for which he also received the rare Franklin Burr award for outstanding leadership. He is the only man to have led two National Geographic expeditions within Australia, one to Arnhem Land, and another to Melville Island, and has led eight expeditions for the University of Adelaide into the remote areas of the continent. He holds the Thompson Gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society of Qld. The John Lewis medal for Geographic research, given by the Royal Geographic society of S.A., and the Natural history medallion of Australia for Anthropological Research. His skilled photographic work among the aborigines has been recognised by the Sherlock Gold Cup and the Kodak medal.

It's a very interesting read. He has published ten other books on aborigines, some of which I'm trying to track down.

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How many awards have the Aboriginal people he studied and photographed presented him with?
Whilst all those awards he has got are probably a fine thing in the circles in which he moved, how many of his works merely continue the lip-service that has been portrayed over the years regarding the real history of those people, not just how they have been "advanced" under the benevolent rule of a government that, in living history, considered them as vermin on a par with wild dogs? :confused:

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Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

why are you saying that?



you have been asked not to by the traditional owners.



are you just being beligerant?

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Are you a Yes or No? That's all the threads asks......

Its a public forum, if yes responses are going to offend you than report the thread and have it locked or deleted otherwise let each of us have our opinion.

It's a no brainer that the question would stir the pot and get reactions like yours.

[QUOTE=weeds;25897

It's a no brainer that the question would stir the pot and get reactions like yours.[/QUOTE]

I disagree. A mature discussion in an adult community, is possible. And there is no need for that comment, I believe, with respect.

Let's please keep it civil lads. Everyone has their opinion on this and should be entitled to say it without being questioned.

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Originally Posted by donh54

How many awards have the Aboriginal people he studied and photographed presented him with?
Whilst all those awards he has got are probably a fine thing in the circles in which he moved, how many of his works merely continue the lip-service that has been portrayed over the years regarding the real history of those people, not just how they have been "advanced" under the benevolent rule of a government that, in living history, considered them as vermin on a par with wild dogs? :confused:

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Comments such as this, are ill conceived, especially if you have not read his books. He knows more about aboriginal culture than any man I know. And his knowledge has advanced understanding in the white community. Those who want to listen, at least. It is a sad state of affairs we can not discuss this without resorting to hyperbole.

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Originally Posted by bob10

I disagree. A mature discussion in an adult community, is possible. And there is no need for that comment, I believe, with respect.

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Obviously not the case, as apparently I am beligerant for commenting.

The topic will end the way it did last time.
Yes it has been done before..
i.e within 3 pages or so. being closed or retiring to the Current Affairs.

I could rabbit on about why I am more or less qualified to state this or that than the next person with a differing opinion and they will argue the opposite and insist my and anyone elses is incorrect,but who cares.

I will say this as a last comment

Aboriginal Australia has a hell of a lot more pressing issues than the bleating from groups about the handful of tourists that climb the Rock.
How about those concerned folk start opening their mouths to address the chronic health, STDs, domestic violence, child abuse (oh there is so much more)
Because debating closing, or not, the Rock or any other place aint gunna fix that.

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Originally Posted by strangy

Aboriginal Australia has a hell of a lot more pressing issues than the bleating from groups about the handful of tourists that climb the Rock.
How about those concerned folk start opening their mouths to address the chronic health, STDs, domestic violence, child abuse (oh there is so much more)
Because debating closing, or not, the Rock or any other place aint gunna fix that.

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I hear what you say. I've been to Yuendamu, Papunya, Docker river,Bagot road, but you have to start somewhere. The groups who want the climbing stopped are aboriginal.

Has anyone asked The Rock if it minds humans climbing it? I imagine it would be quite indifferent as it would be for ants or galahs. As for me, I've climbed it once which is enough for me. I got bad blisters on the way down which may of course have been The Rock's response, or just cheap boots...:angel:

Nice view though...:)