What is Urban Exploration all about?
This FAQ was written by MarkR from the 28dayslater forum. It is reproduced here with his permission. The original article can be found here;
Urban Exploration - An introduction for newbies
This is an introduction to Urban Exploration, what your getting yourself into, how best to prepare yourself and some other helpful points.
Urban Exploration
Firstly, Urban Exploration has no set boundaries, it covers a huge spectrum of places and has no limits. Exploring ranges from disused asylums/hospitals, bunkers, drains, industrial sites to cranes to infiltration of live sites.
Urban explorers usually want to visit places that most others do not want to go, we do this in most cases to document and photograph our heritage and to explore the normally unseen or off-limits parts of human civilization.
Saying this urban exploration does also cover places that are open to the public, there's nothing wrong with exploring say a restored fort or a museum, its whatever you want it to be.
Always know your limits, don't try anything too intense if you don't feel happy with it, and never feel pressurised into doing something you don't want to do.
There are no set rules in Urban exploration, most things go, however you should never break in anywhere and never steal anything.
Trespass and being caught
Always remember this usually involves trespass and being where your not supposed to be, if your not happy with doing this, then its probably not for you. The rules of trespass are explained in more detail in other areas on the forum, to put it simply, trespass is not a criminal offence, it is a civil one however this does not mean you will not get arrested, if your caught, police may well take you in and ask questions later. Be warned.
If you are caught by security on a site, remember its their job to keep the buildings secure and people out, be as polite as possible, explain why you are there and what you doing, if they ask you to leave the site immediately it is always better to do so without fuss, remember, if you have not broken in or stolen anything you have nothing to worry about. Don't get aggressive.
Remember live military, live railways, airfields and nuclear power stations are different, the rules of trespass don't apply. You can get in serious trouble. DON'T GO THERE
The dangers:
The dangers of exploring are immense, most of the places you will be entering have usually been empty a long time.
Firstly, try not to explore on your own. At least when you first start, the buildings are not only dangerous but you never know who or what you may come across. If you do go alone, at least let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Most explorers go in groups of 2-4, any more than this will almost guarantee you will get caught, always stick together and never leave a site until all your group are accounted for.
Try not to explore at night unless you have to or their is no other way, most buildings have rotten flooring which people have been known to fall through.
Other dangers involve asbestos, broken glass, nails, needles, lead paint, chemicals and animal excrement. Wear a P3 mask if your worried.
What to take with you?
The kit to take to exploring is a personal thing, however nearly everyone you explore with will always have a least a camera and a torch!
this list covers most things but will depend on a site. what your wear is optional but its always better to wear something warm, particularly in winter. Combat trousers are usually a good idea as are gloves and a hat and a good pair of shoes or boots.
Take as much as you can in the car, you never know if you will need to go back and get something:
- Rucksack or camera bag
- Camera and spare memory card.
- Tripod
- Torch
- Mobile phone
- Spare torch and spare batteries
- Hard hat with head torch
- Knee pads
- Dry clothing and spare socks
- Rope
- First aid kit
- Emergency money
- Glow sticks
- Water
- Food
- Toilet paper
- Overalls and waders
- High Vis jacket
- Ladder
- P3 respirator or at least a P3 disposable dust mask.
- Night vision
- Lighter ( optional ) - better not to have on its own without cigarrettes to explain why you have it
- Multitool ie Leatherman ( optional ) - be aware of the law about carrying a locking blade. The multitool is meant as an emergency. Be aware of the risks with being found with one.
NEVER take with you:
- Marker pens
- Spray Paint
- Tools ie crow bar/ bolt croppers
- Drugs of any kind
- Weapons
- Any type of explosive ie fireworks
Research and gaining access:
Research is a huge factor in UE. There are many options, the internet is a vast assett to us. People spend days trawling the internet, google is your friend. Their are dozens of other ways to get leads, your local newspaper will usually have a story on somewhere that is closing, check the news websites as well. Get in the car and drive around, you will be suprised at the stuff you find.
Ask around, you'd be suprised at how many people will mention to you about sites they have spotted even if they aren't explorers. The older generations will also be an assett to you.
Access to sites will vary, be prepared for fencing at most places, there are usually ways around it though. Sometimes windows and doors are boarded, don't give up, keep walking around the site for another entrance and remember that secound storey windows are not usually boarded. More and more sites have CCTV, this isn't the end of the world, find the best way round them, look for blind spots. Theres other threads on the forum about various other security devices.
You will at certain sites come across the fact that you can not find a way in. For example in the situation of a bunker network you may have to get to it through another private building or need to access through a steel door that needs keys. Or another example, certain military sites may be derelict/unused but may still be under the MOD security.
Don't give up. There is always a way. There is nothing wrong with asking people for permission. Quite alot of reports on sites have only come about by being given permission or being given a tour.
Be prepared for lots of dead ends though, it may sometimes take 10-20 phone calls or numerous letters in the process as you are passed from pillar to post. But eventually you will find the right person, be polite, explain what you want to see and why, and sound really keen and enthusiastic and make them feel really important, and 99% of the time you will get your way.
Lastly
Remember, try not to get caught, be careful out there and remember we didn't tell you to do this!