Another early start today in order to get to Uluru before the crowds. There are several reasons why the Anangu would rather people didn't climb. The first is that Uluru is a sacred site and only the tribal elders ever climbed the rock - and only then to start and end ceremonial tribal meetings. The elder Mala men would climb Uluru with a ceremonial pole (the Ngaltewath) to mark the start of a meeting of clans. The Anangu don't like you climbing in the footsteps of their elders:
"When you climb Uluru on the traditional route taken by Ancestral Mala men, you are on a path of great spiritual significance..." (name removed)
Text taken from sign at Katachuka National Park information centre.

Another reason that the Anangu people would rather you didn't clime is the issue of dying. On average, one person dies a year attempting to climb the rock. They believe that your spirits will get lost if you die. Your child spirit won't know where it is, it will be lost and confused and wander off alone. Your adult spirit (which is evil) will be locked at the rock.
"We, the traditional owners, have a duty to safeguard visitors. We feel great sadness when a person dies or is hurt on our land" (name removed)
Text taken from sign at Katachuka National Park information centre.

Did I climb Uluru? Yes. Initially, I wasn't going to, but (bizarrely, perhaps) having discovered more about the people and the rock, I decided that I wanted to after all. Physically, it's a very tough climb virtually straight up (and down's just as tough). The place has an exceedingly impressive presence. I did get the impression from a lot of the other people around however that, "now a lot of visitors are only looking at the sunset and climbing Uluru . That rock is a really important sacred thing. You shouldn't climb it! Climbing is not a proper part of this place. There is a true story to be properly understood"
Text taken from sign at Katachuka National Park information centre.

Incidently, the Aboriginal people call those who climb the rock, "mingers". It means "white ant" (you probably have to be British to get the joke".

We saw loads of animals on our trip including dingos, wallabies, and even a thorny devil on the way back to Alice.

It was the last night that the cloud 9 clan where together. Heather, Emma, John, Simon and I go our seperate ways. What better way to celebrate the end of the trip than with a bit o' kareoke? To those guys, and everyone else on one of the three trips, hi and happy travelling! Keep in touch.

To tomorrow