Right to Climb

Restore the Ayers Rock Summit Plaque Copy of letter sent to Director National Parks 7 January 2018 Cc Minister of Environment, Minister for Tourism, Director Geoscience Australia, The Australian, Daily Telegraph, NT News Condition of Bronze Directional Plaque at summit of Ayers Rock Dear Director, It has come to my attention that Parks Australia has allowed the Bronze Directional Plaque at summit of Ayers Rock to fall into disrepair. The plaque is missing the Map of Australia and Australian coat of arms that featured on the plaque when it was installed in 1970. It seems the map was missing by 1984, and the coat of arms went missing in the early 2000s (See image above). The plaque represents an important scientific and historical feature of significant Australian heritage value. It is a testament of Parks Australia neglect of this object that is has done nothing to ensure the condition of the plaque is maintained in original condition. What is Parks Australia doi...

Summit Photos: celebrating some great photos taken at the summit of Ayers Rock #1 Kathy Ferguson May 1964 This nice black and white portrait of Kathy Ferguson taken in May 1964 shows the summit cairn prior to the construction of the current directional plinth. The summit was established as a trigonometric point in 1958 . The current directional table was built in 1970.  Caption reads: Miss Kathy Ferguson of Jersey in the Channel Islands, an early climber at the cairn on top of The Rock; she was one of a small group of five on an Ansett-Pioneer tour who reached the summit in May 1964.  (Photo from P.88 of  Storm over Uluru: The greatest Hoax of all  by Peter B. English). The first woman to climb the rock was Isabella Foy who ascended with her husband and son on the on the 28th of May 1936. The second  woman to have climbed the rock and left her name in the small tin on the cairn was Englishwoman, Beryl Miles, Authoress of The Stars My Blanket , wh...

We sent a letter to Sally Barnes Director of Parks Australia querying the legality of the climbing ban on Ayers Rock. On face value the ban breaches the following Acts of Parliament: Racial Discrimination Act 1975 :  The ban on climbing discriminates against non Anangu persons participating in the climb. Age Discrimination Act 2004: The ban effectively discriminates against All children participating in the climb (Only initiated men allowed to climb according to Tjukurpa). Sex Discrimination Act 1984 : The ban effectively discriminates against All women participating in the climb (Only initiated men allowed to climb according to Tjukurpa). Will let you know which escape clause they quote... if there is one.

St Mary's Peak is the highest point in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. It's the end point for a spectacular scenic 20km bush walk that rewards with 360º views of the ranges, salt lakes and surrounding plains. In 2012 Oliver Pfeil wrote the following on reaching the summit: 360° Perfection The  Lady of the Outback  had been kind to us that beautiful autumn morning and, as I scanned across the moonlit valleys and far-reaching vistas of the Flinders Ranges, I was overcome with a mixture of relief, excitement and a feeling of total freedom that I was able to enjoy an adventure of such calibre in our very own backyard. With a rising sun in the east and a full moon in the west, the 360° panoramic views of Wilpena Pound, Lake Torrens and the jagged backbone of the northern Flinders Ranges would forever be etched into my mind. Other climbing tales for St Mary's include: breathtaking 360-degree views of the Flinders Ranges “Brilliant - St Marys Peak!” The vie...

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...

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 ma...

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...

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...