Posted by Dee Ashley What region are you located in Texas? If you're in or near the DFW area, perhaps we could work on this.

I am a couple of hours +/- South of Houston, so a little far of a drive to Dallas.


Pretty sure I am the only explorer in my area. It's mine, all mine!!!! Mwahahahahahaha.

ive always had to explore alone since no one i know shares my enthusiasm for exploration, im pretty mixed about it. some places exploring alone is good, but exploring large completely dark buildings like abandoned hotels, jails and hospitals have inherent risks.

ive had some risky times. if you can find someone patient who enjoys it like you do, it wouldnt hurt to take them i guess

Posted by Aran I don't think that's the case where homeless people are involved, because you are essentially walking into their home. To me, at least, it's a good idea to offer them the courtesy of announcing your presence in order to avoid confrontation. In addition, they may have information on potential hazards or points of interest that you don't have. I myself prefer to cautiously make contact and give people the benefit of the doubt, but I explore in urban environments, where I don't have to run far in order to reach a public place or draw a bystander's attention if necessary. In a rural environment or other situation where help far away, my approach would probably change. Blackhawk, I get the impression that you explore fairly secluded locations, not the kind of stuff near main roads and city centers. In those cases, your approach probably has more merit, since it would be unusual for your average homeless person to live far away from the city or the bus lines. So, like everything in urban exploration, I suppose we'll have to leave the question of contact to personal preference and situational analysis.

If squatters are present I stay the hell out their home. Many times they have more of a legal right to be there than you.
The weakest possible thing to say to an intruder is: "Is there anybody there?" Same is true if you're in a silent abandoned building. Don't project your fear by asking if someone is there if nobody should be.
At least wait until you see them or know they're there to say something.

I've done street shooting were there are hundreds of people. It's were there are few or no other people in the immediate area that the risks are greater.
There are many variations though. I've seen wolf packs threading their way through crowds; spotting and completely avoiding them is best. I've also had 4 Asian bangers come up to me while shooting at a carnival not to cause trouble but to my surprise do a line pose. It was a great shot.

I've dealt with a couple wannabe muggers as well in the last couple years.
What you do and say at the get go determines the outcome.
Being friendly doesn't work well at all with them. The faster you recognize them the better and many times it's when they within 20 feet or less.
Avoiding contact is the best outcome otherwise especially the closer the are, the more blunt and assertive I get with them.
"Get out of here" to "Get the fuck out of my face"... it's like that.
Five feet away from my open van door twice in the last 2 years after blindsiding me in parking lots. And I'm careful when walking up to my ride; they move fast sometimes.
"Get the fuck out of here, now" is their last warning. They either leave or make their move... both times they left.

In both of those incidents it was in the afternoon in parking lots with people within 50-100 feet. Two others times it was night with people as close as 30 odd feet away although inside stores.
Don't expect to be saved by someone else... that is rationalizing and incongruent to what the likely reality will be if you're mugged.

I always have at least one buddy with me, but a group of five or six is what I prefer. Of course it also depends on where I am exploring. Only having one or two people with me to check out an abandoned house nearby isn't going to be as much of a problem opposed to exploring a haunted hospital.

i mostly explore alone and usually at night...i like the spooky vibes better lol i would go with people but so far all my friends think im nuts haha have not met people with the same interests yet

Posted by bobbyl16 i mostly explore alone and usually at night...i like the spooky vibes better lol i would go with people but so far all my friends think im nuts haha have not met people with the same interests yet

Welcome to UER

Unless the site is a drain, a bunker, etc exploring with limited ambient light is more dangerous and some sites are extremely dangerous even with good light.
Worse people can tag you by any light you use.
Nothing spooky about falls, they're bloody nasty.
Falls are UEers #1 hazard.

Predawn it if you need cover to get in... live to explore another day.

good advice...i usually explore in 2 stages once in the day too verify safety and a way in, then at night for the place itself...i find that these places talk more at night then during the day

yea and the cover of darkness helps ..pre dawn might be a good idea

Posted by bobbyl16 yea and the cover of darkness helps ..pre dawn might be a good idea

If you're alone preventing injuries is a priority.
I strongly believe in self sufficiency; they only way you learn it is by doing. Exploring alone is fun and teaches you valuable skills.

A lot can go wrong in the darkness even if you move slow. An open manhole cover in the grass can really ruin your night.
Best to scout out the perimeter in daylight first.
Many sites however are accessible in daylight without much worries.

yea i am slowly finding locations and like you say i always scout in the day first

I've only explored with other people once. I always go alone. I don't really know how I cope, I just lose myself in my explore. And I think part of my joy is in getting the chills and creeper out.

Posted by reddevil7312 I've only explored with other people once. I always go alone. I don't really know how I cope, I just lose myself in my explore. And I think part of my joy is in getting the chills and creeper out.

yea 100% agree with that

I've only explored alone. Haven't met anyone yet. My first couple of spots were places I found out about from taggers - because that's what I was looking for... hidden art galleries. That being said, i find that my photos suffer when I'm alone because my senses are so heightened that I can't properly focus on my camera settings. Usually takes me going to a spot a couple of times to get the shots that I want.

When I find a new place, I often scout a place alone to be more slick

Alone the vast majority of the time here, whether it's a massive abandoned mine or just a small derelict home. If I know the trip will be uniquely dangerous, like a mine or cave system, or if I know there won't be cellular coverage, I send my closest friends detailed directions and coordinates to the spot in case I don't return.

