Nine times out of ten, I explore with a friend (never more than one other person, though, I absolutely HATE exploring in packs). But every once in a while I'll be walking down the street and find something that looks interesting, or plans will change, and I'll just go for it on my own.

Two days ago, though, I explored an old power station by myself. I got scared shitless at one point because I was climbing around the rusty catwalks and ladders on the ceiling, and I literally started talking to myself. "This ladder looks unstable. Should we turn back?" "No, we're good. Look, you can just step here. Are you really gonna wimp out on me now?" "It's not wimping out if I'm saving us from a fatal accident." "Oh, calm yourself."

It sounds weird but it helped me get my head on straight so I could decide on the safest route back down.

I'm surprised about how many people explore alone- I didn't expect that!

The places I've been have been pretty high-traffic and I'm fairly new to exploring, so I've almost always gone with friends. I've never gotten spooked or creeped out by a place, I've just been playing it safe.

This week I started scoping out some abandoned barns and silos alone, since I'm surrounded by them. I stopped by the firearms shop across the street from a silo to ask a few questions about the owner and to see if the shop owner thought they'd mind me taking pictures. He said if anyone bothered me, I could pretend to be his granddaughter. He even told me about an abandoned barn down the street. I felt safe as shit that day.

Well I'm 16 and just about to get my license so I don't drive and I don't live near abandonment me so I tend to have someone with me because they're my ride. But I have my own car and am getting my license soon, so I'm trying to recruit friends so I have a buddy.

Posted by glossolalia Two days ago, though, I explored an old power station by myself. I got scared shitless at one point because I was climbing around the rusty catwalks and ladders on the ceiling, and I literally started talking to myself. "This ladder looks unstable. Should we turn back?" "No, we're good. Look, you can just step here. Are you really gonna wimp out on me now?" "It's not wimping out if I'm saving us from a fatal accident." "Oh, calm yourself." It sounds weird but it helped me get my head on straight so I could decide on the safest route back down.

bwahahahahaha, I do that too sometimes.

"is this going to move if I step on it?" "yes, yes it is" "what about this?" "oh, that one's good" "will this hold my weight?" "hmm, no, I don't think it will"

Posted by Therrin bwahahahahaha, I do that too sometimes. "is this going to move if I step on it?" "yes, yes it is" "what about this?" "oh, that one's good" "will this hold my weight?" "hmm, no, I don't think it will"

Same here - hmmm should we go upstairs, nah - but wait theres gotta be something cool up there, *goes upstairs.* Oh god there goes a stair. well i mean we're up here might as well proceed, oh go there goes a floorboard - LEts get out.

When you talk to yourself you get all the answers you want.

I'm pretty lucky, as my wife is as into urbexing as I am. I'm not spooked by much, but being completely alone in an abandoned mental ward would either cut the trip a bit short, or leave me a bit rattled. We do a great job keeping each other sane ("No, floor's kinda rotten here"). It's also nice having someone to take turns holding the flashlight and know someone could run for help or toss a rope or something. Plus, we get to compare photos after.
Things I'd be nervous of with going alone: Looking creepy and alone, not having a coherent story, snapping my ankle, not having a person in some photos (for scale).

I used to go exploring alone all the time- there's a bit more magic about these places if your'e not in a group who won't shut up. Plus you're free to go wherever you like without having to have a small chat at every fork in the road

But lately I've found it's generally more fun in a group so the choice really comes down to why you go these places.

Im probably a 50/50 split. Generally i like going with 1 or 2 people to alot of my places. But there are a few places i prefer to just go alone and enjoy the day to myself.

Posted by Compton Ass Kenny Well I'm 16 and just about to get my license so I don't drive and I don't live near abandonment me so I tend to have someone with me because they're my ride. But I have my own car and am getting my license soon, so I'm trying to recruit friends so I have a buddy.

16 here too. Used to do most of my urbex in IL with an 18 y/o friend and we'd take turns driving about an hour out (lived in the middle of nowhere). I moved away through and now I've got no one to do urbex with. Debating whether to wait it out for a new partner or start trying to go alone.

A lot of people hold me back, say they'll come explore with me but bail out at the last minute. And so I've adapted myself in exploring alone, which honestly seems more challenging, stressful and still somewhat fun.

