I have explored alone a couple times, but I don't really recommend it. My girlfriend comes with me on a vast majority of trips here and there as she's into the hobby as well. Although, i have brought friends with me on a few sites, and it was a mess. (Shining flashlights through open windows facing streets, clunking up and down the stairs, talking loudly etc.)

If you haven't read "Access All Areas" by Ninjalicious, I highly recommend it that you do. There's a small chunk in the book that basically tells you about which groups are best and some to try and avoid.

Long story short, from what I've experienced, is to try and keep the party to a minimal, and by saying that, also see to it that they're trustworthy.

"The group can only move as quickly as its slowest member, sneak as quietly as its noisiest member, squeeze through openings as small as its largest member and, often behave as intelligently as its stupidest member."
-Ninjalicious, (pg.15)

"The group can only move as quickly as its slowest member, sneak as quietly as its noisiest member, squeeze through openings as small as its largest member and, often behave as intelligently as its stupidest member."
-Ninjalicious, (pg.15)
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I don't think I could word it any better. It's true and I'm pretty sure we've all been part of these groups

The more people, the more to go wrong, be seen, be heard. So it's not just the weakest link that's the issue.

Stealth is omnipotent.
&
-People are trouble-

Lose the "safety net" and see what you've got

* note fix your format error in the previous post, Nell

Why explorer all together? Like if it's dangerous and has so many hazards! Like why would you do it alone or with people? Like if you seriously want pictures you mis well just use a drone or something so you don't have to jeopardize your personal safety. Just my hypocritical bull shit two sense. PEACE sisters!

Why do people skydive? Why not just push a dummy out of a plane lol.

Posted by smokedguadacheese Why explorer all together?

Because doing it sloppy half ass gets you busted, hurt, perished, or the worst... looking like a recalcitrant n00bie.

Posted by blackhawk * note fix your format error in the previous post, Nell

Yeah I caught it after I had already hit post that I had cleared out too much.

when I was more mobile, I went alone all the time. It was a rare occasion I had someone with me. And when I did, nine times out of ten, it was a bigger hassle than I really needed.

Although, the right group can make a location magical. I remember going with 'Dukes, Skelly, INA and Duff to National Lead years ago and it really was a wonderful afternoon.

Posted by Samurai when I was more mobile, I went alone all the time. It was a rare occasion I had someone with me. And when I did, nine times out of ten, it was a bigger hassle than I really needed. Although, the right group can make a location magical. I remember going with 'Dukes, Skelly, INA and Duff to National Lead years ago and it really was a wonderful afternoon.

NL in NJ?

Posted by blackhawk NL in NJ?

Tahawus NY... it's not there anymore.
it's in the NY part of the database.

Posted by Samurai Tahawus NY... it's not there anymore. it's in the NY part of the database.

That was a cool site. Never got to spend more than a few minutes there.

Posted by blackhawk That was a cool site. Never got to spend more than a few minutes there.

The abandoned one in Jersey is awesome. I went expecting to only shoot with my phone and wound up taking like a hundred photos.


As far as exploring alone goes, I just spent the last week exploring the whole state of NY by myself. I did a full lap around the perimeter and snaked my way through the middle of the state as well. From the shady neighborhoods of several cities to the crumbling messes left in the woods. Sometimes the buildings were small and I was in and out, others were huge and took hours to shoot. I never once felt worried about hellholes or getting robbed because I handled each location differently. Some of the shadier stuff I predawned. The more structurally dangerous stuff I tried to hold off on until daylight, to ensure I wouldn't misstep. The only time I almost went through a floor was actually in a spot where I had met up with a friend, which leads me to believe that overconfidence is the number one cause of error when it comes to exploring. When I was alone I calculated every step. So for me it all depends. As much as I enjoy hanging out with friends I think I prefer to explore by myself.

Posted by EsseXploreR I just spent the last week exploring the whole state of NY by myself.

and you never messaged me... I am so disappointed.

