ULURU-Ayers Rock. Would you climb a Natural Wonder of the World?
One of Australia's most iconic Natural Wonders, Uluru is actually one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.
Popping up out of the desert, Uluru is a huge sandstone rock, measuring 1142 feet high and 5.8 Miles around the base. Previously known as Ayers Rock, the area features Rock caves, natural springs and waterholes. It was managed by Australian National Parks until 1985, when ownership was transferred back to the Aboriginal people of the area. It is now jointly managed by the Anangu Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people who are the traditional owners, and National Parks.
Sacred Site
To the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people, Uluru is a living sacred site. They connect with the living spirits and 60000 years of cultural tradition and the area has over 40 sacred sites, with Uluru holding great meaning in the Dreaming stories passed down through the generations. The Aboriginal owners ask that people do not climb on Uluru.
Previously it was the usual thing to do, to visit Ayers Rock and climb it. Now the traditional owners ask that tourists respect the site and do not climb the Rock. Unfortunately, it is still climbed by around 30% of visitors to the park. Worse still the tourists underestimate the hours it takes to climb, and many use the top as a toilet, and discarded soiled clothing is removed almost daily by the Park rangers.
To me, it is obvious that climbing should be banned, and penalties imposed on those that disregard the rules, but everyone has there own opinion. Some people have no respect for the ancient culture and dreaming stories of the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people.
Would you climb Uluru? 
The photographs above are from google labelled for free use and publication
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I am a bit confused. If ownership was transferred back to the aboriginal people and they don't want people to climb it then aren't there already bans and penalties in place although admittedly they need to start being enforced. If someone climbed on my roof and took a dump you can be sure they would be getting arrested.
as far as i know it is banned but no penalties apply
Thanks @daydreams4rock It looks like a cake. but it's a beautiful. Proud place for all the Australian people.
Keep sharing such content.
I've read that its very name means "don't go up" , do you know why they proscribe ascension of the rock? I've always been curious.
i don't know
No. I went there over ten years ago and didn't climb.
And there's really no need. The beauty is in the view of the rock itself. You can't see it from the top!
good on you - i follow you now -- glad you appreciate the beauty without climbing
Wow that is Cool... I don't think I would climb it but just stare at it whilst the sun sets it looks very pretty for rock :D
excellent Lauren -way to go
Very good points, all. Problem is, climbers want to climb things. I'm one and I understand the drive. However, this needs to be done appropriately, with respect and proper preparation. Otherwise if it is more of a destructive experience, then fine... stay at the bottom and take pictures or go home.
it is not a rock climbing cliff and is more of a walk up the rock, i also did rock climbing in my youth and we have plenty of awesome places for that -the rock is a sacred site and it is disrespectful to Aboriginal culture to climb, apparently that means little to many people.
Ok, I am getting a better understanding of the whole picture. That makes sense. Respect is paramount.
good on you - am pleased you understand the issue
Wow that's sad :( I've seen before and after pictures and understand why they don't want people to climb it. Of course in my heart I'd want to but I also want to be respectful of nature. In order to preserve the natural beauty we have to treat these landmarks with respect, and that means keeping tourists and other traffic off.
good on you Sarah -- it is great you have the sensitivity to respect the culture of our Aboriginal people
I climbed it in about '93 on a family holiday. The amount of rubbish up top was very disappointing. I hope they've removed the chain that assists in the steepish early part of the climb, as well as the thing on the top which held a visitor's book and direction marker (from memory)
Knowing what I've learned since, I would not climb it again, and am glad that changes have been made to prevent climbing. That so many reportedly still climb it shows that better education needs to be done about the rock and what it means to the local people.
Apparently there are plenty of signs in a few languages saying not to climb and the chain is still there to assist people from killing themselves. It is disgusting that people shit on our rock
I would like to visit that wonder
thanks for sharing the information. sad, but I understand
thanks for connecting i followed you and am happy you understand the issue