Walkers Outback Trip: Uluru

Uluru - Ayers Rock

The last two days have been spent exploring the areas around Uluru. What an amazing rock!!!
When we arrived yesterday after setting up the van in the Ayers Rock Resort Camping Ground we then took the afternoon to firstly visit the Olgas also known as Kata Tjuta. The Olgas are a formation of varying different sized large rocks and a sight on their own - about 30km from Ayers Rock. We then came back to Uluru for the sunset which was quite spectacular. We met some very nice people whilst watching the sunset who also provided tips on getting the best shot - some invaluable information. At about 9:00pm that night we thought the day had ended in disaster when we realised that the camera case did not come home with us, we had the camera, but no case (which had our large lens, charger and spare battery inside). Adam was up at 6:15am and heading out to the lookout to see if by any chance the case was still there. After a great deal of searching he did not find it, but stayed to watch the sun come up over the rock. On his way back he dropped into the National Park entrance office to find that the case had just been handed in about 5 mins ago when someone went back into the park for the day. Our faith in the goodness of people was restored.

Today was the day that we would climb the rock - we hoped. When we arrived at 9:30am the rock climb was closed due to the winds at the summit being too strong. We took a drive around the outside of the rock and then went back to the caravan for lunch before returning later in the afternoon hoping that the climb would be open. Happily, it was now open and we could climb the rock. We all started out very bravely with Jade leading the way - I should point out that from the bottom to the top looked quite steep with chains that you hang onto to help you up. There is a small section you need to climb that does not have any chains which tests the character of all potential climbers and rules out quite a few right there. Anyway Jade walked straight to the chains, Brooke stopped at what is know as "chicken rock" and decided it was not for her, I hesitated for quite a while and Adam followed Jade and off they went. I decided to give it a go and made the chains and continued up the chains for the first small steep section and met Jade and Adam where they were resting. It was at that point that I took a look a the second steep section and decided that this was not for me. Adam and Jade continued on. Adam continued for 3/4 of the climb at which point he couldn't decide whether he would stop because his knees hurt, his ingrown toe nail hurt or he was just out of breath. Anyway he sat at that point and Jade the legend continued to the top on her own. Approx. 1 hour climb to the top - pulling yourself up the chains as you go very steep and narrow points along the way. Unfortunately Jade didn't have her phone with her and so did not get a photo.

Whether you climbed or didn't climb Uluru has been a great experience.