Posted by EsseXploreR The abandoned one in Jersey is awesome. I went expecting to only shoot with my phone and wound up taking like a hundred photos. As far as exploring alone goes, I just spent the last week exploring the whole state of NY by myself. I did a full lap around the perimeter and snaked my way through the middle of the state as well. From the shady neighborhoods of several cities to the crumbling messes left in the woods. Sometimes the buildings were small and I was in and out, others were huge and took hours to shoot. I never once felt worried about hellholes or getting robbed because I handled each location differently. Some of the shadier stuff I predawned. The more structurally dangerous stuff I tried to hold off on until daylight, to ensure I wouldn't misstep. The only time I almost went through a floor was actually in a spot where I had met up with a friend, which leads me to believe that overconfidence is the number one cause of error when it comes to exploring. When I was alone I calculated every step. So for me it all depends. As much as I enjoy hanging out with friends I think I prefer to explore by myself.

Yeah it looked bitchin. I regret not sploring that bad boy. I wuv the post WW2 tech spots.

I couldn't agree with more about exploring alone.
Every step counts. Time of day matters a lot at some sites too as you stated. Predawning for entry, and daybreak to explore. Alone you have maximum stealth.

I never had a situation I couldn't handle or had to call for help. Have had a couple close calls with structural failures though and once walked off a steel stairway that had been cut off.
On that stair having someone with me might have proved lethal; I barely caught myself in time.
People feel safer in groups but this is an illusion I think. Many of the deaths have happened with more than one person; distractions kill.

Beyond that, it's important to be able to be able to function solo competently. You learn by doing.
Many times in life you will be alone. Self sufficiently is a vital skill that can save your life. There's a lot to learn, including the aspect of keeping your head and staying chilly when shit is going to hell.
You learn to manage risks by not taking chances without thinking them through because no one will save you except you.

Posted by Samurai and you never messaged me... I am so disappointed.

It wasn't a slight, I would have loved to hang out with some of the NY folks on here but it just wasn't in the cards. The main point of the trip was to isolate myself as much as possible, so I can get used to the idea of being alone. It's not as sappy as it sounds lol. I had just been living with my ex for so long it has taken a while to get used to the solitude. Now that I'm familiar with it again I'm more open to meeting up with people.


I'll be back before long, next time I'm in the area I'll give ya a shout.

Posted by EsseXploreR As much as I enjoy hanging out with friends I think I prefer to explore by myself.

Gee thanks :p

Posted by mookster Gee thanks :p

Read the first part of the sentence brother! It's always a good time when you're stateside. I very much enjoy the company of a select few. But as far as sketchy places go I'll always prefer to go alone first. Wouldn't want to drag anyone else into trouble if I'm not sure about something.

Posted by EsseXploreR The main point of the trip was to isolate myself as much as possible, so I can get used to the idea of being alone.

the Adirondacks are a good place for that, especially if you are hiking around the Oswegatchie Wilderness Area... you can walk for days and not see anyone.

There was only one time that I was glad I had someone with me... and that was at National Lead in Tahawus NY. I was glad I had Bickle with me as there was someone living in the darkness of one of the old buildings. No shit. lol

I never try to explore alone, but sometimes I find a spot that is just too cool to wait for a day one of my friends are free to explore. Not very scared of going in caves an tunnels alone, since most of the shit I go in is only visited by fellow explorers and centipedes. Bandos are a different story though, you never know who might be hanging out in them. Funny how I feel safer underground than in buildings.

Posted by Spamjam I never try to explore alone, but sometimes I find a spot that is just too cool to wait for a day one of my friends are free to explore. Not very scared of going in caves an tunnels alone, since most of the shit I go in is only visited by fellow explorers and centipedes. Bandos are a different story though, you never know who might be hanging out in them. Funny how I feel safer underground than in buildings.

The thing about underground is outside a few places like the subterranean homeless encampments in Vegas and NYC, you probably won't run into any other people underground because it requires a light source. Abandoned buildings can be lit by sunlight, making them more feasible squats.