Uluru/Ayres Rock Directional Table Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia
By
SeabreezeOZ on 05-Aug-13. Waypoint GA6402
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Virtual |
| Container: | Virtual |
| Coordinates: | S25° 20.694' E131° 1.955' (WGS 84) |
| 52J 704558E 7195307N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 860 m |
| Local Government Area: | Macdonnell Region |
| Needs Archiving: |
/131.032583,-25.3449,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
A Directional Table on the top of Uluru/Ayres Rock
This cache is a virtual as it is probably not permitted to put a cache container on the rock. Detailed information about Uluru/Ayres Rock can be found on GC Earthcaches nearby so there is really no need for me to duplicate that information here. However if you do plan to climb the rock then you will need a good level of fitness, not be afraid of heights, good footwear and appropriate clothing and take plenty of drinking water. This is a very difficult and dangerous climb an you do so at your own risk Please take a photo of yourself with your gps to be able to claim a find. No photo means no smilie!
Hints
Pyvzo gb gur gbc |
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Decode |
Logs
Happy 150th anniversary of the world famous climb.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Just logging an early historical find.
After starting with the NT Geological Survey one of my first jobs was to take the science director of the NASA Mars Pathfinder mission on a field tour of the geology of central Australia. The first port of call was Ayers Rock where we met him at the Ayers Rock airport. We climbed that afternoon. It was November with temps in the low 30s. Wonderful to discuss the geomorphology of the surrounding desert with a Planetary Scientist. The fact this is no longer possible a sad testament to the depths of ignorance we are now embracing. Vale the Ayers Rock Climb! We will return!
After starting with the NT Geological Survey one of my first jobs was to take the science director of the NASA Mars Pathfinder mission on a field tour of the geology of central Australia. The first port of call was Ayers Rock where we met him at the Ayers Rock airport. We climbed that afternoon. It was November with temps in the low 30s. Wonderful to discuss the geomorphology of the surrounding desert with a Planetary Scientist. The fact this is no longer possible a sad testament to the depths of ignorance we are now embracing. Vale the Ayers Rock Climb! We will return!
Due to the climb being closed, we will archive this one. If the climb does ever re-open, the cache can simply be re-instated.
Keep it open. The directional table and the world-famous climb may soon return.
This Cache should not been accessible due to the climb to the top of the rock has been closed for nearly five years,
Or this cache should be modified to suit this closure of the climb.
The closure was due to safety and cultural respect for the local owners of the land, the Anangu people.
James0116
Or this cache should be modified to suit this closure of the climb.
The closure was due to safety and cultural respect for the local owners of the land, the Anangu people.
James0116
GA cache #3000
In 1979 MrT and I did our first trip to Central Australia. We headed out to Ayers Rock and camped in the tiny campground that was there then. We decided to climb up The Rock early in the morning. Our car was the only one in the car parking area. We headed up past the chain, and half way up we met a guy. He was on a bus trip, and they dropped him off to do the climb and would pick him up later. We took photos of each other and we went up and he went down. We arrived at the Cairn and took some photos. It was very windy, so signed the visitors book, and started back down. As we neared the chain it started raining! We didn't have any problem getting down, but MrT spent quite a bit of time helping a group of older people navigate the slippery slope down to the bottom. Quite an expedition.
We returned in 1996 to a huge tourist area. So different from our visit in 1979. MrT took ClimbingSon and MusoSon up the climb, but I chose to stay down the bottom and watch this time! Now its 2020, 41 years since we first went there, and the Climb is no longer allowed. It is still an amazing memory. TFTV
In 1979 MrT and I did our first trip to Central Australia. We headed out to Ayers Rock and camped in the tiny campground that was there then. We decided to climb up The Rock early in the morning. Our car was the only one in the car parking area. We headed up past the chain, and half way up we met a guy. He was on a bus trip, and they dropped him off to do the climb and would pick him up later. We took photos of each other and we went up and he went down. We arrived at the Cairn and took some photos. It was very windy, so signed the visitors book, and started back down. As we neared the chain it started raining! We didn't have any problem getting down, but MrT spent quite a bit of time helping a group of older people navigate the slippery slope down to the bottom. Quite an expedition.
We returned in 1996 to a huge tourist area. So different from our visit in 1979. MrT took ClimbingSon and MusoSon up the climb, but I chose to stay down the bottom and watch this time! Now its 2020, 41 years since we first went there, and the Climb is no longer allowed. It is still an amazing memory. TFTV
Rated: for Overall Experience
Can you log it as found if you found it years ago?
This was originally a note log, but with no response, I'm turning it into a found log.
I loved this trip so much. I forgot that there was even a photo till recently. I must have handed my camera to a stranger because I went up on my own. Those were the days when I was fit and could have run up it twice that day. I can't help but feel the desire to get up close to rocks, feel them, climb on them, and see the view they offer from the highest climbable point, so it's areal shame this rock can't be climbed any longer. I understand walking up it being closed due to significance and culture, but if any of my grandkids and beyond are like me, its a little sad that there will probably be a number of mountains they can't climb.
