Right to Climb

Climbing Tales  This series celebrates Uluru climbing experiences posted online. #3 Dean Family climb   #3 in this series of climbing tales celebrates the family climb. A tradition in Australia that goes back to the Foy family who climbed together and added their names at the summit cairn on the 28th of May 1936. Isabella Foy was the first woman to climb and record her name. One of the sadder aspects of the climbing ban will be the end of opportunities for families to get out and enjoy the natural wonder of Ayers Rock together. The climb provides opportunities for children to learn about their natural environment and be inspired by nature in ways not possible from walking around the base trail. Climbing with children has many benefits including: family bonding, establishing a sense of wonder and inquiry about the natural world, instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in young ones, awareness of safety, increasing their confidence by providing an achievable  physica

List of Climbers to August 1950 The  Mt Olga-Ayers Rock research expedition of 1950 made a record of the list of names in the glass jar at the cairn at the summit of Ayers Rock. This records the names of climbers from 1931 through to 1950.  If anyone knows the location of the list, or has a photo we would be grateful. Enquiries with Parks Australia have not turned up anything. This to be updated as new information comes to light. Known Climbers 1873 to August 1950 Pre-1931 William Gosse & Kamran  20 July 1873 Horn Expedition 1894 - attempted climb but did not reach summit  Allan Breadon (Henbury Station) 1897 ( Left Matchbox retrieved by W McKinnon ) W (David, Billy) Oliver 1897 Maurice and Murray, 1902 (Did not summit) Hunn 1906 Further information required? Mackay Expedition 1926  Further information required Mackay Expedition 1930   No record of climbing Brown and Brumley 1930 CAIRN LIST  The list of names made in 1950 may be found via this link ( HERE ).  

Uluru Reviews: This series features reviews and comments about the Uluru Experience. These are the ones you are unlikely to see promoted by Parks Australia. #2 Beauty, bans, fines, nonsense & superstition... Is it really worth a visit? This great review by Roy Broff (click on the link) tackles all the hard questions about visiting Uluru: Getting there  The desert is boring and monotonous but at least easy to steer Impressions of the cultural centre  The best thing about the centre is that it has TOILETS Photography   Huge areas of the rock are declared sacred and penalties for photographing such areas ($5000 or 6000) can make you broke in no time – please leave your CAMERA in the car Climbing  the climb to the top is seriously discouraged and frequently banned for a range of often ridiculous excuses/conditions (e.g. high winds or temperatures at the summit where there is obviously no anemometer or even a simple thermometer). Failure to comply with the ban shall get you a

Coming soon...  Climber's Handbook: A guide to climbing Ayers Rock. NOW AVAILABLE! Everything you wanted to know about climbing the rock at the heart of Australia but were too afraid to ask... Indicative Contents History of discovery and climbing Facts and figures Geology and Geomorphology Route Maps Reasons to climb Climbing stories Chronicles of the fallen  Preparations Best time to climb What to wear How to climb What you can see from the summit Things to do at the summit Climbing Trivia Selected climbs and hikes in central Australia Hoping to hit the internet book shelves in time for Christmas 2018.  In the meantime wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  I just want one thing in my Christmas stocking: a ban of the ban!

Climbing legends #2 Series of posts celebrating climbers of Ayers Rock. #2 William Christie Gosse - first documented climb Gosse's sketch of Uluru showing SW corner near Multijuju waterhole, drawn from about -25.35376, 131.03281. For recent photo showing similar view click here . You can read WC Gosse's account of his explorations in central Australia via the Gutenberg Project ( HERE ). In 1872 Gosse was charged with finding a route from central Australia to Western Australia. He came across the rock he named "Ayers", after the SA governor Sir Henry Ayers, on the 19th of July 1873 and was the first European to scale the summit. You can read more about William Gosse at the ANU's dictionary of Australian Biography .  Here's Gosse's diary entry for the 20th of July 1873 documenting his climb to the summit, the first to be recorded: Sunday, July 20.—Ayers Rock. Barometer 28.07 in., wind east. I rode round the foot of rock in search of a place to as

Climbing Tales  This series celebrates Uluru climbing experiences posted online. #2 Mike Jerrard photo from Waking up Wild #2 in this series of climber's tales comes from wildlife photo journalist Mike Jerrard. Mike's wonderful account from Waking up Wild  deals with the difficult decision and guilt many people face at the foot of the climb.  Thankfully he pushed these negative feelings away and gave us a great account of his climbing experience, along with some words of wisdom about the future of the climb. Mike writes:  As I took my first steps I admit that a bit of guilt crept its way inside me but as I reached the top the guilt had vanished and a magical spiritual feeling overtook me. All the worries of the modern world vanished as I gazed out over the stunning landscape and I felt I had made the right decision. With all the controversy surrounding Uluru it is simply when you break it down just a rock.  Read the whole story at Waking up Wild .

