By: _.rrico_ [ Instagram ]
This article may contain information that contravenes local laws and regulations in your jurisdiction. Activities that have fallen under the umbrella term “Urban Exploration” have lead to injuries, including deaths. The following content is for entertainment purposes only. Always respect local laws and prioritise personal safety.
Contents
- 1.0 Introduction
- 2.0 My Philosophy on Urban Exploration
- 3.0 The Mental and Physical Aspects of Urban Exploration
- 4.0 Gear Considerations for Urban Exploration
- 5.0 An Urban Exploration Encounter
- 6.0 Closing
1.0 Introduction
Urban exploration, or Urbex, is the act of exploring abandoned or restricted urban environments. Abandoned buildings, forgotten spaces, and hidden corners retaken by nature become my avenues of exploration. Urbex defies the mundane by delving into the unknown realms of urban environments and rekindles the thrill of discovery. This subculture not only challenges the conventional boundaries of exploration but also brings back the excitement of adventure in the urban spaces we surround ourselves with.
For those striving to inject adventure into their lives but unsure where to begin with urban exploration, this journey offers both excitement and challenges. Embarking on adventures into the clandestine world of abandoned structures requires a keen understanding of the risks involved. These can range from structural instability to legal repercussions and environmental hazards.
The legal implications of trespassing and the potential to encounter hazardous environments add layers of complexity to urban exploration. Developing skills in navigation, photography, and risk assessment, as well as equipping oneself with the appropriate gear, are crucial steps. This involves researching local laws, seeking advice from experienced explorers, and joining online communities dedicated to sharing insights and safety tips. These resources and experiences can empower you to safely explore lesser-known urban spaces around you.
The motivations and methods behind participating in Urbex vary widely. I will share my personal approach to the subject, including how to locate sites, face physical and mental challenges, select the right gear and understand its rationale, navigate potential dangers, and apply these insights to your own adventures.
2.0 My Philosophy on Urban Exploration
The mindset for Urbex varies for each individual. For me, it represents an opportunity to embark on a captivating journey into the hidden corners of a world forgotten out of apathy. It’s a chance to witness the remnants of the past intertwined with the evolving present. My perspective is deeply rooted in an appreciation for the beauty found within these abandoned places. Instead of engaging in destructive acts or leaving marks through graffiti, I strive to document the current state of these environments in their most genuine and unaltered form. My goal is to preserve the authenticity of these spaces, allowing them to tell their own stories without the need for external changes. Through my exploration, I aim to unveil an untold narrative of urban decay, creating visual documentation that honors the history and integrity of the places I visit.
The sense of adventure inherent in endeavors like these is unparalleled; I cannot compare it to anything else. Surrounded by historical cities embraced by nature, I am fortunate to have numerous opportunities for exploration right at my doorstep, thanks to my location. One of my initial significant experiences in urban exploration involved uncovering locations with occult-like symbols that had historical ties to the Revolutionary War, now under the ownership of the Rockefellers. Discovering fresh candle wax on altars, exploring forts used during the war adorned with symbolic imagery, and stumbling upon forgotten historical monuments ignited my passion for this pursuit.
Finding locations for urban exploration can arise from a variety of sources, often involving a mix of research, urbex community insights, online forums, and personal connections.
This research might include examining historical records, maps, local legends, and urban planning documents to pinpoint abandoned or neglected sites. Sometimes, these locations are sentimental spots known locally that have been closed down. Whether it’s through detailed planning or impromptu discovery, the thrill of uncovering hidden urban treasures motivates explorers like me to delve into and reveal the mysteries of these forsaken places.
3.0 The Mental and Physical Aspects of Urban Exploration
Urbex is an immersive journey that evokes a broad spectrum of emotions and physical sensations for those who embark on these explorations. Stepping into these environments, you’re greeted with a mix of curiosity and a hint of trepidation. The ambiance of forgotten corridors and decaying structures often elicits awe and a deep reverence for the history echoing through their walls. The interplay of light and shadows, along with the ambient sounds, creates a unique atmosphere of solitude and introspection, driving me to capture the captivating stories and historical significance of these spaces and their untold narratives.
Physically, exploring abandoned urban spaces is a multifaceted experience. It demands a heightened awareness of your surroundings and the potential challenges you might face. Your heartbeat may quicken with excitement, and you might feel an indescribable connection to the environment, blending excitement, respect, and a touch of melancholy for the passage of time. The true allure of urban exploration lies not just in the tangible remnants but in the intangible emotions and sensations that accompany the journey into forgotten places. You may find yourself climbing, running, investigating, or even hiding, depending on the situation. It’s crucial to never ignore your instincts, as doing so could not only place you in danger but also risk serious injury.
Understanding the risks involved in these adventures is crucial. Hazards such as exposed live wiring, which can lead to electrocution, flooding, guard presence, and collapsing structures, underline the importance of knowing your surroundings. Equally vital is being aware of your navigation options and emergency exits. Monitoring recent and current weather patterns is essential to avoid complications from floods, rain, or ice, which can significantly impact your ability to move through the area safely.
Staking out a location from a distance can offer significant advantages, allowing you to identify security measures, patrols, and other potential obstacles with just a short observation period.
