Hey everyone, I've found myself fighting with a dilemma in regards to what could be a pretty cool explore, or a bad bust. Here's the story:
There's an abandoned hospital about 2 hours west of me, and of course I REALLY want to explore it. According to what I've found on the internet, it's been explored by many ghost hunting groups (who got permission to be there after paying the owner), it has several haunted tales surrounding it, but apparently is watched pretty closely by the local cops.
I decided to make a trip there to scout the terrain, and possibility seek entry. As I drove by, there was a vehicle parked at the front entrance (which is fenced off, the actual building obscured by a row of trees). I found a parking lot about a half mile down the road, and I walked to within sight of the gate. I see some surveyors doing their thing...so I cross the road and go up into the woods, eventually coming up to the side of the hospital. I see entry is no problem, but can hear voices in the distance. I quickly snap some pics, and I go back into the woods. I have no idea how many people are there, or if they will inevitably enter the building. Well, I get back to the road, and see a blue SUV leaving the property, having been on the opposite end than I have been. The surveyors are still there, so I go back to my car...
Now, when it comes to 'hauntings' I'm kinda agnostic...maybe there are ghosts, maybe not, but it doesn't tend to deter me. I'm rather used to (and almost enjoy) pre-explore jitters, and I tend not to run into much trouble...I go as far as I can until that 'nope' or 'GTFO' moment arrives, then I go.
I know if I predawn this place, I have an offsite parking, inconspicuous approach, and great PoE's. I'd have to use the flash on my camera, and probably a flashlight so that would increase the risk if anyone showed up...
It takes a lot for me to say no, but for some reason I feel like someone's gonna show up at the wrong time, bust me, and there's the game (I've seen that they're kinda hardasses in this small town, when it comes to trespassing, at least at this site). On the other hand, my more logical side (who tends to be just as impetuous) really wants to do it, and I really think I could pull it off...
Sorry for the long background, but there it is. Each time I say 'nope', I think 'it could be done...'. What do you think, is it worth it, or should I just let it go? I'll add that this hospital is trashed, from what I understand, but there's supposed to be a good deal to see (and it's a hospital!!). Thanks for any input or advice you can offer.

Tl:dr 😂


But seriously, you just got to do it or not do it. No amount of advice from here Is going to help you get over that. Like no matter how much info you give, it'll be too subjective for us to make a decision for you. One of those "id have to be there" scenario.

All I can recommend is that you scout it out a little while longer. Like if it doesn't look doable today, it might be tomorrow. If not waiting even longer wouldn't hurt. I usually wait a month in your kind of situation

Surveyors? Better do it if you're going to... scout it out again on a Sunday.
Bring some binoculars if you got them.
Is the power on?
Are there visible cams?
Does security go into the building(s)
What is the routine of the security people; where they go, when, and where do they normally hang out?

Predawn into it on a Sunday morning. No lights, wait for daybreak, stay away from windows or other ways of exposing yourself. Look through windows from the shadows of the room; moving around close to a window or doorway can get you spotted.
Keep a sharp eye out; if security doesn't normally enter the building you'll probably be ok.
Watch for alarms and cams...

If security is constantly outside you may need to wait for nightfall to make a safe exit.
Bring enough water for a day and at least 2 good flashlights.

Ghosts? Ain't no such thing...

Not much of a dilemma. I say if you want to see the place, approach this owner and offer money. Say you're a ghost hunter if you need to, or tell them you just want to take interesting pictures.

When someone is saying "You can come inside if you pay" and you try to get inside without paying, you're kind of moving away from trespassing and into theft, at least in their eyes.

Posted by Steed Not much of a dilemma. I say if you want to see the place, approach this owner and offer money. Say you're a ghost hunter if you need to, or tell them you just want to take interesting pictures. When someone is saying "You can come inside if you pay" and you try to get inside without paying, you're kind of moving away from trespassing and into theft, at least in their eyes.

