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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > When to tell if something is worth it (Viewed 5974 times)
galacticpop 


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When to tell if something is worth it
< on 8/2/2015 8:18 PM >
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Although I've been exploring abandoned houses periodically for a few years I'm still pretty new to the idea that factories and large abandoned businesses are fair game. On my way to class I noticed an abandoned factory that sparked my interest. The realistic side of myself considers it very difficult to get into, especially as a beginner- the main door facing the street is visibly locked and there is a door in the back that may or may be locked. Besides that the only security measure I see is a fence that follows the perimeter of a sort of "back yard" littered with smaller structures. The reason I'm concerned is because the yard and the building are very visible from all sides, and to get to the back door would require walking up stairs. As well as that, the building is in a seedy part of town, so if I can get in, then there's no telling who else would be in there, so it discourages a night mission. The only reason I'm considering it is because there aren't many factories like it where I live and I'm kind of sick of only houses. Would it be worth it to even try? And if I do, how would you suggest I do it?

Here's some pictures off google maps--> http://imgur.com/a/tPRmE




DJ Craig 

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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 1 on 8/2/2015 8:55 PM >
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Without having seen the place, based on what you've said, I'd lean towards doing a night trip. Normally I'd advise just going with just one other person, but depending on how bad this neighborhood is, it might not hurt to have two or three friends - and it doesn't hurt if they're scary-looking!

But my main advice is, don't overthink it! Give it a shot, see if you can find a good entrance! When you get up close and walk around, you're likely to find potential entrances you didn't even notice from a distance.




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KD20 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 2 on 8/2/2015 9:36 PM >
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Posted by DJ Craig

But my main advice is, don't overthink it! Give it a shot, see if you can find a good entrance! When you get up close and walk around, you're likely to find potential entrances you didn't even notice from a distance.


This. It's almost always worth a try if it's intriguing enough for you because you just never know until you get there. On several occasions, I've gone to locations with the goal of just getting outside shots because I didn't think I had a snowball's chance of getting in and ended up finding a viable entry point.




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neiloffthegrid 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 3 on 8/3/2015 6:36 AM >
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I'd second a few trips in the daytime for outside shots. If stopped just say it's for a school project. As an aside, it looks like the ground floor windows seem daily new or at least newly painted. A walk past the place in the daylight might allow you to peek through the windows to make sure the place is really abandoned.




Technomancer 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 4 on 8/3/2015 7:13 AM >
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If you're curious to see what kind of traffic flows through the site, place small strips of tape at gates/doors and see how long they remain undisturbed.




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catdog23 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 5 on 8/3/2015 4:51 PM >
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I'd definitely say 'just do it' because you never know what you'll find, although

place small strips of tape at gates/doors and see how long they remain undisturbed.


That actually seems like a good idea Techno, I'll keep that one in mind!




Beeblebrox 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 6 on 11/11/2015 3:25 AM >
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This loosely applies to the thread topic but recently I found an abandoned middle school of considerable size that looks like it would be a gem to explore. BUT there is a trailer behind the school that houses a 24/7 guard. My friends and I scouted out the place and saw the side of the guard vehicle said "Indiana Department of Transportation". The lights inside the trailer were on but the blinds closed and we didn't see any activity. I assume the guard is there but in a experienced Urbexer's opinion, is it worth the risk? The guard doesn't seem to have full view of the building. What would you suggest? The windows and doors are also boarded up but I think there may be some alternate entrances.




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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 7 on 11/11/2015 3:41 AM >
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If you want to know if hes in there go knock on the door. If he answers, say you are lost and ask for directions somewhere. Ask him what the building is (even though it may be obvious) and play dumb. "Do you watch the building?", "How long has it been abandoned?", "Have you ever been in there?" "Really? Whats it like?" "Any chance I could see it?" With any luck, he/she may let you in on a guided tour! If not at least you got some background information on the place.

Parking a car or a security vehicle in front of a building is a cheap deterrence method by building owners. Most "crimes" are those of opportunity and most people will walk and find another place if they think that someone is around. There is a hospital near where I live and my wife and I joke every time we pass it that the "ghost guard" is on patrol.

Assuming someone is on site, do a stakeout or dive by the place at different times to get an idea of the comings and goings of the occupant. You will eventually get a feel for when the best time to get in will be.




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Beeblebrox 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 8 on 11/11/2015 3:52 AM >
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Thanks so much for the advice! This building was abandoned within a few years ago so I wouldn't be surprised if the guard was actually there. Do you have any advice on entering well-boarded buildings? Thanks again!




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“However,” replied the universe, “The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation.” - Stephen Crane
Peptic Ulcer 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 9 on 11/11/2015 4:01 AM >
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None whatsoever. I never do it. If its buttoned up tight, I wait until someone without a moral compass does the job for me. Removing boarding can damage a building and I just wont do it. If you have less scruples, you should be able to figure it out - its a board. Someone put it up, you gotta be able to remove it. The real head scratcher, is whats BEHIND that board? Glass? Maybe bars? Maybe another board! Unless you know, its best to just wait.

Also, depending on your local laws, removal of boarding could add additional charges or increase the charges if you are caught. Using tools to remove them can also land you in hotter water. Fences, locks, guards - all of em fair game. Damaging property to Urbex is just a bad idea.