Now it's come to a point that I pull out if someone crashes my solo parties.
Nothing better than exploring alone. You can run around the site naked, sing guilty pleasure songs, what have you.

Posted by Valkyre A lot of people hold me back, say they'll come explore with me but bail out at the last minute. And so I've adapted myself in exploring alone...

I know that feels. Haha, it happens to me quite often. It became such a nuisance that I'd just rather go alone, especially if I think they'll slow me down on a new place. Typically, I don't mind taking people to places I know really well and I can kind of "size-up" how they'd handle other, more intriguing adventures.

Posted by lostfox I know that feels. Haha, it happens to me quite often. It became such a nuisance that I'd just rather go alone, especially if I think they'll slow me down on a new place. Typically, I don't mind taking people to places I know really well and I can kind of "size-up" how they'd handle other, more intriguing adventures.

Spot on.
Apart from that fact, some of the worst mistakes I've made is take friends that aren't really explorers. What ends up happening is they bring spray cans with them / steal things from the site / set papers on fire if present / break things / or sometimes they'd even speak at the top of their lungs. (because they think we probably won't get caught)

Solo is the fun way.

I did my latest discovery alone. Not knowing what the building would contain I didn't want to bring anyone for the risk of disappointing them. I was expecting nothing more than an empty hall actually. Still I literally had some sleepless nights because of the curiosity (I know, it's insane to be so nervous over old abandoned shit ), so one sleepless morning I decided to grab my camera and go.

There I went with the 'now or never' in mind, in the most crowded place of town in full sight of a police station, over a fence, across a tiny catwalk high above the sea, under a fence while bridging over a gap that leads directly to the knee-deep sea, another catwalk with human size holes rusted in. Then I walked inside and my jaw dropped... everything was still in place since the 60's. Once it was some sort of horror house, but without a doubt it is way scarier now. Pitch black inside and not knowing what deep-sea monster I'd bump into next, I did a quick adrenaline-fueled round and got the hell out of there.

Probably the most dangerously stupid thing I have ever done, but I felt so victorious afterwards. I've gone back with friends for a couple of times and it was a lot less scary then. When I told them that I went in alone the first time they called me insane, both because of the creepiness and the life-threatening state of the place.



So my point is, don't go alone if you don't know what to expect. No one knew I was there and things could have gone horribly wrong if I had fallen into the shallow water. Most places aren't so dangerous though, and exploring them alone can be a great thrill! At least bring a phone, and some bandages in case you rip yourself open.

Btw, these are the pictures of that trip:
http://www.uer.ca/...rrpage=1&pp#post13

I really think that 2-3 is the best compromise. You get the safety of another person, and the verification that yes, you did hear something.

I go out alone every now and then when I want to take in a location and not have to deal with other peoples "wonder". I carry an EPIRB that the Coast Guard gave me and is still registered. It works off GPS or radio honing so if you don't have a clear view of the sky you aren't screwed. That and well, I'm cautious when I'm out alone. If it looks like I'm going to get into trouble I wait until I have a buddy to go in first

http://www.landfal...acrsatellite3.html

I haven't explored with anyone in 2 years, mainly because there is not that big of a scene up here. I do enjoy exploring by myself, I find that I get annoyed with folks who spend 10 minutes on a hallway shot and bitch if someone wants to explore ahead.

Exploring alone is also fun when you run into teenagers. Before Pilgrim's latest demolition, I totally freaked out these kids skipping school.

I feel safer alone but more ballsy with one other person.


I feel more peaceful alone but have more fun with others.


It is what it is.

Posted by Supaiku 16 here too. Used to do most of my urbex in IL with an 18 y/o friend and we'd take turns driving about an hour out (lived in the middle of nowhere). I moved away through and now I've got no one to do urbex with. Debating whether to wait it out for a new partner or start trying to go alone.

Well it's usually safer with a partner, but if you really don't feel safe, you probably shouldn't go because you'll be too nervous to enjoy it. Its always safer when you have a car to run to, to make a quick getaway.


If you want to prepare yourself before going alone you can refer to this. http://www.uer.ca/...urrpage=1&pp#post0

I do a lot of draining by myself. Very peaceful.

i guess 60-70% i explore alone, sometimes i'll get another buddy or two to come along, but i notice most of my friends don't have the same enthusiasm for advenchuring.

all sad faces aside, it's pretty nice and relaxing going alone.