...But it ended up being a pretty good year to be an explorer. Around this time last year, I posted a year-end summary thread, in which I lamented my comparative lack of any major exploring accomplishments. Well, I really can't have any such complaints this year, because it has been, by far, my most productive year in this hobby. In the last twelve months, I've found and lost some of my all-time favorite locations, upgraded my photographic tools to finally allow me to take the pictures I want to take, and built a body of work that I am quite proud of.

I wasn't able to make it to visit quite as many locations as some of you (immensely lucky and awesome)folks, so I've generally chosen two or three photos to represent each outing, posted chronologically. I've received a lot of kind words and good advice from many people here throughout the year, and you all have my thanks.





More than any other reason, my first trip to this well-known institution really rekindled my desire to get back into proper exploring, beyond the roadside photography I'd been focusing on. I'd revisit it twice after this first trip, but the heavy snowfall that first time really made it intoxicating - despite what happened to my car on the way there.

1.)


2.)


The next trip:
3.)


4.)


Starting in late April, I had a ten-week streak, during which I found myself exploring every weekend:

5.)


6.)


7.)


8.)


9.)


10.)


11.)


12.)


13.)


14.)


15.)


16.)


17.)


18.)


19.)


I had to stop by here again this year. This gets the prize for being the most difficult entry I've done all year.
20.)


21.)


22.)


23.)


24.)


Yes, again:
25.)


26.)


27.)


28.)


29.)


30.)


31.)


32.)


I went home for a visit, and found a place that I'd missed despite living a mile down the road from it for six years:
33.)


34.)


35.)


36.)


37.)


38.)


39.)


40.)


41.)


Requiescat in Pace:
42.)


43.)


44.)


45.)


46.)


47.)


48.)


49.)


50.)


51.)


And I honestly thought that would be it for the year, but...
52.)


53.)


54.)


If you've made it this far, thanks for looking!

1,27, 28, 47 49.& 51. Good Stuff B. Great Explores!

I rather like shot 41. The white on red really pops there.
Slight side effect of looking like a Bing background.

Really awesome year!

Although reading how difficult you found it to get into #20/#21 reminded me how easy it was when I went!

Good stuff!

Damn man so many great shots this year! I'm loving 49!

Awesome photos looks like you had a great year!

Thanks very much, everyone!

Posted by mookster Although reading how difficult you found it to get into #20/#21 reminded me how easy it was when I went!

Seriously. It went from being a walk-in in 2014 when I last visited, to the tight, filthy squeeze that it is now. The only thing that kept me from giving up after getting to the locked hatches was the thought of having to go back down that sketchy, corroded ladder without anything to show for it.