After tomorrow, the dangerous climb up Uluru will be closed to tourists forever, with thousands of them rushing to the red centre to climb the sacred rock.

Today, large swathes of visitors who have rushed to beat the ban on climbing Uluru have been told they may not be permitted to ascend the rock before the climb shuts permanently.

Hundreds of people have been left waiting in line at the base of Uluru after the climb was deemed too dangerous.

The climb was scheduled to open at 7:00am ACT, but after an assessment from rangers, the climb was closed due to high winds.

The climb is expected to permanently close at 4:00pm ACT this afternoon.

The status of the climb is expected to be reassessed at 10:00am ACT, 12:00pm and 2:00pm.

Rush to beat climb ban saddens traditional owners

As huge crowds line up at the base of Uluru, the influx has frustrated traditional owners, who have long campaigned for the climb's closure.

The permanent closure of the climb was announced two years ago, but in recent months Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has seen thousands of tourists flock to climb the rock before they no longer can.

Uluru is a sacred site and of great spiritual significance to First Australians, and Anangu traditional owners say climbing it is not only disrespectful but also dangerous.

 

In Uluru's history, at least 37 people have died while making the ascent.

 

Uluru custodian Leroy Lester said there were several reasons why Anangu wanted the climb closed.

"Mainly because it's a sacred site and mainly because for safety reasons, pollution on top, no toilets up there and E. coli killing all the organisms, all the frogs and everything," he said.

"And it's very, very dangerous."

Mr Lester said the large number of people travelling to climb the rock in the face of objections by traditional owners represented a clash of cultures in Australia.

"A different culture, conquer and divide, you can't blame them. It's in their genes, that Anglo-Saxon way," he said.

Mr Lester said he wasn't sure people would respect the closure of the climb.

"Some will, some won't. 50/50 depending on how well people are educated on the matter, on Aboriginal culture, how they accept Aboriginal culture and respect it," he said.

"But we just have to see."

'Equivalent to rushing to climb War Memorial'

Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt says he has been disappointed by the large numbers of people rushing to climb Uluru before it closes.

"I understand there are people that want to put it on their bucket list," he said.

"It would be equivalent to having a rush of people wanting to climb over the Australian War Memorial.

"Our sacred objects, community by community, are absolutely important in the story and the history of that nation of people."

Mr Wyatt said people who have climbed Uluru in the past should reflect on how they've disrespected traditional owners.

"I wouldn't want to curse anybody nor leave them with negative elements of life," he said.

"But reflect back what you've done and reflect back on the fact you've disrespected a community of traditional owners who have always wanted the right to have a say about what is sacred to them."

'This is about coming together'

Northern Territory senator Malarndirri McCarthy has urged Australians to respect the wishes of traditional owners ahead of the climbing ban.

"The Anangu traditional owners have repeatedly expressed a desire for people to show respect to the rock's cultural value by not climbing it," she said.

Senator McCarthy told Channel Nine it was important to recognise times and attitudes had changed.

"This is more about the coming together," she said.

"I think in Australia we are acknowledging the importance of First Nations people in our place, in our history in this country, and around the world."

 

----------- From ABC News

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-25/uluru-climb-closure-nt--groups-line-up-to-climb-before-ban/11638460