This was originally a note log, but with no response, I'm turning it into a found log.
I loved this trip so much. I forgot that there was even a photo till recently. I must have handed my camera to a stranger because I went up on my own. Those were the days when I was fit and could have run up it twice that day. I can't help but feel the desire to get up close to rocks, feel them, climb on them, and see the view they offer from the highest climbable point, so it's areal shame this rock can't be climbed any longer. I understand walking up it being closed due to significance and culture, but if any of my grandkids and beyond are like me, its a little sad that there will probably be a number of mountains they can't climb.
I believe this cache may need changing or archiving now.
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.abc.net.au/article/11639248
Turns out I was on this beast of a rock the same time Laighside Legends was! Me and my brother-in-law are in his 'Halfway up' photo walking down. I had a hoodie over my head to try to keep the flies from being too annoying.
Like many others, when I heard the rock was being TEMPORARILY closed I booked a flight to get myself up here. We arrived days earlier but like Laighside Legends says, the route was closed due to high winds. Third day here and the route was open and we were on our way! I found the walk easy going albeit steep to start with. The chain helped many people. It's not a race so there's no hurry. It's all about completing it. Once at the top we admired the views, took photos then sat to absorb the moment. A few of the fam headed back down straight away. We all eventually met back at the vehicle. After this walk we ventured out to see The Olgas. The following day we drove out to Kings Canyon which is yet another awesome location. I enjoyed my brief taste-test of the Northen Territory. I'm looking forward to visiting it properly sometime soon. Thanks for the cache
Like many others, when I heard the rock was being TEMPORARILY closed I booked a flight to get myself up here. We arrived days earlier but like Laighside Legends says, the route was closed due to high winds. Third day here and the route was open and we were on our way! I found the walk easy going albeit steep to start with. The chain helped many people. It's not a race so there's no hurry. It's all about completing it. Once at the top we admired the views, took photos then sat to absorb the moment. A few of the fam headed back down straight away. We all eventually met back at the vehicle. After this walk we ventured out to see The Olgas. The following day we drove out to Kings Canyon which is yet another awesome location. I enjoyed my brief taste-test of the Northen Territory. I'm looking forward to visiting it properly sometime soon. Thanks for the cache
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found It!
This was the target for the 5 day trip - climb Ayers Rock before it is permanently closed. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to since you'll no longer be able to do this after October.
I arrived on Sunday planning to do the climb that day but it was closed all day due to strong winds. So I stayed at Curtin Springs that night and came back the next morning. I arrived at about 9:30am to find the climb still closed and well over 100 people wandering around the carpark. So I sat around and waited for a bit and at 10am the climb was opened - and like the start of a marathon, the crowd suddenly took off up the rock in a hurry. I joined them and after a tough climb (with lots of rest breaks), I made it to the top a little over an hour later. I sat at the top for a while just admiring the amazing views. And waiting for a turn to take a photo with the directional marker (there was a bit of a queue for that today!). And chatted to several other people that had come from all over Australia, America and parts of Europe to make the climb to the top while they still had the chance. After lots of photos, it was time to walk back down again - and there were still plenty of people heading up as I went down. As I got to the bottom someone set off up the rock carrying a bike and I have no idea why...
It will be sad to see the climb closed - it was a great experience and I'd recommend that everyone do it while you still can. I think they should just charge $10 a head to do it, they'd make thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars a day which can then go to whatever religion it is that has a problem with it. But instead of been sad about it, I guess I should be glad that I lived in a generation that was able to make the climb up the rock!
TFTC
This was the target for the 5 day trip - climb Ayers Rock before it is permanently closed. It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime trip to since you'll no longer be able to do this after October.
I arrived on Sunday planning to do the climb that day but it was closed all day due to strong winds. So I stayed at Curtin Springs that night and came back the next morning. I arrived at about 9:30am to find the climb still closed and well over 100 people wandering around the carpark. So I sat around and waited for a bit and at 10am the climb was opened - and like the start of a marathon, the crowd suddenly took off up the rock in a hurry. I joined them and after a tough climb (with lots of rest breaks), I made it to the top a little over an hour later. I sat at the top for a while just admiring the amazing views. And waiting for a turn to take a photo with the directional marker (there was a bit of a queue for that today!). And chatted to several other people that had come from all over Australia, America and parts of Europe to make the climb to the top while they still had the chance. After lots of photos, it was time to walk back down again - and there were still plenty of people heading up as I went down. As I got to the bottom someone set off up the rock carrying a bike and I have no idea why...
It will be sad to see the climb closed - it was a great experience and I'd recommend that everyone do it while you still can. I think they should just charge $10 a head to do it, they'd make thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars a day which can then go to whatever religion it is that has a problem with it. But instead of been sad about it, I guess I should be glad that I lived in a generation that was able to make the climb up the rock!
TFTC
Rode bikes around it this morning then climbed up again in the afternoon.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Climbed for Science today with the kids. It is such an awesome experience and can't understand why any sane person would ban it.
Search Australian archives for Ayers Rock Geodetic station to views construction photos. Also contains info on a spelling mistake on it.