Climbing Uluru is often compared to climbing a Cathedral, and some contend that you wouldn't climb a Cathedral so why climb Uluru. The only problem is that virtually all Cathedrals of note are open for climbing. Some for free, some for a small fee. Christian churches are among the most welcoming to pilgrims, visitors and tourists and allow access to virtually all parts of their places of worship. Photography is welcome. Contrast this to Uluru where climbing is shortly to be banned and access to sacred sites is highly restricted. At Uluru restrictions on photography are enforced with a weird rabid fervour characteristic of fundamentalist cults. Here's a list of 10 great Catherdrals to put on your climbing list. They are in no particular order. 1. St Pauls Cathedral, London St Paul's is built in the shape of a cross, with a large dome crowning the intersection of its arms. At 111.3 metres high, it is one of the largest cathedral domes in the world and weighs approximatel

Right to Climb now has a Facebook Page . If you believe the Climb should remain open head over and check it out and let your friends know. The Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park board need to hear your voice. Help them see common sense.

Uluru Reviews: This series features reviews and comments about the Uluru Experience. These are the ones you are unlikely to see promoted by Parks Australia. #1  Flies are certain to be more welcoming than the locals It's worth checking out Online Opinion for articles and stories about Uluru. Ross Barnett is a Sydney-based travel writer and photographer and has a number of interesting articles about the Uluru Experience that are a must read for any prospective or past visitor: When Australians are unwelcome in their own country ... Law & Liberties  - 9/07/2010 -  33 comments Uluru: dancing - and stripping - on solid rock Indigenous Affairs  - 2/07/2010 -  49 comments Talinguru Nyakunytjaku - has Australia been hoodwinked? Indigenous Affairs  - 25/06/2010 -  6 comments Landscape photographers, including you, are losing rights Law & Liberties  - 29/03/2010 -  37 comments Why does Parks Australia not encourage more tourism to Uluru? Environment  - 28/10/2003

Dear Prime Minister, Given your support for the climb up Ayers Rock , I am seeking your assistance in obtaining information about women climbers of Ayers Rock/Uluru. This is intended for a poster to be revealed next July during the informal Climb for Science event  at Uluru. Over the years women have embraced the climb which is a Men's only area according to aboriginal myths and superstitions. I'm sure you agree it's great that women have climbed the rock over the years and they deserve to be acknowledged. Especially the early climbers, who braved that steep slope without a chain. I'm sure you would also support the right of women to climb the rock in the future. The first woman to climb Ayers rock is reported to be Beryl Miles who entered her name into the glass jar at the summit cairn in mid 1951 during an epic outback expedition.  Details of her Australian adventure may be found in her book " The Stars my Blanket". One assumes this epic tome would be

Climbing legends #1 Mrs Foy and Beryl Miles Series of posts celebrating climbers of Ayers Rock. Updated 27 Dec 2017 The list of names from the glass jar at the summit cairn records the name of Mrs Foy on the 28th of May 1936. Isabella Foy  was the wife of Hugh Victor Foy who lead an expedition in search of Lasseter's Reef. It seems Mrs Foy is the first woman to record a climb of Ayers Rock. However it also seems the names on the Foy list were not written individually raising questions as to whether all on the list actually climbed.  Foy Family 1938 . Names of Mr Foy, Mrs Foy and Bill Foy are listed in the glass jar at the summit cairn. Isabella Foy Beryl Miles - second woman(?) to climb Ayers Rock. Beryl Miles, from article in The Age 31/7/1954 The second woman to record a climb Ayers rock is Beryl Miles who entered her name into the glass jar at the summit cairn in mid 1951 during an epic outback expedition.  Details of her Australian adventure may be found

Malcolm Turnbull lends his support to the Ayers Rock climb.... Malcolm Turnbull says tourists should be allowed to climb Uluru. "This is something my colleague Greg Hunt took up very vigorously when Mr Garrett announced his intention of banning the climb," Mr Turnbull said. "I'm pleased to see that our efforts in that regard and the concerns which expressed or reflected the concerns of many Australians have been met with some action by the Prime Minister." see also Turnbull pleased as Kevin Rudd says he wants Uluru open Update a letter to Malcolm... Dear Prime Minister, I refer to comments you made in support of the climb up Uluru/Ayers Rock in 2009 when the then Rudd government threatened its closure (see link). In response to threats to close the climb you stated: Malcolm Turnbull says tourists should be allowed to climb Uluru."This is something my colleague Greg Hunt took up very vigorously when Mr Garrett announced his intention of bann

