European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 18, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Rock climbing the route up Ayers Rocic is Short but difficult and still attracts climbers. Hefty or thin fit or out of shape they Range from an infant in a 6acpac to folks in their 70s. A Ayers Rock tourists flock to climb australian landmark by Paul Alexander the associated press the tourists Hunker Down and cling to the thick Chain As another 60 Mph blast of desert wind threatens to blow them from their precarious Perch. When the gust eases they stand As upright As they can while still gripping the cast Iron lifeline then continue to trudge up the red Sandstone of Australia s most striking natural landmark Ayers Rock. There s got to be an easier Way to prove i be got guts muttered one fit looking teen Ager As he climbed Down alone past the group straining to keep his footing after a Brief rain Shower sickened the Rock. Surveys by Luuru National Park say reaching the top of the Rock 1,142 feet above the surrounding desert is the goal listed by 70 percent of the 280,000 people who each year visit the Monolith and the nearby Olgas a group of 36 composite Rock Mounds. The National Park is about 1,300 Miles Northwest of Sydney in Central Australia. Climbing Ayers Rock has become such a Blind ambition that officials and aborigines worry that people underestimate Shat can be a Tough two hour excursion both physically and mentally. The vast majority of people end the trip with a sense of accomplishment photos of red desert stretching almost unbroken to the horizon and nothing worse than shaky Knees. Out 25 climbers have died in 27 years from Falls and heart attacks. The local Anang us nun ooh people Don t climb Luuru Ayers Rock s aboriginal name because it is one of their sacred Sites. Although they have granted permission for others to do so they feel responsible for accidents and would prefer tourists take easier walks in the area and learn about the Rock s history and their ancient culture. Park rangers and polite shudder at the almost ant like Stream of people going up and Dovi the Rock because they re responsible for rescues. The last 1 2 months have brought 1 rescues. Requires an average of six rangers and police officers to risk their lives to haul the victim in a special Stretcher to a spot where a helicopter can land. If it s too Windy As it often is they Winch the Stretcher All the Way Down the Steep slope. On nov. 17, a 20-year-old american Exchange student Allan Jones of Buffalo . Wandered off the Trail and injured an ankle in a 65-foot fall onto a ledge. No one heard his Calls for help for More than four hours and the eight hour Rescue through the heat of the Day left him and the rescuers dehydrated. Signs in English German and japanese at the base of the single narrow path warn of the danger. Brass plaques Mark the deaths. Each Park visitor gets a brochure listing the symptoms of heart failure and heat stress. Climbing is banned 10 a.m.-4 . When the temperature is forecast to hit 100 degrees or when rain wets the track making the already Tricky footing treacherous and forcing even the most sure footed to grab the Chain. Storms Are particularly worrisome because the Monolith attracts lightning. But still they climb flocks of japanese tourists in gloves to prevent blisters from the Chain women in shoes with medium heels even a few people Barefoot. Hefty or thin fit or out of shape they Range from an infant in a Backpack Carrier to folks in their 70s. The route is relatively Short but deceptively difficult. The calves and lungs complain going up the thighs and Knees going Down. The sense of balance is under constant assault. The Rock plunges rapidly on either Side of the path which rises at a Grade of perhaps 40 degrees. To let faster climbers pass people Inch away from the Chain and sit leaving them susceptible to vertigo As they look below. Some nearly crawl All the Way Down one woman spent most of the time on the scat of her shorts. The rangers deliberately did not Start the Chain until about -10 feet up just above a spot called Chicken Rock so people get a feel for what they re getting into. It ends about three quarters up when die Grade Levels out a bit but the wind Speed increases. Aps a travellers tips what they Are Luuru National Park is about 1,300 Miles Northwest of Sydney in Central Australia. The Olgas also known by their aboriginal name Kata Juta pronounced Kah 1 at Kijoo Tahare a group of 36 Mounds of conglomerate Rock that once May have been one huge dome that dwarfed Ayers Rock the tallest is 650 feet. Scientists estimate 1,142 foot tall Ayers Rock also known As Luuru plunges nearly 20,000 feet underground and May link up with the Olgas 23 Miles away. How to get there the major Domestic airlines Ansett and australian operate regular flights to Zulara the resort Complex that serves Ayers Rock and the Olgas. Round trip ires from Sydney Start at $400, although package deals can take the Cost considerably lower. The Chan train makes the 20 hour trip overnight from Adelaide to Alice Springs with costs ranging from $67 one Way for a reclining seat to $580 round trip for a first class compartment with private toilet and Shower. Alice Springs is a 180-mile drive from Luuru. Where to stay the Zulara Complex 13 Miles from Ayers Rock offers a wide Range of accommodation from a tent site for $6.12 a person nightly to a deluxe suite in a five Star hotel sails in the desert for $306 a night. The Complex also has a pub several restaurants min supermarket service station Public Observatory photo store and souvenir shops. Costs for food and fuel Are up to 25 percent higher than in Alia Springs. What to do unless travelling by car the Best Way to see the sights is with any of numerous Tours. These include Sunrise and Sunset trips Solo walks and trips with aboriginal guides who explain their lifestyle and mythology. An aboriginal shop at the Ranger station inside Luuru National Park offers indigenous arts and crafts. There is also an aboriginal Art gallery. 10 stripes for jury 18, 1