Micheal wrote:
Go to Ayers Rock too, much more spiritual, expensive, and you get to climb a hundred story rock.
Kirra can get to know you on the way up and decide whether or not to push you off the top as she does.
TL;DR
They're prohibiting climbing Uluru.
Quote:
The Uluru climb
That’s a really important sacred thing that you are climbing… You shouldn’t climb. It’s not the real thing about this place. The real thing is listening to everything. And maybe that makes you a bit sad. But anyway that’s what we have to say. We are obliged by Tjukurpa to say. And all the tourists will brighten up and say, ‘Oh I see. This is the right way. This is the thing that’s right. This is the proper way: no climbing.
Kunmanara, Traditional Owner ©
The ‘climb’ is the traditional route taken by the ancestral Mala (hare-wallaby men) on their arrival at Uluru, and as such is of great spiritual significance. Tjukurpa requires that Nguraritja take responsibility for looking after visitors to their country and each time a visitor is seriously or fatally injured at Uluru, Nguraritja share in the grieving process. It is this ‘duty of care’ under Tjukurpa that is the basis of Nguraritja’s stress and grieving for those injured. Although climbing Uluru is an attraction for some visitors, it is the view of Nguraritja that visitors should not climb as it does not respect the spiritual and safety aspects of Tjukurpa.
It was not until the area was handed back to Anangu in 1985 that recognition of the cultural significance of Uluru and Kata Tjuta began to influence the management of the Park. Similarly the Tjukurpa of Uluru, and as a result Anangu opinion about the climb itself, began to publicly emerge (Hueneke 2006).
Whilst understanding of the cultural impact of climbing has emerged as a major issue since joint management, the safety aspects of the climb have been a constant challenge since visitors first started coming to Uluru.
In the past, many people have been injured and more than 30 people have died attempting to climb the very steep Uluru path. Current management measures to address visitor health and safety risks associated with the climb include provision of safety information in Park visitor guides; safety signs at the base of the climb; presentations at the Cultural Centre and on the Mala Walk; closure of the climb under the EPBC Regulations during defined environmental conditions; and coordination of visitor rescues from Uluru when required. A health and safety review of the climb has been undertaken (DNP 2007). The review found that, despite these measures, visitor incidents continue to occur albeit at a reduced frequency and level of seriousness – there were no fatalities on the climb in the years 2002–2008.
Considerable resources are dedicated to managing the climb and to related health and safety issues. Maintenance of the Park’s vertical rescue capability requires that the numerous staff involved undertake intensive external training and regular in-house training. Each time an incident occurs several staff and emergency personnel are involved and helicopters are often utilised. Search and rescue operations in the park often require those involved to undertake some level of personal risk.
Research was undertaken over a three-year period to assess visitors’ motivation for climbing Uluru, or choosing not to climb. The results showed that just over one-third of all visitors to the Park chose to climb, a high percentage of these being children. The review found that overall not being able to climb would not affect the decision to visit the Park for the vast majority of visitors (98 per cent).
88 Draft Management Plan 2009–2019
The issue of children climbing is also of serious concern as the climb is a high risk activity. The above research showed that many children either did not understand the cultural reasons for not climbing or had to make a decision between the ‘do not climb message’ and their parents telling them it was alright to climb.
During the 4th Plan the climb was closed when conditions posed a risk to visitors, including extreme temperatures or storms. During the summer months this meant that the climb was closed for most of the time, except in the early mornings. In 2008 a decision was made, in agreement with the tourism industry, to close the climb after 8.00 am every day from 1 December to the end of February.
As an iconic travel destination on the one hand, and a site with extreme cultural importance to Nguraritja on the other, management of Uluru and the climb in particular is complex. Since the Park’s establishment, the Board has agreed not to close the climb but instead to ask visitors to respect Anangu law and culture by not climbing, and to learn about the land and culture through alternative activities. Nguraritja continue to emphasise their wish that people do not climb Uluru and have expressed disappointment that the activity continues.
Issues
The safety and enjoyment of Park visitors, protecting Park values, and respecting wishes of • Nguraritja are pivotal to future management directions.
The issue of the climb remains a focus for Park management.•
Providing and maintaining a range of activities will assist visitors to experience Park values • in environmentally and culturally appropriate ways.
Some visitors are still arriving in the Park unaware of the views and values of Ngura• ritja about access to parts of the Park, including the Uluru climb.
The Park’s walking tracks need to be maintained in good condition.•
With the increasing popularity of bicycle riding, safety issues are becoming a concern.•
Provision of future visitor activities and facilities will need to take account of changing • climatic conditions.
What we are going to do
Policies
6.3.1 At the commencement of this Plan, camping in and access to the Park between sunset and sunrise will continue to be prohibited. However, the Board may revise this decision and, following consultations with Nguraritja and the tourism industry, provide for activities at night subject to conditions specified by the Board.
6.3.2 The Board may approve development of other new activities consistent with the tourism principles (at Policy 6.1.1) subject to appropriate consultations with Nguraritja and the tourism industry, and assessment processes (see Sections 4.1, Making decisions and working together, 8.5, Assessment of proposals and 8.7 New activities not otherwise specified in this Plan). Particular emphasis will be given to activities which increase opportunities for Anangu engagement.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 89
6.3.3 The Uluru climb will be managed in accordance with the following:
(a) At the commencement of this Plan, the climb will continue to be open subject to health and safety measures to minimise risks to visitors. These measures may include, but not be limited to:
improved graphic signageÌÌ
closure during periods when the climate is likely to pose increased risks to visitorsÌÌ
seasonal closure over the summer months due to high temperaturesÌÌ
other restrictions or measures in consultation with the tourism industry
ÌÌand Nguraritja
continued and consistent measures to promote the ‘do not climb’ message ÌÌfrom Nguraritja
provision and promotion of alternative activities.ÌÌ
and
(b) For visitor safety, cultural, and environmental reasons the Director and the Board will work towards closure of the climb. Parks Australia will work with the tourism industry and Nguraritja to ensure that:
visitors continue to be provided with a unique and rewarding experience of the ParkÌÌ
the tourism industry has sufficient lead time to amend and advertise new itinerariesÌÌ
impacts on the tourism industry are minimised.ÌÌ
6.3.5 Upgrading, construction and management of existing or new walking tracks and facilities will be undertaken in accordance with Section 4.1, Making decisions and working together and Section 6.1, Tourism directions. See also Section 6.2.
6.3.6 The following recreational activities are prohibited by the EPBC Regulations, and permits will not be issued to undertake them in the Park:
climbing, abseiling on, or jumping from rock faces--
bungee jumping and BASE jumping--
hang-gliding, paragliding and similar activities.--
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