I came across this article, what do you guys think?

http://petapixel.c...e-run-authorities/

Besides the threat of being arrested (or even being arrested!), what threats have you guys gotten as explorers and photographers?

That's what happens when you enter in a "half-abandoned" facility. Sometimes urban explorers go further than they should, thinking they're untouchable. It's true (at least in most parts of Europe) that they can't do nothing against you if the place is actually abandoned, but this case was different.

I understand. It's weird because I think the idea of urban exploring and what buildings are okay to explore vary from person to person.

Half-abandoned = not abandoned.

He dun goofed.

I remember actually exploring a half abandoned structure by accident. We went into an obviously abandoned building which was right next to a business. 15 minutes into the explore I came across a steel door leading to the business. Right next to the door was a security camera. Needless to say we made our way out quickly.

Posted by JKuhnss I remember actually exploring a half abandoned structure by accident. We went into an obviously abandoned building which was right next to a business. 15 minutes into the explore I came across a steel door leading to the business. Right next to the door was a security camera. Needless to say we made our way out quickly.

Sounds like it's a common mistake. It's like there are abandoned homes on properties that are very much owned by another property nearby that's up and active. It's easy to think something is completely abandoned when it's not.

The only threats I make are towards other explorers who wear gas-masks and use the term "URBEX"

he called local police and gave us the following warning and we had to sign some document : If we get caught again in France in a place we shouldn't be the next three years, we get a fine around 15.000 euro and possibly 1 year cell..

Looks like he agreed to the terms. Why the hell did he sign anything? A 15,000 dollar fine? For what? Breaking the Exploring-partially-abandoned-factories law? Give me a frigging break. He shouldn't have signed anything.

This is all types of fail.

First off, "Partially Abandoned" means youre instantly gonna get a bigger more serious charge. At least, that's how it works here in Ontario. It's the same way with "Abandoned" buildings with security out the ass (Mainly provincial owned buildings are like this).

Second, the comments on that article make me laugh. They act all high-and-mighty over some stupid person trespassing. "It's the LAW. How dare they think they're above the LAW." Like oh, give me a break. We do tons of things that are against the law as humans. It doesn't make us bad people (depending on the "crime" of course.)

Third, I find it odd that they'd say "Okay we almost charged you a ton of money and ALMOST put you in jail... But instead, just stay out of "abandoned" things for 3 years and we'll drop the entire thing.

"Abandoned" is a magic word among urban explorers, but in most places it has zero legal meaning. It is a fiction, a very misleading one; like all magic, it is ultimately a perceptual delusion. We would all be better off if hobbyists would stop using it as if it has meaning or offers license.

The comments in this thread are a good exhibit of why you all should stop talking about places being "abandoned".