Ayers Rock Climb

Jolyn, Diantha, Aaron & I, with our tour group, had been on a pretty hefty hike thru the Olgas, about 25 miles west of Ayers Rock, early in the day. We drove to Ayers Rock only to find the hike route to the top was closed due to high winds. So, we took a short hike around to a beautiful pool of water at the base of the Rock, then back. At about 330pm, Mulga, our guide, had started up the bus to head for the resort. We were sitting in the bus, exhausted, when Mulga said he thought the hike route to the top was going to be opened & if it were, we should go ahead with the hike because it could be closed tomorrow, that he would wait if we wanted to go up. Sure enough, the park rangers opened the gate. Aaron & I looked at each other & said, 'we're going'!!! So 8 of us from the tour started out up the rock face trail.

The first 50 yards is easy enough, geting you to a chain posted all the way up the trail. The chain is a good thing, great to hang onto when taking one of several breathers up the steep face of the rock. Obviously, it didn't look that steep from the bottom. When we finally got up past the chain, a white dashed lined continued for us to follow. We passed small pools of water, bunches of wild flosers during our ascent. The top by definition was the top, but it was an indulating top, up and down thru rock troughs and ripples. All you had to do was follow the white dashed line to the top. Aaron & I were the 4th & 5th to get to the 865 meter summit. Very magnificent view, to the east Mt. Conner, often mistaken for Ayers Rock, & the Olga Mts. to the west. At the top, is a monument with a brass, octagonal plate atop it identifying Ayers Rock, Geodetic Station, Australian National Survey, established in 1958. We hung out up top for 15 minutes or so, had our pictures taken, then started our decent. Much easier getting back across the rolly top going down. We hit the chain on the face and headed down.
This was a hike I would not have missed. Aaron & I had about 2 liters of water when we started up & had finished it before we got back to the bottom. We also had very good climbing shoes, which were a definite must for traction and balance. Hats, sunscreen & camera a must as well & we didn't hesitate to take frequent breaks going up the face.
The next day however, Aaron & I elected to check out the cultural center while Diantha & Jolyn hiked around the base of the Rock. We were done with hiking for a while!!!!