Being mindful of your surroundings can reveal dangerous conditions, from crumbling cement in key support structures to collapsed ceilings or floors, and even fresh footprints in mud or snow. Embracing both the mental and physical challenges of urban exploration will enhance your experience, helping you to safely enjoy and learn from these environments. These places have stories to tell, and listening carefully can be incredibly rewarding.
4.0 Gear Considerations for Urban Exploration
“Packing and selecting gear for urban exploration should be based on a comprehensive approach to preparedness, readying oneself for a variety of scenarios that might be encountered. Documenting these environments is a passion of mine, so a camera is an indispensable part of my equipment. However, the priority is always safety and ensuring you are equipped to safely navigate these spaces. My essential kit includes a gas mask, not only for protection against hazardous spores but also as a means of concealing my identity when necessary. Carrying a first aid kit is essential, but even more so is having the knowledge and skills to use it effectively in case of an emergency.
Electricity and live wires pose significant hazards, making rubber gloves an essential part of your gear for added protection. Leveraging multipurpose tools can be invaluable not only for interacting with the environment but also for maintaining your gear. It’s important to equip yourself with tools that enhance safety and overcome obstacles, always within the bounds of respecting the spaces you explore.
Carrying a flashlight with a strong beam is crucial for navigating dark environments safely, and a durable, fixed-blade knife can serve numerous utilitarian purposes. For encounters with wildlife, non-lethal deterrents such as pepper spray can provide a means of defense without causing permanent harm.
While it’s critical to prioritize safety, it’s equally important to approach urban exploration with a mindset of minimal impact and respect for the environment and its potential inhabitants.
The unpredictability of these spaces necessitates a careful consideration of all gear, with a focus on self-preservation and ethical exploration practices. Personal comfort items, like a small camper stove for making warm tea, can add a sense of home and warmth to your explorations, underscoring the balance between adventure and personal well-being.
Security is important, and that goes for your identity. For many reasons, Wi-Fi security cameras are common to encounter while exploring abandoned urban environments and a Wi-Fi jammer is a perfect tool to counteract this security measure. Some jammers can be used within a distance between 30 to 100 meters which if often an ideal range. If you’re caught on camera outside of these distances, your visual description is most likely a handful of pixels given the average resolution and quality of these cameras. I use a home built one from components I acquired though eBay sellers, which no longer sell said parts. These components and the jammers themselves can be difficult to legally acquire. However, you can find social media accounts or tutorials online that can teach you how to make your own.
If you’re concerned with your digital signature, a faraday bag should be considered as well. Putting electronics that track your location, such as smart phones, into these types of bags can nullify that risk. Depending on the time of day, how long you’re planning to be there, or how much light is in the environment can all be factors that may impede you. Perceiving IR (Infrared) light from cameras and IR lasers from alarm sensors that are invisible to the naked eye is also a potential concern, I myself bring a pair of military grade night vision goggles just to make sure that neither darkness nor IR is an issue for me on these excursions.
Your kit is something you may have to build over time and it will become more solidified with experience and the insights you expose yourself to.
All this gear can be expensive or even inaccessible to you depending on where you are. This gear is all dependent on the available resources you have and what you are willing to invest into these endeavors. Some gear you may not use during your outing and some you’ll wish you had brought with you. A perfect example would be my concealed firearm and first aid supplies which are items I hope to never use, but I keep on me every outing I go regardless. You must decide what is a priority for you and have a clear understanding of you and your gear’s limitations. I can attest that a lot of my gear has been developed through trial and error.
5.0 An Urban Exploration Encounter
One urbex story I can tell relates to the reason why I decided to purchase my Wi-Fi jammer. One location that I discovered through my urbex travels interested me greatly, and I decided to explore it for the very first time. Being that it was my first exploration of this place, I decided to explore this location during the night on a full moon for security reasons. I made this decision since at night there would be less of a chance of being seen while also having the full capabilities of my night vision enhanced by the moonlight.
While exploring a location under night vision, I keep my chances of detection extremely low compared to someone who might be using flashlights or other traditional illumination.
As I walked along the side of a wall that’s a part of a building within the location, I noticed under night vision that I had become suddenly illuminated. The first thought that came into my head was, “What is lighting me all of a sudden?” I checked the corner of my eye to see my surroundings outside of the night vision goggles.
It was pitch black, meaning that the illumination was not halogen or fluorescent light or any perceivable light to the human eye. This observation immediately told me that it was an IR camera. I turned around to see an IR motion camera in a window on the second floor of the building and it had spotted me. I decided to go back where I came and chose a place to stake out the location for 30 minutes to see if my presence had alerted a response that would require a security vehicle to visit. I was in the clear and luckily the security footage that was likely recorded did not have my identity since it was obstructed by my gaiter and night vison goggles. This experience prompted me to discover ways around Wi-Fi cameras and ultimately led me to the use of Wi-Fi Jammers in my explorations. While this level of precaution might seem excessive, but all of the info I am providing is solely based on my experiences of what I have dealt with in the past and what is commonly expected with urban exploration. All we can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
6.0 Closing
The freedom to explore these abandoned places and discover things that may have been lost for years, is something I will truly never get tired of. Urbex provides a unique blend of discovery and adventure whether undertaken independently or relishing it within a community. I believe if you’re documenting explorations to share with others, or keeping them private, it is important to approach urban exploration with a deep respect for these places so we can safeguard their integrity for future explorations. Stay safe, always keep learning, and happy exploring.
– _.rrico_
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