Hundreds queue for last climb of Uluru
YULARA: Australia’s Uluru officially closed to climbers for good yesterday, although the last visitors to scale the sacred rock were allowed to stay until sunset, as a permanent ban takes effect after a decadeslong fight by indigenous people to close the trek.
To commemorate the climbing ban, public celebrations will take place over the weekend, when the dismantling of the railing and trail is also expected to begin.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of tourists clambered up the Unesco World Heritagelisted 348m monolith, formerly known as Ayers Rock.
Authorities had opened the climb midmorning amid clear skies, after blustery conditions delayed early trekkers.
Uluru is a top tourist draw despite its remote desert location near Alice Springs.
While most visitors did not climb its steep, redochre flanks, the ban triggered a surge in people taking a final opportunity to make the trek.
Nearly 400,000 visitors flocked to the Australian landmark in the year to June 30, government data showed.
Australians made up the bulk of the visitors to climb the rock, followed by Japanese, Parks Australia said.
The Anangu people, the traditional owners of Uluru, have called for the climb to be closed since 1985, when the park was returned to indigenous control. The Anangu say Uluru has deep spiritual significance as a route their ancestors took.
‘‘This is our home,’’ read a sign at the base of the rock. ‘‘Please don’t climb.’’
Dozens of people have died while climbing Uluru, from falls and dehydration in the hot, dry conditions.
It was an emotional day, indigenous ranger Tijiangu Thomas said.
‘‘Happiness is the majority feeling, knowing that people are no longer going to be disrespecting the rock and the culture — and being safe.’’ — Reuters