Posted by Astro Ranks are for people who like accolades and need self affirmation, unless there's an organization that needs that kind of structure. Exploring isn't like that. This isn't a contest.

well said.
what is the reason that people pursue this interest? Curiosity. Well, curiosity tempered with a dash of the artistic (as some of the photography will attest to). This is not a videogame. There are no points systems anywhere. You pursue something like this to satisfy curiosity, nothing more.

I have always chafed at the term 'explorer'. Honestly, none of us are Magellan. We're not technically exploring anything. I liken this interest to an abbreviated period archeology seasoned with a dash of the arts. The photos document and preserve that which has been thrown away or forgotten. There are no points just the admiration of your peers for a stunning photoset or interesting location that will most likely be lost to time.

Posted by Trackrunner Pretty much are two ranks: normal, and dedicated. A lot of people will want to do an explore if say, their friends are doing it, but not a lot of people really get into exploring and make it a hobby.

I agree with that. I'm friends with a few people who don't have the time or dedication it takes to spend days doing recon and research on new places, so I'm glad to help them out when they have the chance to get out to explore some great spots.

The culture has shifted heavily lately in Detroit though. Some people are trying to turn the hobby into a competition. Always trying to one up the next guy and if they figure out a great new spot someone goes, they leak the information out to EVERYONE. This just happened to my friend and I with a couple churches we found. It always seems to be the ones who rely on other peoples work that get the most upset about the dedication and ambition of others. Sad really.

Latte-drinking downtown elite, bitch.

Posted by Ansion If you dress like a marine or ninja & carry more equipment than a simple camera, flashlight, and beer, your rank is lower than mine. That's all I know.

What if you are both a marine and a ninja, where do you fall then?

Posted by wranglerroadhead What if you are both a marine and a ninja, where do you fall then?

Then you should be out battling the forces of evil, rather than wandering around with steel wool in some storm drain somewhere.

Posted by Trackrunner Some people are trying to turn the hobby into a competition.

Been that way for ages - have you seen any of the flashlight threads here? *shudders*

Posted by Samurai There are no points systems anywhere.

I give points for tasteful nudity.

I am bear grylls of urbex

Posted by GLP. I am bear grylls of urbex

<Obligatory piss drinking joke>

Posted by GLP. I am bear grylls of urbex

Who?

Posted by GLP. I am bear grylls of urbex

Bear is a fucking jack ass

You're not cool until you reach the rank of 'MSP Elite.'

I have a little experience, but I think I'll always consider myself a noob because I feel that no matter how many places I'll explore and how many years I spend exploring, I'll always be learning things and putting those lessons to use.

a seasoned noob with cat like reflexes.

It's a lot easier to rank yourself when you're given options, unless you're just trying to determine who is arrogant and who is modest lolz. That being said I'd call myself a level above noob, but that's about it.

I just explore shit. Who cares for "rank" as long as you find it fulfilling and do it for yourself?

The main goal of exploring for me is to:

1) Satisfy my endless curiosity;

2) Take pictures and improve myself as the amateur photographer that I am;

3) Have fun with friends;

4) Go to places not a lot people go to;

5) Get naked.

I guess we're all n00bs according to somebody else's standards.
And I don't give a flying fuck. I love what I'm doing and I don't feel the need to 'prove' myself to anyone here.

With that said, happy exploring everyone!

I usually play on the intermediate card playing disc golf....

You are whatever you believe yourself to be, and mores what you act as.

We're a bunch of men and women that wonder around abandoned places at our own peril. We're not Jacques Cartier, Even if we dress in similar fashion.

I am the pro-iest bestest explorer in all the exploring land.