<strong>Uluru, Australia: </strong>Uluru, the giant monolith in Australia's Red Centre, will be closed to climbers from October 26. The decision was made out of respect for the land's traditional owners, the Anangu people, who regard it as a sacred site.
Uluru, Australia: Uluru, the giant monolith in Australia's Red Centre, will be closed to climbers from October 26. The decision was made out of respect for the land's traditional owners, the Anangu people, who regard it as a sacred site.
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<strong>Climbing dangers: </strong>Standing 328 meters high, Uluru is taller than the Eiffel Tower and London's Shard. It is hot, slippery and often windy. At least 35 people have died since climbing started in the 1950s.
Climbing dangers: Standing 328 meters high, Uluru is taller than the Eiffel Tower and London's Shard. It is hot, slippery and often windy. At least 35 people have died since climbing started in the 1950s.
Reinhard Kaufhold/picture-alliance via AP Images
<strong>Tourist fines: </strong>Following the ban, anyone who wanders into Uluru's restricted areas faces fines of $630 Australian (US$430) and possible prosecution.
Tourist fines: Following the ban, anyone who wanders into Uluru's restricted areas faces fines of $630 Australian (US$430) and possible prosecution.
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<strong>Kantju Gorge: </strong>A waterfall cascades into Uluru's Kantju Gorge after a rain shower. Though the climb may be closing, the rock is still open for business. For instance, the Uluru base walk is a 10 kilometer journey around the site that can be completed in around 3.5 hours.
Kantju Gorge: A waterfall cascades into Uluru's Kantju Gorge after a rain shower. Though the climb may be closing, the rock is still open for business. For instance, the Uluru base walk is a 10 kilometer journey around the site that can be completed in around 3.5 hours.
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
<strong>Visitor influx: </strong>Park visitors take photos during sunrise from a viewing area at Uluru in August. Local operators say the next few weeks will be hectic as visitors rush to climb the rock, mostly Australian families, retirees and Japanese tourists (who have long been avid climbers of Uluru).
Visitor influx: Park visitors take photos during sunrise from a viewing area at Uluru in August. Local operators say the next few weeks will be hectic as visitors rush to climb the rock, mostly Australian families, retirees and Japanese tourists (who have long been avid climbers of Uluru).
Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Walk of shame: </strong>"I climbed Uluru" used to be the proud boast sold on T-shirts at the local tourist shop back in the mid-1990s. In recent years, however, climbing Uluru has seemed less of a boast and more of a confession. Signs at the base of the rock implore people not to climb out of respect for its traditional owners.
Walk of shame: "I climbed Uluru" used to be the proud boast sold on T-shirts at the local tourist shop back in the mid-1990s. In recent years, however, climbing Uluru has seemed less of a boast and more of a confession. Signs at the base of the rock implore people not to climb out of respect for its traditional owners.
TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Nearly half a million visitors: </strong>According to the first official records, more than 2,000 visited Uluru in 1958. This year, around 460,000 flew or drove hundreds of kilometers to the remote World Heritage site, which is listed for its outstanding natural and cultural values.
Nearly half a million visitors: According to the first official records, more than 2,000 visited Uluru in 1958. This year, around 460,000 flew or drove hundreds of kilometers to the remote World Heritage site, which is listed for its outstanding natural and cultural values.
Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
<strong>Chain to be removed: </strong>A chain handhold was added to Uluru in 1964 and extended in 1976 to make the hour-long climb easier. Once the ban kicks in, "the area will be zoned off as a no-access area and soon after that the climb chain will be slowly removed," said park manager Mike Misso.
Chain to be removed: A chain handhold was added to Uluru in 1964 and extended in 1976 to make the hour-long climb easier. Once the ban kicks in, "the area will be zoned off as a no-access area and soon after that the climb chain will be slowly removed," said park manager Mike Misso.
Courtesy Niki Dowding