Uluru: Didja climb it?

[sabrinamari]

So, those of you clued in about the politics of Uluru/Ayers Rock have probably been wondering (all 2-3 of you)...did you do it and decide not to cop to it? Were you at least tempted to do it?

No. I didn't and I wasn't.

Here's a conversation reposted from Facebook explaining why.

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Ben:

So, how is it these days? Are people allowed to go to the top? Did you want to?

Sabrina:

The $64,000 question. Yes, on days in which the conditions are good, people are allowed to climb it. The Ananga people have settled on a strategy of attempting to educate visitors about why they shouldn't climb instead of trying to ban climbing. Today, less than half of the visitors to Uluru climb. That said, I saw plenty of people doing it, usually boatloads of tourists straight off of their tour buses.

Before I arrived I thought about it. When I got there and took a look, I saw immediately why the Ananga argue that it is both a stupid and disrespectful thing to do. 1. It's dangerous---really dangerous, and there's nothing much at the top. It's essentially an attempt to conquer nature. 2. Anything you drop (batteries, water bottles, plastic caps, miscellaneous crap) ends up in the ancient water holes, which aren't in great shape to start with. 3. There's no place to pee, so that ends up in the water holes, too. 4. There are a whole series of problematic impacts left by climbers, including wear on the rock itself.

I'm also swayed by the argument that it's disrespectful to do for sport and kicks what what the ancient caretakers of the land only did rarely, at the death of a senior male.

I've got no need to appropriate their ceremonial rite.

So, no, I didn't climb. I also tried to stop a clueless asshole from photographing one of the sacred caves, but I'm pretty sure he doubled back and did it anyway.

Comments

[showingup.livejournal.com]

It's like having to ask people not to clamber up the front of the Notre Dame or the rood screen of Chester cathedral, when I think about it, or not to leave food or burn candles or incense in long barrows.

I'm really glad you not only didn't do it, but that you stood up for the site - and it rewarded you with such rich experiences.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

It felt so alive to me that I dreaded what would happen if I did climb it.

Plus, something else happened that feels weird to write about. Maybe sometime.

[showingup.livejournal.com]

That reminds me that I have a weirdness to share with you. I shall drop you an email.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Cool!

[evcelt.livejournal.com]

I'd actually be more likely to leave an offering in a long barrow. When I visited the West Kennett Long Barrow, it was right after the Spring equinox, and there were some discreet offerings there. It felt right, actually (although I didn't leave anything, I did meditate there for a while). The offerings seemed respectful, and did nothing IMO to undercut the sacredness of the place.

But Uluru has a continuity of sacred practice within a tradition that is very different than mine. As you said, climbing it would be like climbing the rood screen at Chartres.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I visited West Kennett Long Barrow the first time I was in England, many years ago. There were offerings in it then, as well.

I was there with a beloved, and it was quiet and beautiful. It's a happy memory.