Urban Exploration

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Urban exploration (often shortened as urbex or UE) is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of human civilization. Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as infiltration, although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or inhabited sites. In the USA, it may also be referred to as "draining" (when exploring drains) "urban spelunking", and "urban caving", "vadding", "building hacking", "Reality hacking" or "roof and tunnel hacking". - Wikipedia

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Urban exploration has been a hobby of mine since before I knew it had a name. As a kid in elementary school I would regularly explore parts of the building that had been locked off or designated for storage. Eventually, as I grew older, I began to go to more interesting locations such as abandoned military bases, mental institutions, and underground tunnels. It was around this time I started documenting all the places I went to with photos and video.

Step 1: Supplies

Almost every location explored will require different supplies. This list is just a general suggestion for supplies and guidelines.

Dress appropriately: Boots, long pants, backpack, etc.

Flashlight- always have a backup
Cellphone- in case of emergency
Map- if possible (more on this later)
Gloves- protect your hands
Binoculars- scoping out sentinels
Camera- documenting
Rope- climbing things
Explorers pose- last picture

Comments

[kwebber321]

those black things. are those missile heads?

[letstormdufield]

2 miles underground
person 1 "what's that noise!"
person 2 " EARTHQUAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[ilpug]

Three things i have learned from urban spelunking:

1: Look out for water. Drains are used for drainage. This is why they are called drains. Don't go in them if it looks like it will rain, is raining, or has rained recently. Even then, be very careful. In some cities, water mains have cleaning valves on them that run into drainage tunnels. This is so that workers can clean the mains without flooding streets or having to dig holes. If possible, find a map of water mains, and if any newer mains seem to cross a drain you plan to explore, proceed with extra caution.

2. Look out for people. Abandoned stuff attracts more than just urban spelunkers. there can be squatters, homeless, drug addicts, or "Mole People" in these areas, and it is best to steer clear of them. most are fine as long as you leave them alone, some are unstable, and some are violent. The best way to deal with this kind of thing is to dress accordingly. Sure, ring all your high-tech tactical stuff if you want, but don't flaunt it. Don't wear a mask, it shows you have something to hide. wear older clothes, and carry your stuff in an old backpack. If you have all your nice stuff easily visible, it just screams "rob me." In the forgotten urban areas, everyone is equal. Don't use a really bright light, because it can scare and blind people more accustomed to the dark than you, and if possible, don't use a light at all (not saying you shouldn't have one for emergencies). If you do see someone, just say "peace, im just exploring" or something like that. Remember, people do live in these places, and you are trespassing in their homes. In some cases, a lack of people is even worse, because it means there is a reason that people aren't there. If you are in a place that looks like its just begging for people to be living there, and there is no sign of present or past habitation, keep your guard up. Cops or something worse could be keeping people from being there. When it comes to people, you just have to trust your instincts.

3. think like Macguyver. Urban spelunking is a unique experience, and therefore requires unique tools. put dots of glow-in-the-dark paint on stuff in case you drop it. muffle metal tools with tape. Take several pairs of gloves in case one gets ruined. One of the best ideas ive seen in urban exploration was this kid who had a cheap Airsoft pistol with 6mm paintballs, to blind the lenses of security cameras without damaging them. Let your imagination run wild.

[.Unknown.]

Could you explain to me how the lenses are blinded without being damaged just from an airlift gun?
Also, any chances of them using pinhole cameras or something?

[ilpug]

The Airsoft bb is a miniature paintball, so when it hits, it explodes, covering hte target with paint. if you hit a camera in the lens, it will effectively blind the camera because the lens is covered in paint. the BB does not hit hard enough to permanently damage the camera. Pinhole cameras are usually only in places where there is high-value merchandise, like electronics or jewelry stores. most places that you would want to explore dont use them, because larger normal type cameras have better fields of view, resolution, and are a crime deterrent just by being visible.

[blacknkhak]

a guy I work with said his son went to prison for assault with a deadly weapon when he got in an incident involving a b.b. gun. anyway, i like to leave a note on the kitchen table saying where i've gone what time I left and when i'll be back... if i get caught behind one of those self locking doors in some creepy old psyche ward i'd like them to have at least some lame idea of how to save my sorry old self. also remember crackers and a can of sardines etc. if someone stops me i'm polite and brisk and always ready to leave if asked with a big "thank-you very much". i only speak when spoken to and never steal a single piece of junk. dress simple move quick and be prepared, scouts.

[ilpug]

one of the best tools one can bring is a small but heavy sledgehammer. makes easy work of locks, doors, latches, pipes, and cinderblocks. great for gaining entry or escapes. i used one to break through a door in an old building, and i found the remains of a nightclub. was amazing.

[.Unknown.]

Or...learning how to pick locks as a first option. It's certainly a lot more stealthier, and you can get good enough in only a few weeks practise off lockpicking instructables.