I prefer exploring alone as it allows me to take as much time as I want getting particular shots, rooting around for documentation/newspapers/mail (one of the easier ways to determine the date of abandonment), it allows me to minimize the amount of noise that I'm making and reduce my chances of being spotted, and I can focus more on watching my own step rather than watching somebody else's. I also believe it's easier to reason with property owners or security when caught if you're alone. Having somebody with you is not only more intimidating to security if they are patrolling alone but it may also plant the idea in their mind that you're looting and need help carrying heavier parts (copper, tools, mining equipment, appliances, furniture etc).

I typically only bring others to sites that I've already explored alone, after I've had some time to identify the particular risks of that location.

I typically explore in a group of 2 to 3 although wouldnt rule out going alone depending on the location. I just enjoy being with a group more than going alone. Not so much the issue of it seeming creepier because I'm alone.

I almost always explore alone, usually due to a lack of other explorers in my area. Given that, I usually err on the side of caution, knowing that it will be at least a few days before anyone reports me missing should something happen.

That said, I have asked friends to call 911 if I don't contact them within a few hours if I'm going someplace unusually worrisome. It's a reassuring form a a dead man's switch, especially because the location in question looked fairly prone to structural collapse.

Posted by Aran I almost always explore alone, usually due to a lack of other explorers in my area. Given that, I usually err on the side of caution, knowing that it will be at least a few days before anyone reports me missing should something happen. That said, I have asked friends to call 911 if I don't contact them within a few hours if I'm going someplace unusually worrisome. It's a reassuring form a a dead man's switch, especially because the location in question looked fairly prone to structural collapse.

A couple hours will be too late. If you haven't crawled out on your bloody stumps by then, you'll need the coroner. Worse you end up sounding a false alarm when you simply had to elude and evade, and/or walk an extra 10 miles... it happens.
Let them know where you're going.

I never place time limits. I'm back when I'm back. You need to take 100% responsibility for your actions. You screw up bad enough, no one can save you. Save yourself. Learn to be self reliant, know your limits and never exceed them in the field. It takes a lot to fully incapacitate yourself; don't.
Anything else is a folly that probably won't save you and will eventually put you in the hurt locker.

Posted by blackhawk A couple hours will be too late. If you haven't crawled out on your bloody stumps by then, you'll need the coroner. Worse you end up sounding a false alarm when you simply had to elude and evade, and/or walk an extra 10 miles... it happens. Let them know where you're going. I never place time limits. I'm back when I'm back. You need to take 100% responsibility for your actions. You screw up bad enough, no one can save you. Save yourself. Learn to be self reliant, know your limits and never exceed them in the field. It takes a lot to fully incapacitate yourself; don't. Anything else is a folly that probably won't save you and will eventually put you in the hurt locker.

I'm aware of all that, it just helps to let someone know where you are going and when you are going to be back if you can. Naturally, exploring alone means that whatever happens is my responsibility and my responsibility alone. However, having a fail safe of some kind usually doesn't hurt.

A lot of my mentality comes from a childhood spent camping and outdoors. Since the "Buddy System" is not an option here, I tend to fall back on leaving a "trail" of sorts so that someone can find you if things go wrong.

That said, I use this kind of tactic sparingly. In fact, I think I've only used it once, since the location in question was fairly out of the way, very run down, and miles away from where anyone would think to look for me.

I always carry a cell phone when exploring, just in case I need to call someone (plus, it's a backup camera if my camera batteries run out, albeit a poor one). I make sure it's fully charged as well, and it usually stays someplace secure and accessible on my person at all times.

While I believe in self sufficiency while exploring, I also believe that it's better to prepare as much as possible and err on the side of caution, just in case.

Posted by Aran I'm aware of all that, it just helps to let someone know where you are going and when you are going to be back if you can. Naturally, exploring alone means that whatever happens is my responsibility and my responsibility alone. However, having a fail safe of some kind usually doesn't hurt. A lot of my mentality comes from a childhood spent camping and outdoors. Since the "Buddy System" is not an option here, I tend to fall back on leaving a "trail" of sorts so that someone can find you if things go wrong. That said, I use this kind of tactic sparingly. In fact, I think I've only used it once, since the location in question was fairly out of the way, very run down, and miles away from where anyone would think to look for me. I always carry a cell phone when exploring, just in case I need to call someone (plus, it's a backup camera if my camera batteries run out, albeit a poor one). I make sure it's fully charged as well, and it usually stays someplace secure and accessible on my person at all times. While I believe in self sufficiency while exploring, I also believe that it's better to prepare as much as possible and err on the side of caution, just in case.

Most times I say nothing to no one.
Only in the last 6 years did I start carrying a cell phone. When I was a kid I deliberately never told anyone because I wasn't supposed to be there!

Instead of thinking you have a backup when you really don't, embrace the totality that only you can save you.
Sometimes you will have only milliseconds to make and execute the right decision; live or die. No time to make a call, send a text, do a Web search, or second guess yourself.
I've been next to death a few times...
I just don't feel the urgency some do to have a "safety net". I've found that most times they are illusions when the shit comes down... but how you think and what you do or don't do, count.


Lol, secret missions -are- more fun.