If you're going to venture into the world of urban exploring, there are a few key steps in making sure your excursion is a safe and happy one.
1: A backpack. As unconventional as it may seem, you can never have enough space
for the well-placed rope you might find along the way, or for your own supplies. I wouldn't
advise bringing a large bag by any means, nor a clunky shoulder bag that can be caught on
obstacles, but a med-sized bag that can be tossed on your back, and remain out of the way
is ideal for any excursion.
2: Medical supplies/First Aid is absolutely ESSENTIAL when exploring. I cannot stress
this one enough! You will be surrounded by broken glass, splintered wood, rusting metal,
and countless other forms of debris more often than not. If you have an allergy to something
like spider bites or bee stings, bring an epi-pen and antihistamines. Always remember to
bring bandages, absorbent cloth/gauze, and disinfectant. In addition, antibacterial hand gel
would be a great investment.
3: A flashlight. A flashlight should be almost mandatory for any explorer. Even if you go in
daylight, there may not always be light in the building, particularly if it is still mostly intact. In a
lot of cases, larger buildings such as schools, hospitals, etc., have a basement or sub-basement
level completely engulfed in darkness. You'll be sorry later if you miss the opportunity on some
amazing finds based solely on your lack of light-source. SIDENOTE: DO NOT rely on your
smartphone as a flashlight, and the battery will drain much faster than you realize. This is not a safe
or reliable method, and should you go in alone, and wind up hurt, you'll have no way to call for help.
4: A camera should come to mind when you think of exploring abandoned ruins, and if it doesn't,
then you're missing out! More than likely, unless you frequent a place, by the next time you
travel there, it will look completely different than before. Taking pictures/videos of these ruins can
be a golden opportunity, if not in some cases once in a lifetime. (SIDENOTE: Taking pictures
of property while trespassing is also illegal. You have been warned. If you are caught on
premises, your camera/device will be confiscated. [see disclaimer]).
5: Hiking boots/proper apparel should be common sense, but let's go through it anyway.
You're going to be climbing through some tough, uneven, and even slippery terrain. It may
be flooded, and you may have to hike to get there. There will be other factors than elements,
such as bugs, snakes, and other animals (and even people sometimes [hobos, police, squatters,
and fellow explorers alike]). Less naturally-occurring hazards may also come into play, such as
exposed chemicals. Consider this: Your flesh is on the line, and the more it hurts, the more
you're going to regret not only the trip but the hike/trip back to safety. I strongly suggest water-
-resistant hiking boots, pants, and a light jacket (yes, even in summer, throw it in the bag!).
6: Water and light nourishment may be a good idea if you plan to stay out for a long period of
time. You'll be potentially burning a lot of energy by accessing some of these places! Water
can also serve well to rinse off any wounds you may receive, so be sure to at least bring a bottle.
Simple enough really, doesn't need much explaining.
this one enough! You will be surrounded by broken glass, splintered wood, rusting metal,
and countless other forms of debris more often than not. If you have an allergy to something
like spider bites or bee stings, bring an epi-pen and antihistamines. Always remember to
bring bandages, absorbent cloth/gauze, and disinfectant. In addition, antibacterial hand gel
would be a great investment.
3: A flashlight. A flashlight should be almost mandatory for any explorer. Even if you go in
daylight, there may not always be light in the building, particularly if it is still mostly intact. In a
lot of cases, larger buildings such as schools, hospitals, etc., have a basement or sub-basement
level completely engulfed in darkness. You'll be sorry later if you miss the opportunity on some
amazing finds based solely on your lack of light-source. SIDENOTE: DO NOT rely on your
smartphone as a flashlight, and the battery will drain much faster than you realize. This is not a safe
or reliable method, and should you go in alone, and wind up hurt, you'll have no way to call for help.