[goku ssXXX]

its too bad i don't live in a "tall building" sort of city (mostly residential) or i would be climbing every where XD very useful guide by the way

[Drackar]

Sadly there are very few places in my local area that you can really explore, beyond a few old tunnels and the like...one day I want to go spend several days exploring the tunnels below new york, though...

[Tetranitrate]

Buy "New York Underground" by Julia Solia, its a great book.

[RadBear]

Check out "The Mole People" by Jennifer Toth. It's all about the people who live in the tunnels under New York.

[ilpug]

That book is like my bible.

[themasterpyro]

nice. any abandoned military bases near the Wisconsin/Illinois borderline?

[ilpug]

Use google maps. or google earth. the best tool ever for such applications.

[Odland]

hey dose any one have any ideas on how to obtain blueprints or maps for the location? Google earth dos not give a detailed picture. Plus not all of us have broadband... ;-)

[ilpug]

City hall keeps records. come up with a plausible excuse and you might get some copies. Google image "civil engineering maps of (wherever you are exploring)". that might help. I missed the best opportunity of my life: i had a year-long internship at a local civil engineering firm. they had detailed civil maps of every freaking city in the county, down to the width of the door frames. They were just laying everywhere, and i was virtually on my own there the whole time. I could have easily copied or photographed every map. Did i think to do that? nope. thats how dumb i am. If you want the best maps, think along the lines of survey or civil engineering maps. hyard to get, but worth the effort.

[staffordsass]

this place too

[staffordsass]

post some pics of this amazing place

[uzerzero]

Ahh There was a bunch of construction behind my neighborhood a few months ago, and they had laid all the sewer pipes. So my best mate and I crawled through miles of them.. tiring to say the least. But unfortunately, we didn't have a camera, and by now, they have sewage flowing through them. And I've moved since then. But it was an incredible trip, to say the least! I enjoy exploring a lot of partially constructed homes too.

[lukeyj15]

how did you not get lost or knocked out by the fumes?? !!!!!

[RedFlash]

He said "and by now they have sewage flowing through them" so that means before, when he explored them, there was no sewage going through them. Just empty pipe...

[Derin]



[fallenspirit123]

Thats exactly what I did except mine were water drainage pipes.

[ilpug]

in my small town there are thousands of feet of three foot cement drainage pipe that go under the whole place. i have found the best thing is to get a cheap skateboard and lie on it, an pull yourself along the tunnel with gloved hands. i have found several old cisterns, doors to basements, and several manholes that pop up in unlikely places. the funny thing is that almost every two-lane road in my town has a navigable tunnel under it.

[genius245]

When going into dark tunnels in the middle of the night, if possible, bring friends and a map. Also, just in case there are lunatics who want to eat you, bring a BB gun or a real gun or matches to set off your vast array of fireworks. I always carry a BB gun with me when I go at night. (DON'T forget your grenades!!!)

[oblatsky]

tetranitrate you should check out rotteneggs.com it has an intire section dedicared 2 ue look under egg directory an we should start a section on instructables 4 this cuz rotten eggs is not that user frendly but has good ideas

[ratnator88]

kewl lol i just make homemade bb guns that can fire stones bbs vitamins lol just about anything that can fit in the barral. i take them with me,(easy to get ammo, hurt just as much as the proper ones, and the cops dont give a ahit if u have one) :)

[jokerlz]

The problem is the "cops" spot you with a gun like thing, then they start pointing their guns at you and screaming then instead of dropping your homebrew or otherwise contraption, like they ask you, you wave it at them to show them its fake at which point they "fill ya full of lead" for want of a better phrase.

[bowmaster]

I use a wrist rocket-style slingshot. Works as well, and won't be mistaken for a gun.

[James (pseudo-geek)]

you know thats a good idea to carry a BB gun with you. its not a firearm so cops cant do nothing, and its just powerful enough to inflict large amounts of non-lethal pain.

[pepsivanilla93]

yea but it's also a projectile and they are aware of that

[James (pseudo-geek)]

true but they cant arrest you for that. just don't pull it out if someone else present has a real gun. good way to get shot.

[pepsivanilla93]

in my city they're illegal but it may be different in yours my cops would just take it away like my fireworks (also illegal)

[oblatsky]

dyu liv en canada

[James (pseudo-geek)]

yeah and with a $25 gun, it doesn't really matter, does it, because its not like their gonna catch you every time you buy a new one.

[Joanassie]

it CAN be as cheap as $2.50 CAD, if you buy it in Ajijic, Jalisco.

[James (pseudo-geek)]

oh my word. what kind of gun is that?

[Joanassie]

BB pistol. Could come with laser attachment (not entirely accurate, I modded mine). It comes with a few BBs and you can buy a few thousand more cheap as free. Also, with a Phillips screwdriver you can mod it all you want. My 2 rifles, pistol and about 20,000 BBs cost ABOUT $50, I think? I bought them during 3 different trips to my grandparents' house in Mexico.

[fallenspirit123]

yay, Mexico, My Hometown