Ah dadndave answered, that concludes our poll of people on this board
Seriously, you can still climb it because the aboriginals made a deal with the Australian government. They would get their land rights back of this area, under the condition that it could still be climbed. So they put up all the signs to keep you from doing it, but they can't forbid you to.
So the reasons against climbing are obvious, these might be arguments to climb it anyway (please note that I don't agree with all of them, but it's what I've heard so far):
- to some (non-aboriginal) people, a journey to the red center and a climb of Uluru means a lot as well. You have come all this way to see their most valuable treasure, climbing it is spiritual to you too and should be seen as honouring the rock.
- they signed this deal, so their objections must not have been un-overcome-able?
- the main objection is that people get injured or even die on this climb. It's a tricky and slippery ascent, people have had accidents. It's also very steep and combined with the extreme temperatures there have also been heart-attacks etc. These deaths and injuries are a great cause of concern to the aboriginals, it really troubles them. But if you're a skilled climber that is 'sure' that he is not going to die, you could climb it?
- the aboriginals climb it themselves as well, why only them and not others? Compare this e.g. with Kailash in Nepal, which is forbidden to anybody.
Personally, I didn't climb it and did the base walk and I'm glad I did. It was a special experience as well that I won't forget.