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Climbing the Rock


Climbing the Rock
Compiled from the thoughts of Macgregor Primary School Students after the climb August 2, 1990.
From Canberra Times Sunday December 9, 1990. P32. Trove link: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122329198

Climbing the Rock
We're climbing the rock today —
How do I feel?
Scared, nervous
Butterflies in the tummy,
Can't wait, excited.
I feel small
How in the world am I going to do it?
Anticipation.
Let's go!

Slowly carefully, edging towards the top.
Try not to look down.
Slipping, heart pounding
Glance at the view.
Stop to rest
Hold on tight to the chain.
Very steep, tiring.
A long way down — Don't fall off.
Turn back? No, climb onwards.
Getting tough.
Stop for a rest.
Chat to people going down.
Great views from here.
The top of the chain at last.
The steep stretch over
Phew! So far so good.

On towards the top
No chain to grip.
Follow the painted lines
Easier walking after the chain.
Up and down, and on and on we go.
The summit must be near.
This is fun, not too hard (but not too easy).
Help each other
On top of Ayers Rock, Wow!!
Glad to sign the book.
Sit down, rest, enjoy the company.
Photos.
The rock is enormous, sacred, eerie.

Heading back, single file.
Climb seems different now.
How did we climb up these steep sides?
Help each other, pull together.
Feeling good.
Look, a rock pool.
Pitted surface. The rock is everywhere.
Back at the top of the chain again.
Rest.
Looking down, watching people arrive.
Buses look tiny, people look like ants.
Going down.
Safety, hold on.
Slowly, slowly.
Step carefully.
Talk to each other encourage, support.
Be there for your friend.
Down we go, slowly, carefully.
Coat blows off.
Don't leave the chain, let it go.
Lady racing past, foolish.
She slips and almost falls.
Gasp! Climb down sensibly.
Sore knees.
The end is in sight.
Windy on the way down.
Made it to the bottom of the chain.
Slid down the last stretch.
Jump off the rock.
We made it.

We climbed the rock today
Now we feel
Proud,
Impressed
Relieved, safe
Dead beat
Satisfied
Alive
Thirsty.
Looking up again
I feel bigger than I did this morning.
We made it.

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