Uluru: Climb or not

by Ross
(Anchorage, Alaska USA)

No, I would't "march into a Buddhist temple in shorts and hiking boots because the monks hadn't pressured "me" not to". But I certainly would do so dressed appropriately while conducting myself in a respectful manner!

No I wouldn't "walk up to the altar rail in an English cathedral to take a flash photo of the communicants", but, again, I would visit the cathedral.

The analogies are inappropriate. With Uluru it's all or nothing in a sense. Isn't there a way in which visitors could visibly demonstrate their respect yet still make the climb? Should there be? What might it be?

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Uluru: Climb or not

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Uluru Analogies
by: Birgit

Thanks for chiming in, Ross.
Hm, I do see where you are coming from, and I am not so sure the analogies are inappropriate. It's probably more that everybody twists them as it best suits them.

"With Uluru it's all or nothing in a sense."

There is so much to do and learn at Uluru NP. There are extended walks, you can learn about the Aboriginal culture, the nature... Why is all that regarded as nothing? Their culture is nothing? The flora and fauna and ecology and history is nothing? Only the climb is anything?

We can visit Uluru, just like the cathedral or the temple. We are just asked not to climb the rock, just as we should not climb the altar, or take those flash photos, and we should dress appropriately when visiting a Buddhist temple.

"Isn't there a way in which visitors could visibly demonstrate their respect yet still make the climb? Should there be?"

As I see it, at Uluru we are asked to demonstrate our respect by not climbing.
To ask for a way to climb it respectfully, would that not be like asking how to take those flash photos of the communicants respectfully? Or march into the Buddhist temple in shorts and hiking boots, respectfully?

At least that's my twist on it :-).

Visit, Look. Learn and Breathe in the Beauty but DO NOT CLIMB.
by: Anonymous

There are so many more ways to experience Uluru without being disrespectful to the Anangu people. The walks around the base of Uluru are unbelievable, there is so much more to this monolith when walking close by than one would eve imagine.

A visit to the Cultural Centre in the national park and providing yourself with a reasonable amount of time to read and view the history culture and beliefs of the Anangu is a must when first arriving at Uluru so that one can gain a better and clear understanding of just what Uluru means to them and why they would prefer you to not climb.

Think of it like this: would you go to the Vatican or St Paul's Cathedral in London or the Sacred Coeur in Paris and immediately without any thought or information just climb to the top up the outside of the building just for the view? I think not. Well on arriving at Uluru look on it as one of these sacred landmarks and think again.

My husband and I were just there a few weeks ago and loved every minute of learning about the nature, the history the culture and the dream time and would gladly have stayed on longer taking in the beauty of the area. Visit, Look. Learn and breathe in the beauty but DO NOT CLIMB.

Uluru Sceneries from Malaysia Airlines' aircraft cockpit
by: Zaileen Hashim

Hi!

We have an interesting sceneries shots taken from the cockpit. One of Malaysia Airlines pilot took these beautiful photos of Uluru and posted it on our blog at www.malaysiaairlinesblog.com.

Thank you.

Zaileen Hashim
The Living MH Blog Team
Malaysia Airlines

Resume Ayers Rock
by: Anonymous

Everyone should climb Ayers Rock unless prevented by health/fitness issues.

Question remains
by: Ross

Still there should be a way to do both - climb & respect the sentiments of the native people. Maybe not.

Ayers Rock for all the World
by: Steven

The aboriginal people have the right to practice religion how they like.

I believe that I also have the right to have a relgious experience when climbing this geological marvel.

If you feel the need to give lip service to the 'religious' side of things, sit at the bottom, but if you are like me, climb the rock as a god given right!

Climb or not Climb
by: Anonymous

I don't believe the analogies between cathedrals etc are correct.
MAN builds a cathedral, a temple and so forth. Therefore he generally owns it.

Nature does not belong to any one person or people, it belongs to the world.

I will climb the rock and marvel at the natural history of it.

I don't believe I'll be disrepecting anyone by doing so. If someone chooses to feel disrespected by my legal action that's their choice.

I don't wish to offend anyone but that's my view on the matter.