Search Australian archives for Ayers Rock Geodetic station to views construction photos. Also contains info on a spelling mistake on it.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Eventually the explorer inside me won over and I decided I had to get to the top of the rock, I am glad I did as it was a really amazing experience I will never forget. Uluru is such an amazing natural feature I can see why it has such significance to the local people. I cannot wait to go back and spend more time appreciating it, even if it is from the ground level.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Notes of Beryl Miles visit in 1951 suggestive of a cache hunt...
We knew that on the very top there was a cairn of stones containing a jar with the names of those who had climbed The Rock. I was longing to add my name to it.
I shall never forget the feeling of anticipation when, finally, we did reach the cairn and I bent down to lift off the first stone, then the next and the next, and then the horrible sinking feeling that followed as only more and more stones appeared under-neath. Perhaps the bottle had been stolen.
Then, suddenly, there was a glint of glass—two jars, both containing scraps of paper with names on—and a small flat cigarette-tin with the name 'McKinnon' scratched on the lid.
As if to make things quite perfect, the very first paper I pulled out of the bottle read as follows:
'Wed. 4.9.47. Arthur Groom of Binnie Burie, Queensland and Tamali Talkajeri (Tiger) of Hermannsburg Mission, leaving one native boy Erowa one third of the way up . . . via Lake Amadeus. Tomorrow we go to Mt. Olga. Signed : Arthur Groom. (and a row of hieroglyphics from Tiger)'
It was a proud moment when I added my name to those in the bottle.
From The stars my blanket https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/19014568
We knew that on the very top there was a cairn of stones containing a jar with the names of those who had climbed The Rock. I was longing to add my name to it.
I shall never forget the feeling of anticipation when, finally, we did reach the cairn and I bent down to lift off the first stone, then the next and the next, and then the horrible sinking feeling that followed as only more and more stones appeared under-neath. Perhaps the bottle had been stolen.
Then, suddenly, there was a glint of glass—two jars, both containing scraps of paper with names on—and a small flat cigarette-tin with the name 'McKinnon' scratched on the lid.
As if to make things quite perfect, the very first paper I pulled out of the bottle read as follows:
'Wed. 4.9.47. Arthur Groom of Binnie Burie, Queensland and Tamali Talkajeri (Tiger) of Hermannsburg Mission, leaving one native boy Erowa one third of the way up . . . via Lake Amadeus. Tomorrow we go to Mt. Olga. Signed : Arthur Groom. (and a row of hieroglyphics from Tiger)'
It was a proud moment when I added my name to those in the bottle.
From The stars my blanket https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/19014568
Nice photo of the old cairn in September 1970. The directional table was installed November 1970. See https://www.xnatmap.org/adnm/ops/prog/rafgeosvy/08.htm
Back at Uluru as Mr T wanted to climb "The Rock" again before it is closed for climbing. Here 3 months ago but raining so we were hoping this time for fine weather. First made the climb in 1979 then again in the early 90's - when camping was permitted at the base of the rock.
The climb was closed in the morning but on the off chance it may be opened we drove past mid afternoon to find it open.
Mr T made the ascent along with many others and was pleased to conquer "The Rock" again.
Thanks SeabreezeOZ .
The climb was closed in the morning but on the off chance it may be opened we drove past mid afternoon to find it open.
Mr T made the ascent along with many others and was pleased to conquer "The Rock" again.
Thanks SeabreezeOZ .
Rated: for Overall Experience
Climbing The Rock was closed due to "strong winds at the summit" so we decided to ride around it instead. Was just leaving when we noticed The Rock was now open. Sorry, didn't take the GPS because for one thing we didn't think we needed it to tell us where to go and on a 34 degree day, only took the bare minimum - plenty of water and the phone. Not an easy climb but very happy to have made it.
TFTC SeabreezeOZ.
TFTC SeabreezeOZ.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Planning my trip to Uluru and find this virtual cache here but its closed to climb up there.
is that ok I log it with a photo of myself with ayres rock during earthcache nearby?
is that ok I log it with a photo of myself with ayres rock during earthcache nearby?
I'm not to sure if I can claim this one? 
I do have a photo (attached) of me signing the Visitors Book which is resting on the "Ayers Rock Directional Table". (That was what it was called when I climbed the rock. No sign of Uluru when I did it.) No sign of a GPSr either though. 
I suppose SeabreezeOZ will be the judge of this Log.
Anyhows, I will change the log to a write note if my claim is turned down.
TFTV SeabreezeOZ
P.S. I was back at the rock in 2011, but the rock was closed due to high winds.
I do have a photo (attached) of me signing the Visitors Book which is resting on the "Ayers Rock Directional Table".
(That was what it was called when I climbed the rock. No sign of Uluru when I did it.) No sign of a GPSr either though. I suppose SeabreezeOZ will be the judge of this Log.
Anyhows, I will change the log to a write note if my claim is turned down.
TFTV SeabreezeOZ
P.S. I was back at the rock in 2011, but the rock was closed due to high winds.
Rated: for Overall Experience