4: A camera should come to mind when you think of exploring abandoned ruins, and if it doesn't,
then you're missing out! More than likely, unless you frequent a place, by the next time you
travel there, it will look completely different than before. Taking pictures/videos of these ruins can
be a golden opportunity, if not in some cases once in a lifetime. (SIDENOTE: Taking pictures
of property while trespassing is also illegal. You have been warned. If you are caught on
premises, your camera/device will be confiscated. [see disclaimer]).
5: Hiking boots/proper apparel should be common sense, but let's go through it anyway.
You're going to be climbing through some tough, uneven, and even slippery terrain. It may
be flooded, and you may have to hike to get there. There will be other factors than elements,
such as bugs, snakes, and other animals (and even people sometimes [hobos, police, squatters,
and fellow explorers alike]). Less naturally-occurring hazards may also come into play, such as
exposed chemicals. Consider this: Your flesh is on the line, and the more it hurts, the more
you're going to regret not only the trip but the hike/trip back to safety. I strongly suggest water-
-resistant hiking boots, pants, and a light jacket (yes, even in summer, throw it in the bag!).
6: Water and light nourishment may be a good idea if you plan to stay out for a long period of
time. You'll be potentially burning a lot of energy by accessing some of these places! Water
can also serve well to rinse off any wounds you may receive, so be sure to at least bring a bottle.
Simple enough really, doesn't need much explaining.
B: Don't go alone into the unknown! You like that one?... Good, cause it just came to me... And I'm using it... I'm sure it's a thing already somewhere, but that's besides the point. The point is, don't go to these places by yourself, no matter how confident you are. You're treading into unknown territory, with unknown elements and unknown surprise factors. If you're alone and you fall through a rotting floor hidden by a carpet [a more common hazard than you'd think], who's gonna pull you out?... The police?... Good luck with that. Also, four eyes are better than two. While you may not see a hazard, or a danger [person, animal, or otherwise], a partner just might. It is almost mandatory to bring at least one other person with you at all times.
C: Don't be stupid, plain and simple. Don't get cocky, and don't get too comfortable with anything. The moment you do, it will inevitably fail you. Remember that you're in an ever-changing environment. Keep your eyes on the ground, and watch your step. Glance your eyes frequently to the ceiling/sky for hazard awareness. While you may not have to whisper at most places, keeping a low-profile is often the best scenario.
D: DO NOT destroy, vandalize, or damage the property any further!! Touch things, interact with things, see what makes them tick, that's all the point really, pictures and eye-candy aside, but by no means should you EVER do anything destructive to these properties!! They've probably been there longer than you've been on this Earth, or at least certainly longer than you've been galloping around them. Also, think about it this way... If you're interested in going, there are probably a metric FUCKTON of other people who'd love the chance to even see the place. Main point: Just don't do it. I couldn't be more serious about this one. There's nothing more offensive than a beautiful place covered in graffiti saying "I fucked this person", or "I was here"... You know who actually cares about that stuff??... NO ONE. They'll just wanna kick your ass for messing up a beautiful location.
C: Don't be stupid, plain and simple. Don't get cocky, and don't get too comfortable with anything. The moment you do, it will inevitably fail you. Remember that you're in an ever-changing environment. Keep your eyes on the ground, and watch your step. Glance your eyes frequently to the ceiling/sky for hazard awareness. While you may not have to whisper at most places, keeping a low-profile is often the best scenario.
D: DO NOT destroy, vandalize, or damage the property any further!! Touch things, interact with things, see what makes them tick, that's all the point really, pictures and eye-candy aside, but by no means should you EVER do anything destructive to these properties!! They've probably been there longer than you've been on this Earth, or at least certainly longer than you've been galloping around them. Also, think about it this way... If you're interested in going, there are probably a metric FUCKTON of other people who'd love the chance to even see the place. Main point: Just don't do it. I couldn't be more serious about this one. There's nothing more offensive than a beautiful place covered in graffiti saying "I fucked this person", or "I was here"... You know who actually cares about that stuff??... NO ONE. They'll just wanna kick your ass for messing up a beautiful location.
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