Originally Posted by Leumas
As mentioned, the possibility to climb [the rock] may not be around much longer. Even now, it's often closed due to cultural reasons or simply the weather (apparently it can get pretty windy up top).
Heh heh. Our visit a few years ago took on, for us, the ironic dimensions of an old-fashioned morality play.
Mrs999 and I decided that out of respect for the wishes of the local people we would not make the climb. We got up early and went to watch the sunrise effect, leaving our vehicle in the car park on the (east? south?) side of the rock. After the sun had risen, we stopped briefly back at the car to get more water, etc., before setting out to walk all the way around the base. When we were at the car, a young backpacker came up and asked us for a lift to the other side, saying that she was eager to get started on the climb. We explained that we weren't driving anywhere just then, and that was that. Well, we strolled around the rock ... and when we got to the other side, to the start of the climbing-track -- surprise, surprise -- it was closed, because of high wind.
cheers,
Henry