my photo

uluru ...

"This is Aboriginal land and you are welcome.
Look around and learn, in order to understand Aboriginal people and also understand that Aboriginal culture is strong and alive."
Nellie Patterson - traditional owner

See the path that leads up the rock, well this is the path you can take to the summit of Uluru more familiarly known as Ayres Rock. No one was climbing on the day we visited, probably a good thing, as they would have been climbing in 40 degree dry heat, only mad dogs, Englishmen and Aborigines would have taken it on!

Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, the Aboriginal people of the area. The climb closes when weather conditions are predicted to exceed certain safety thresholds (temperature, rain, cloud, wind), during emergency situations, and occasionally for cultural reasons. The Uluru climb is the traditional route taken by ancestral Mala men upon their arrival to Uluru. Anangu do not climb Uluru because of its great spiritual significance. Anangu have not closed the climb. They prefer that you, out of education and understanding, choose to respect their law and culture by not climbing. Remember that you are a guest on Anangu land.

Along this path you can see landmarks were climbers have fallen and died. Anangu traditionally have a duty to safeguard visitors to their land and feel great sadness when a person dies or is hurt.