Urban Exploration; Pondering?
After my little taste of this in Malta, I’m getting itchy feet to give it another go.
I’m asking myself why I should go creeping about, technically trespassing just to take photographs, to feel the atmosphere and to be somewhere I’m really not supposed to be.
I don’t have any answers, its just something I need to try.
I will be the first to admin that I ‘wussed out’ when jumping over the wall to have a peek in Mystique but what I felt was a sense of excitement.
To see things in a state of decay is not something we are accustomed to, in today’s western world of ‘everything new’ and I’m still angry with myself for not following through.
There is not much content on the STEEM blockchain regarding this topic, but a couple of Steemians I follow, namely @steemonkey and @k0wsk1 have already explored and posted about it in the past.
I would like to hear from either of them regarding their experiences about it.
- Was it creepy?
- Was there any security?
- Would you do it solo?
- Did you meet any crazies?
Mentioning Urban Exploration to my daughter @dismayedworld I got the response, ‘Everyone knows what that is’. She wants to start at the top, ‘Mental Institutions’, but not with me, that would be way un-cool.
I checked my local area and there are a decent amount of places that could be checked out. Some are hard to gain entry too, and some not. Some have security that you need to avoid and other simply have the statutory ‘no trespassing’ signs.
Trespassing in England is not a criminal offense when it comes to disused buildings, unless you are on government property.
I suppose this excludes places like old hospitals that would have been run by the NHS, but looking at UrbEx sites such as 28daysLater, there’s plenty who would risk getting in them to get photographs.
If security does catch you, the worst thing that will happen is an escort out of the premises. Age is another thing that I need to think about. Urban Exploration appears to be for the young. Am I too old for this shit?
Reading forums, there are also plenty of ‘failed attempts’ to infiltrate some of these old buildings.
The genuine Urban Explorer does not take anything beside photographs and leaves nothing behind only footprints.
That motto resonates well with me. Most places have already been vandalised and things taken.
I’m there to document and photograph, and nothing else. If I am ‘caught’ then that will be my genuine reason for being there.
I am eyeing up a couple of places close to where I live. It seems there are many to choose from old pubs on the moors to lunatic asylums.
I think I may start with the former and work up to the asylums when I have the nerve.
References:
https://www.theurbanexplorer.co.uk/
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/
https://www.whateversleft.co.uk/
https://www.britainsdecays.com/
http://www.urbanxphotography.co.uk/urbex-faqs
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Hi Slobberchops, You may need to be aware of non-official encounters.
I did a little bit of urban exploration while on holiday in the USA. We were driving near Silver City in the mid-west and encountered a deserted looking mining town. There was an abandoned bank, and looking through the smashed-in door we could see a classic old walk-in safe. Big, black with filigree'd designs painted on. So we went in.
A few minutes later I wandered out to take more shots and a guy on a Harley rode past. He took a wide, leisurely u-turn, and stopped in front of me.
"What y'all doin'?"
My mind went back to the STOP sign peppered with bullet holes I'd photographed when we arrived.
"Hello, we're just on holiday - I love a bit of industrial archaeology and this old mine has lots of it!"
The guy explained that there'd been a lot of vandalism here and he liked to look after his town...
We left not long after.
I think the US may be a little different. Some people over there think guns before brains. You did right to get the hell out of there.
It scares me to think about doing this again, but I want to prove to myself that I can and have some balls. After the Mystique incident I cant help but feeling I should have at least taken some more snaps.
That place was not vandalised like many are here. It surprised me that it was in such good condition inside.
Glad you know it's not illegal. Just do it I say as long as you're ready for the occasional encounter with smackheads. They're usually ok in my experience as long as they're not surprised and quickly reassured that you're not there to nick them.
Are you speaking from experience? This is one of the things that bothers me about it all.
We are about to go out on our maiden UrbEx. Will do the write up in the next day if we are not murdered by smackheads.
EDIT: I was looking for the one you did and couldn't find it.. Could you point me to it?
I've encountered a few pal. They're more afraid and vulnerable than you. They're always getting their heads kicked in around here. I offer them a smile and a kindly 'alright lads...just havin a look around the building.' They always respond in kind in my experience but I usually have a tool in my pocket just in case. I feel sorry for them.
The old dairy factory I visited was on the edge of Torrington in Devon.
I'll bear that in mind, I'm not there to fight them or give them hassle. I thought the one you did was close to Wigan somewhere?
Just returned from a successful trip armed with a story and lots of snaps.
No mate. I did the dairy factory when on a short break in Devon. There's lots of old mills, factories etc round the north west though thanks to the old industrial heritage. Lookin forward to your post.
FOR TSE: I love creepy old buildings and abandoned houses. Their atmosphere is always so strange, and different, and amazing. Your imagination can have quite a time, speculating on the people that were here ... and the things that happened. (But, yeah, running into junkies can douse your enthusiasm.)
They are scary but attract me. We did our first one yesterday, with @bingbabe in tow. Not as wimpy as you thought eh? Just posted it. I think I'm hooked.
I prefer watching it on screen... I'd be worried that part of the building might collapse, or water might flood in...
Have a look at Patrick Dickinson on YouTube. I love his films. He explores all sorts of abandoned tunnels etc, using fairly sophisticated camera gear and lighting. He's retired, so you don't have to be a spring chicken to do this kind of thing. He seems to know what he's doing too - I think he had employment related to underground tunnels. He's explored Sheffield's Megatron storm drain a couple of times. I think it looks incredibly spooky, but awesome.
I keep meaning to watch the series 'Urban Explorers' though I'm not taking it to that level. We did one today which I will post shortly.
Drains.. forget it! I'm not going into horrible muddy shit for anybody!
No, me neither. Prefer being up on a mountain! Looking forward to reading your post.
I am not surprised at all. My mental image tells me this:
I read your other post before this one. Looks like you made your decision :) I look forward to reading your continued adventures in Urban Exploring!
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There are 'no trespassing' signs and there are NO TRESPASSING signs. I always take a look at the signs before I go in. The US Government is pretty funny about being on their turf, so I tend to stay away from that. Except for once in a while.
I did a Connie post about an abandoned place in Nevada. Coldale, matter of fact. I still think it's one of the best posts I've done here. The place really affected me. https://steemit.com/travel/@bigtom13/travels-with-connie-43-dream-die-hard I've got another place scheduled mid November, we'll see how that goes.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
I see you got some @curie love for that one. I'm keeping away from Government places too, as they are usually guarded. A lunatic asylum would freak me out but they are here if you want to seek them out.
We just returned from our maiden UrbEx, and a great success it was too. Will post it in a few days.
Hi @slobberchops, I'm @checky ! While checking the mentions made in this post I noticed that @k0wski doesn't exist on Steem. Did you mean to write @k0wsk1 ?
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