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Beeblebrox 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 10 on 11/11/2015 4:12 AM >
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Fair enough. Thanks for the advice!




A man said to the universe:
“Sir, I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe, “The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation.” - Stephen Crane
blackhawk 

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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 11 on 11/11/2015 4:45 AM >
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Posted by galacticpop
Although I've been exploring abandoned houses periodically for a few years I'm still pretty new to the idea that factories and large abandoned businesses are fair game. On my way to class I noticed an abandoned factory that sparked my interest. The realistic side of myself considers it very difficult to get into, especially as a beginner- the main door facing the street is visibly locked and there is a door in the back that may or may be locked. Besides that the only security measure I see is a fence that follows the perimeter of a sort of "back yard" littered with smaller structures. The reason I'm concerned is because the yard and the building are very visible from all sides, and to get to the back door would require walking up stairs. As well as that, the building is in a seedy part of town, so if I can get in, then there's no telling who else would be in there, so it discourages a night mission. The only reason I'm considering it is because there aren't many factories like it where I live and I'm kind of sick of only houses. Would it be worth it to even try? And if I do, how would you suggest I do it?

Here's some pictures off google maps--> http://imgur.com/a/tPRmE


Not a night mission unless you have night vision equipment... you'll end falling into a hellhole or having your light spotted. Go predawn, get in before day break. Don't park too near. Get in and wait for it to get light. Only down side is you might have to wait for dusk or night to leave. I did Bethlehem Steel like that half a dozen times.




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TunnelRunner33 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 12 on 11/11/2015 8:44 AM >
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Once you get inside, stand completely still for a couple minutes and listen. Most abandonments I have been in are pretty quiet on the inside, and people walking around can often be heard from a good distance away.




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SouthPaw 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 13 on 11/12/2015 12:08 AM >
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Posted by TunnelRunner33
Once you get inside, stand completely still for a couple minutes and listen. Most abandonments I have been in are pretty quiet on the inside, and people walking around can often be heard from a good distance away.


Honestly, I had not thought of this, but this is some pretty sound advice.




blackhawk 

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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 14 on 11/12/2015 12:28 AM >
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You can smell a cig a click away...




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Collaro 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 15 on 11/20/2015 9:49 PM >
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I too, have to say that I've experienced such a dilemma. Looking at it, a good way to check? Look through any available windows, and depending on what you can see check if it's worth even a slight look. The pictures you posted show windows that don't appear to be very boarded up, so see for yourself.

Even something as simple as a ceiling fan can be an indicator as to whether or not a location has been gutted. As for architecture? Just look at the outside of the building!

I've been to a building right in the middle of a town next to a busy street, on a plot with three abandons total. there were two empty and trashed ones, yet the third still had 1950's items. Record players, TV's, an old GE fridge, a typewriter, it was essentially a treasure trove. Shame i didn't get more photos before it was wrecked by vandals, but all i did was walk up to it, camera resting in my hand, clearly visible to everyone, and then looked around!




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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 16 on 11/22/2015 9:25 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk


Not a night mission unless you have night vision equipment... you'll end falling into a hellhole or having your light spotted. Go predawn, get in before day break. Don't park too near. Get in and wait for it to get light. Only down side is you might have to wait for dusk or night to leave. I did Bethlehem Steel like that half a dozen times.



Solid plan by Blackhawk. You must be part spec ops haha. I would try and find a little history on the place before entry. My outlook is yes there are a lot of abandoned sites in terms of occupants but it is owned by someone. In my area I would really want to think about and scout an Exxon or BP facility. What was said before take a couple warm up hikes, if it looks promising I'd go for it. Also yes pick a smart not so obvious place to park, one time so far I parked in a dirt lot off a residential road that trailed to an abandoned school house..ended up being a slab with a chimney, I had to do the walk of shame with a sheriffs Tahoe blocking my car.




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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 17 on 11/22/2015 4:38 PM >
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Yeah it's always worth spending an extra few minutes walking if it means your car isn't parked in an obvious place - or looks out of place which can end up in you getting caught. Earlier this year I explored a beautiful mansion in Virginia which stands in the middle of a brand new luxury housing development, the kind of place full of curtain twitchers and residents ready to call the police at the first sign of trouble. We could have parked right outside or on the same street there was nothing stopping us but the battered Toyota Camry that belonged to my friend would have looked very conspicuous in an upmarket neighbourhood. We ended up parking it in the car park of a golf club which was closed because of the snowy weather about a mile and a half away and walking all the way there, and had a fantastic explore.




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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 18 on 11/22/2015 7:33 PM >
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You can smell a cig a click away...


I've given away my presence by smoking in buildings before. Somebody smelled my cigarette from the basement of a building. Luckily it was just another explorer though.




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SuchundFind 


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Re: When to tell if something is worth it
< Reply # 19 on 11/22/2015 9:50 PM >
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Posted by Beeblebrox
The lights inside the trailer were on but the blinds closed and we didn't see any activity.


Have you checked if anything is actually in the inside?
You could go and ask for directions or so.




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > When to tell if something is worth it (Viewed 5974 times)
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