Hey everyone, I'm pretty new here, but I've lurked for a while. I'd like to start doing some exploring around my city, but most of the places I know of are in dangerous parts of town. Do you guys try and avoid places like that or just take a risk and go?

Good rule to follow is to never go alone. It is also helpful to not have you e camera gear and other expensives outside a bag. The less opportunity someone with ill intent sees, the less chance they will act.

I see a handgun debate on the horizon.

I don't want to start arguments, I was just wondering what more experienced explorers did.

When I head to certain parts of Baltimore, I'm always with a group. Safety in numbers. We also don't flash our gear around...most of us have tripods that'll fit in our backpacks so there's no clue to what we're carrying on our backs.

To be honest, I'm often more concerned about my car than I am me or my gear.

Yeah, I agree with you on the car aspect. The place I'd like to go is a housing project that has recently been closed, but it was closed due to the fact that police were refusing to go there anymore. I'm going to fill up the tank in the car and go for a long drive around different areas and see if I can't find some sight in some better areas. It sucks that most interesting places are in bad areas of town.

Posted by SHOoff11 Yeah, I agree with you on the car aspect. The place I'd like to go is a housing project that has recently been closed, but it was closed due to the fact that police were refusing to go there anymore. I'm going to fill up the tank in the car and go for a long drive around different areas and see if I can't find some sight in some better areas. It sucks that most interesting places are in bad areas of town.

Don't know if you're aware of it but you can try Flickr to find some spots. You may even recognize some places from seeing images of them.

I doubt you can ask and successfully get answers but maybe Alabama explorers are more willing to share. Either way, it may be a good way to meet some folks too.

https://www.flickr...groups/693087@N24/

Posted by fiftyone_eggs I see a handgun debate on the horizon.

No debate. Carry if you're going somewhere you think it would be needed.

Be careful no matter where you are. I have found needles and crack pipes in suburbia.

I'd say go for it, just keep your wits about you. If you see someone following you or something seems to be up, don't hesitate to dip.

Since i live in "dangerous part of town" and explore in it, i have some experiences with finding shivering junkies near roof trapdoors and trying to escape from buildings before suspicious people notices me and so on.

Well , on the way to the place which you explore, you must look busy. Then nobody would stop by and ask you for mobile phone, cigarette and so on.

If you meet somebody in place which you are exploring - you should behave like you know that place for ages and that you're not here for the first time. Whatever you do, don't run, you might pay only more attention. Go away calm and confident.

If you are entering endless industrial zones with one way streets, move around with car or bike. It's better than walking.

Good question. A lot depends on you, how you carry yourself, do you look lost, is your body language making you a target, what are wearing, etc. I go to bad parts of town yes, although they only get so bad in Northern California. Nothing like Baltimore over here other than East Oakland or Hunter's Point and I go there with no problems. I'm also 6' and 225lbs and look mean and like I belong. I've never been messed with.

If you're really worried about it, dress for the occasion, such as wear dirty/worn-in clothes, hide your gear in a crappy backpack, leave nothing of value visible in your car or at least nothing that looks valuable. An empty backpack being visible is a bad thing, even though you know its empty, others don't. My car is a bigger concern for me normally. I try to be organized before arriving so that I'm not hiding stuff in my car or opening my trunk where people could see that there is stuff in there that I'm not taking with me. My approach is have everything stashed out of sight except only what you are taking on the explore. That way you arrive, grab your bag, slam the door, lock the car and walk away with completely empty looking vehicle.

-free

Its best to go with a friend like many others have mentioned. But if you do go alone I find the best time to explore sketchy places are very early on a Sunday morning. Around that time most are still in bed sleeping even the evil doers out there.

Don't look like you don't belong. Or, safety in numbers if you can't help it.

Post by mhesterIts best to go with a friend like many others have mentioned. But if you do go alone I find the best time to explore sketchy places are very early on a Sunday morning. Around that time most are still in bed sleeping even the evil doers out there.

That. Also
1. Very early means "Crack of Dawn", you head out from home in the dark.
2. Big holidays i.e. Easter Sunday, Christmas morning, 4th of July etc. are as good as or better than Sunday.
3. As soon an you are inside and out of sight FREEZE, LOOK, LISTEN & WAIT until you are reasonably certain that you're alone, and your eyes have adjusted to any low-light situation.

This is a major part of the absolute fun that is UE

Just wanted to drop in and say thanks to everyone for the good advice, even though I didn't post this thread (obviously). I'm still feeling out my own comfort levels about this kind of thing and my partner and I have skipped over some stuff because we were too uneasy about things. I'm also not 6' 225 lbs and mean looking, try though I might

Eh, it all depends. I've been to Baltimore, that was a little sketchy. Really the only time I ever felt uncomfortable. I work/explore in Newark, Irvington, and the oranges. Nobody ever bothers me. I also hang out in Philly a lot. I've had one person run after my camera, and one person get shot in front if me. Both times we just sped up and got the hell out of the area. Just act like you belong and nobody will bother you.

I always try to remember that in most cases, I can leave and come back another time. There is nothing wrong with pulling out if things seem unsafe. I realize this may not seem as much of an option if you have traveled for hours or have assembled a group together specifically for this location, so sometimes you have to just do a little risk management and decide if it is worth it.

I generally explore alone in the city where I live, so pulling out doesn't really inconvenience me much. When it happens, I just go on kind of a walkabout around the area and scout for other potential locations. Many of the current points of interest on my list are from walkabouts conducted after finding my intended location too secure or inaccessible.

As long as it's not too hot or cold, my buddy usually brings his dog with us to watch the car. We park close enough that we could hear him having a fit if anyone tried to fuck with the truck, in which case we are armed. Never had a problem, though, even in Detroits worst neighborhoods.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone, I really appreciate it! I'm hoping to find some more explorers in the area so I can do more of this sort of thing. I'll also check out flicker as mentioned previously to try to find some new locations!