Breaking News: Members of the Opposition voice their support for the climb up Ayers Rock to remain open. Greg Hunt: "Big Brother is coming to Uluru to slam the gate closed on an Australian tourism icon, the climb.  Peter Garrett would forever be the Minister who Closed the Climb.  Kevin Rudd would be the Prime Minister who shut down a sensitively-maintained, world-class tourist attraction in  the midst of an international financial crisis.  Uluru is an Indigenous treasure. It is also a national and an international treasure.  I support allowing people to make up their own minds about whether to make the climb.." Simon Birmingham: “Climbing Ayers Rock, or Uluru, is one of Australia’s oldest tourist activities and remains one of its most iconic,” Senator Birmingham said today. “Tourism is increasingly an experience-driven industry. People want experiences, not just photographs, in exchange for their tourism dollar and the Uluru climb is one of the most unique experiences a

Mike and Mal's first visit to the rock about 40 years ago. Probably filmed in 1977. Some quotes: "In the past 14 years 4 people have died climbing Ayers Rock." "people of all ages attempt the climb from young children up to the oldest recorded climber, a 90 year old man." Why did you climb it? "Why? I can't really say. When you come in along the road after that first, or rather the last stretch of road, you know, I felt, is it worth it? But when you get there; it's worth it. It's really worth it." "Just to have a look around." "It's something to do I guess. I wanted to come up and have a look at it. I've never really seen a desert before so I figured that was a good place to have a look at one from."  Wonderful to see families enjoying the climb without any guilt. Why climb...because it's there!

Climbing Tales  This series celebrates Uluru climbing experiences posted online. #1 Paul Ma 2014 July Paul at the summit Our first Climbing Tale from Paul Ma, from his Mountains Blog. Click on the link above to read in full. Paul's philosophy is inspiring:  it is never too late nor too old to climb mountains. My motto is "Dare to dream, and dare to go where the dream goes". Let this be your dream too.

Now Bluff Knoll in WA is at risk. Seriously Australia the only place where you are made to feel guilty for simply enjoying natural wonders! ‘Buff on the Bluff’ craze on culturally significant Bluff Knoll leads WA elder to call for nude photo ban An Indigenous elder in Western Australia’s Great Southern region wants a nude photo trend in the Stirling Range National Park to end and would prefer if tourists stopped climbing peaks in the park altogether. Goreng elder and tour guide Joey Williams said the ‘Buff on the Bluff’ social media craze, which results in hikers posting photos of themselves naked once they reached the peak of Bluff Knoll, was disrespectful. “Especially if it’s posted up and they have got a beautiful panoramic shot of the top of the hill, but someone’s butt cheeks are on there,” he said. “That’s just an invitation to say ‘Hey, we can do what we want on this place’.” While Mr Williams said it was OK for people to climb the mountain if they were respectful, he would

Tourism is the life blood of central Australia yet management of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park are determined to kill it off with over the top safety restrictions and ignoring science in favour of myth and superstition. Australia must be the only place where you'll be made to feel guilty about enjoying nature.  Our advice: until you can be guaranteed access to the main attraction, take your well earned dollars and spend them elsewhere. A reckon a refund is in order!

A promise broken....From the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website " Journey to handback ": As the political battle around the upcoming handback swayed back and forth, the A n angu stayed strong in their resolve, with many Traditional Owners working tirelessly to assure the people of Australia that tourist operations at the park would continue as usual. A joint statement by the Central Land Council and Pintjantjatjara Council sought to clear up any misconceptions, stating that the Traditional Owners had always recognised the legitimate tourist interest in the National Park, and supported the concept of leasing back the Park to the Commonwealth. They also supported a joint management scheme in which Aboriginal, conservation and tourist interests would all be represented. "For the visiting tourist it will be business as usual. Any rare and limited restrictions necessary for ceremonial purposes are likely to be confined to thos

A bunch of killjoys are sucking the life out of central Australia. Here's an activity to emulate from a more enlightened era to put some of that joy back in... Womens Weekly August 3, 1977, P53 Our challenge to future visitors is to match this magic!