^ I would of went for the ladder I like the glow stick idea I need to get some.

Posted by Therrin We have a pretty awesome inside-group of mine explorers spread across several states who will drop EVERYTHING at any time of the day or night, to go try to assist a mine explorer in trouble, even in another state. Having that kind of assistance at your back both helps your explorations to be a bit more bold both solo and in group settings, and it really gives you some mental comfort, knowing that if all hell breaks lose, there's a whole team of people who're going to come together to assist your safe exit from the mine; instead of dying alone and in pain in the dark.

Yeah, it does feel good to know that some serious explorers have your back. If I were to go "missing", I have a pretty good idea of the faces I would see when I was rescued. It also helps that a lot of us are familiar with many of these old mines. Knowing the general layout, alternate paths through the mine, and some of the "hidden" areas could make a big difference when time is critical.

Heck, I was going to drive out to Death Valley when your truck got stuck and the wrecker wouldn't come out. Fortunately the Jeep club came by before I got loaded up and headed out. I have no doubt you would do the same for me.

Abby Normal

Posted by Abby Normal Heck, I was going to drive out to Death Valley when your truck got stuck and the wrecker wouldn't come out. Fortunately the Jeep club came by before I got loaded up and headed out. I have no doubt you would do the same for me. Abby Normal

Oh that's right, you were just about to get on the road to go pull me out. That was a crazy day.

I certainly would do the same!

Posted by Evilbunny ^ I would of went for the ladder I like the glow stick idea I need to get some.

The ladder had slid over out of reach and was on loose rocks and wood pieces. If I fell from there I likely would have broken some bones. Considering that we had to rappel into the mine, I wasn't really interested in breaking any bones. Best to just sit, and wait....


That's actually a good point. If you know someone's coming for you, don't to anything stupid that can make your situation worse.

Scheduling conflicts and lack of interest inhibit my trips a lot, but as a small teenager, I don't quite have the balls nor the stature to take on most of the areas by myself (particularly sketchy Atlanta areas).

Posted by billmclaugh I prefer exploring alone, despite the inherent risks. There's also a contemplative element to wandering about an old building without diversions and dialogue.

Perfectly said.

I try to have at least one person with me if I'm somewhere I'm not familiar with, just to be safe. Especially when going underground. you might have a phone, but do you trust your service underground with your life?

Posted by Oelky Scheduling conflicts and lack of interest inhibit my trips a lot, but as a small teenager, I don't quite have the balls nor the stature to take on most of the areas by myself (particularly sketchy Atlanta areas).

Plus looking like a kid can get you out of some risky situations when it comes to the police, since it'll look less likely that you're doing something malicious. UNLESS you travel with too many people, then it's assumed you're like a gang. So I guess you've gotta find balance between security and suspicion...

Posted by Meriwether Plus looking like a kid can get you out of some risky situations when it comes to the police, since it'll look less likely that you're doing something malicious. UNLESS you travel with too many people, then it's assumed you're like a gang. So I guess you've gotta find balance between security and suspicion...

+1 Works for me quite a bit.

I'm a solo explorer now

Almost always alone - the only exception was in the past with my then-fiancée.

I only recently started bringing a camera, actually. I'm not big on photography; I only take pix nowadays as personal mementos. (I only post them here, if at all)

There's something "zen" about exploring abandonments alone.

That's not to say I wouldn't go with anyone else, however. But it certainly isn't something I miss or yearn for.

I've explored by myself once and it was pretty cool and mostly relaxing, at least until I heard the sirens that started "the incident". Thank goodness I managed to get in touch with Adv.Pack, who helped me out because I seriously thought that I was trapped in the place.

My 3 other explores were with at least one other person and I felt almost completely relaxed.

So far, I like exploring with at least one other person so I have someone to talk to and ask questions that are related to whatever we're exploring. However, I know that I won't always be able to explore with someone else, so I want to try another solo explore soon.

Posted by Oelky Scheduling conflicts and lack of interest inhibit my trips a lot, but as a small teenager, I don't quite have the balls nor the stature to take on most of the areas by myself (particularly sketchy Atlanta areas).

What do you mean by a "small" teenager? Like, 4' tall & 80lbs?

It says you're female, so you may never actually have the balls for such things.


However, there are a lot of awesome UE girls who have the "vag" to go out and do all those niffty/cool/awesome things when they're solo. You should think about that.


You could always carry bear mace. Or bust a cap on motherfuckers who look sideways at you.

Posted by Therrin What do you mean by a "small" teenager? Like, 4' tall & 80lbs? It says you're female, so you may never actually have the balls for such things. However, there are a lot of awesome UE girls who have the "vag" to go out and do all those niffty/cool/awesome things when they're solo. You should think about that. You could always carry bear mace. Or bust a cap on motherfuckers who look sideways at you.

Best post in this thread. Anyways I got up at 4 am and started walking down the street a car maybe every 3 minutes on our busiest street only gang members and homeless people I would never do that again alone but I tried it so I have a feeling abandonments would be worse.

Posted by Evilbunny Best post in this thread. Anyways I got up at 4 am and started walking down the street a car maybe every 3 minutes on our busiest street only gang members and homeless people I would never do that again alone but I tried it so I have a feeling abandonments would be worse.

I'm just trying to tell her like, don't limit yourself.

I mean, don't get raped, but don't limit yourself either.



Carry a gun AND bear mace. If they're just harassing you, mace the fuckers.

If you think yer gonna get raped, KILL the motherfuckers.


I can't really say I know what this is like, I'm 6'7" and people don't really try to rape me on a regular basis. but I'm trying to extrapolate and give appropriate advice.

I don't even know what it's like only being able to SEE things from that far down.

Posted by Therrin Carry a gun AND bear mace. If they're just harassing you, mace the fuckers.

Or just bring Bear Repellent.

Posted by Therrin I'm just trying to tell her like, don't limit yourself. I mean, don't get raped, but don't limit yourself either. Carry a gun AND bear mace. If they're just harassing you, mace the fuckers. If you think yer gonna get raped, KILL the motherfuckers. I can't really say I know what this is like, I'm 6'7" and people don't really try to rape me on a regular basis. but I'm trying to extrapolate and give appropriate advice. I don't even know what it's like only being able to SEE things from that far down.

That about the only advice you can give but holy crap your tall.

Posted by bornmilitia Or just bring Bear Repellent.

Is bear repellent different than bear mace?

Does it repel humans too?

Is it like mosquito repellant? Do you spray it on yourself first, and then bears stay away from you?

What good is spraying bear repellant on yourself if someone who is not a bear is trying to rape you?

It's the same as mace/pepper spray, basically, only stronger. (and probably easier to buy?) I've got some. I've also had a bear hibernate on my property last winter. haha

[Edit] Now that I think about it, his den is probably the last abandonment I've explored. LOL

On one hand I go out alone all the time, and I like to scout stuff alone as well during the day. I think it draws a lot less attention to me, and I have more time to do exactly what I want.
On the other hand if it's somewhere with a lot of security, its nice to have someone to watch where I can't, and to have my back. Once I get a feel for the place though, I don't have much problem going back.
I like to think my small stature is an advantage, I can stay hidden really well, and disappear into anything, easy to climb, and pull my self up. I'm not worried about running into creepy places/people, I'm probably the creepiest person around there anyways. Security scares me. Commissioners. Cops. ahhhh

Nothing quite as awesome as an honest girl.