Do any of you do it? I've been naturally curious about the world around me all my life and after reading some of the stories people have (see http://sleepycity.net/posts/67/DIY_Supervillain_Hideout or http://sleepycity.net/posts/77/Not_Another_Standard_Abandonment) I decided I'd start exploring the more neglected areas of the world around me.
I know some of you out there have done something like this, so chime in! Don't be shy.
Ok, so before anything gets heated up, always remember some basic rules:
-Never go alone
-Never go without telling anyone that doesn't go with you what you're planning to do
-Never go without lights, batteries, basic medkit, water and emergency supplies, and a means to contact the outside (knowing that depending on where you end up, you might have no cell signal), also maps and compass.
-Although most signs can be ignored, the ones with DANGER written on it must not be tried unless extensive research has been done on them.
-Plan your exploration. Get blueprints.
-Don't do stupid stuff
-Don't forget your camera, and if you can, a voice recorder :)
>>2
Oh, and I forgot - wear gloves and get your tetanos shots done.
I don't think there's much to explore in Arizona. Maybe somewhere though.
>>4
If you live in a city, there probably IS stuff to explore. Factories, sewers, etc. Might not be as epic as the niagara tunnel, but if you're into old structures and such, there is quite a lot to enjoy.
Sorry to derail, but is there actually stuff actually in Arizona, like in the East Valley area?
I like doing UE, but I was wondering, are there any good websites than can be used to research potential locations? I don't get much free time to go scouting for sites to explore so it'd be interesting to see if I could research locations online somehow. Also, where does one find blueprints? I thought those are typically private documents, especially for any infrastructure projects (lolterrorism and all that.)
>>8
Most city stuff you can find in your city archive (sensible parts might not be included, of course). Otherwise, with some research and/or social engeneering you might get your hands on some.
To research potential locations, well... nothing beats history books and such, as well as trial and error. Of course google helps too, due to the huge mass of documentation on almost anything that gets on the tubes at one point or another.
That said, I always found that research, planning and preparations was half the fun. Just doing the exploration would be like unwrapping a christmas gift without having decorated the christmas tree.
Urban Exploration... That's one thing I'd love to do, if I had someone to go with D: I don't know anyone who is interested in that kind of thing... and this city has some gorgeous abandoned houses <_<
Any suggestions for a person who wants to, but can't do this alone? xD
It would be awesome to creat a guild, tag everywhere youve been then go hunting for eachothers tags. It would have to be small scale to start but as people join the area would spread untill its all of the UK (i just presumed everyone was in the UK, damn). Im gonna have a think about this.
Is anyone here in the UK, around Isle of Wight or Hampshire?
>>10
Depends on if you care about your safety.
>>11
On thurther inspection it looks like there already are guilds of such, alough i dont think they tag.
>>11
Please don't tag any sites. One of the main generally accepted rules of UE is to "leave only footprints" - i.e. don't disturb the sites you visit in any way, shape, or form. Trespassing is already a crime, but one should respect the property so that the owners won't have any reason to call the police or install heightened security. Even leaving something behind can be considered littering, so it's not a very good idea.
You may want to look into Geocaching instead. It pretty much goes along your idea; hunt for something somebody left behind, leave your "mark" (usually a small trinket) for others to find. Also probably not as dangerous as UE, and can potentially be done solo, depending on the site. I'd do this but I haven't the money for a GPS unit right now, sadly.
>>13
I supose pictures is enuth proof that youve been there. I'll look up Geocaching.
>>13>>14
Geocaching is fun and works well.
The only problem is that when you start exploring underground tunnels and such... well let's just say that GPS signal is easily lost, you know?
All in all I'd say they can easily be parallel hobbies but you do not necessary do both at the same time. Makes me wonder... any geohashers in 4-ch?
Chuck a 40 in your backpack, if you run into a hobo give it to them and stress that you just want to take some pictures and will leave soon.
I'unno if this is the same as UE, but like I enjoy doing Urban Safaris.
Deliberately going into run down, seedy, and disgusting parts of inner cities to take pictures and see the everyday life.
I often carry a CCW and a cell phone with me "just in case". Typically I have no problems as I just kinda keep to myself.
It's rather fascinating in a disgusting way. It's almost like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. but for real.
Didn't really know other people liked this!
Havn't heard or Urban Exploration, but I always want to walk every street in every new place I get to. Including run-down factories and abandoned houses, those are the best stuff. I suppose UE is just the right name for it.
I walk alone. Usually I only equip myself with a map and pair of shoes, occasionally a camera. I'm not verry carefull, I think I've tresspassed quite often (unintentionally).
I love the thought of some sort of a guild, site or whatever.