If they price is reasonable with unrestricted access and it's not stripped to hell it might be worth it.
However it doesn't always work so well to pay.

At Beth Steel you needed to have liability insurance. Forget what a one day shoot would cost but think it was in the $800-1000 range. Worse though you were restricted as to where you could go. The catwalks and anything not on ground level were off limits as I recall.
A trespassing I went and climbed all over that bitch... repeatedly.
It's against my principals to be a paying tourist...

Not sure if you can pay now to get into Pennhurst but either way it's not worth it now.
It's been completely gutted and sterilized... a bore.
Be careful what you pay for.
Trespassing was the only way to see it before it got 'developed'. The state police who had active control of security for it until about 2008, did turn a blind eye to me for 2 years for my help in arresting a scrapper; more than one way to skin a cat.
Always weigh the risks/cost vs rewards.

My opinion is to just take a while to scout it out, try and learn where the security normally is. If you see them out of place gives you an idea that they might be on to you.

Posted by blackhawk in the $800-1000 range. Always weigh the risks/cost vs rewards.

True, I hadn't thought this could be something that expensive.

Posted by Steed True, I hadn't thought this could be something that expensive.

It's been about 10 or so years but I saw that here.
I maybe wrong on the dollar figure and that's it you were not a pro with business insurance already. In that case you could get a one time rider if needed.
Still the access restrictions appear to have been true. You could still sneak up as there though if there by invite, however it might get you kicked out.

Thank you all for your comments, I know it's hard to be truly objective in these kinds of posts, but for the most part it seems like I should either shit or get off the pot, but make sure there isn't a snake in the bowl or a spider under the seat...
I'm sure I'm overthinking this to a large degree, and attributing awareness of myself to whoever may or may not be on site, simply because I'm aware of them.
From what I read, as well as what I observed on site, there were no cameras anywhere, I'm 90% sure there's no alarms or sensors, and it seems very unlikely that there's still power. (I did see a 'beware of dog' sign, but considering it's only fenced in the front the sign is likely a scare)
As far as I know the cops do drive by's frequently (I saw a couple on the highway when I was there), but don't enter the site. I don't even think they have on site security...the blue SUV I saw leaving seemed to be over on the opposite side of the building from my entry point, could've been security, but I'm just not convinced that's what they were. This building is supposed to be stupid with asbestos, so it makes it less likely they'd go in unless they had to...but for all I know they did.
I think the current owner lives in Georgia, and generally denies access unless it's a 'legitimate' ghost hunter thing, and they're willing to pay at least a grand...which I really don't have to devote to one explore.
I really think a predawn is best, I might give it another week or so, enter and hole up in the woods, and if all looks clear, start exploring (carefully but quickly). I see an approaching car, I should have enough time to get into the woods unseen...the thought of staying til nightfall seems unpleasant, but doable if absolutely necessary.
Thanks again for your comments and suggestions, the more I think about it (adding in outside perspectives) I think this can be done. Hopefully, if I get some good pics, I'll be able to post them here.
P.S. And I ain't afraid of no ghost!

Just remember most hospitals have there own little powerplant so just keep an ear out for low humming when you get close. The abandoned hospital in my town has one and it's been on for the last 15 years.

Also keep your escape plan in mind for incase you run into a pesky motion sensor.

I'll definitely keep a lookout for that, I did one explore a few weeks ago of an abandoned nursing home facility that still had some power...it was a big 5 story building, and there were a few lights on, as well as some active indicator lights on one of the generators. There were a few irritating pigeons, but I saw no motion sensors.
If I see any at this place, I'll for sure keep to a well planned escape, fortunately there's woods on two sides, and not alot of visibility from the only road in.

Go in the middle of the night.
Use infrared goggles to avoid detection by your flashlight.
A couple of surveillance drones should keep you abreast of any security/cops.
As a plan B set up a zip line for a quick escape.
Just in case bring a proton pack and trap capable of containing a Class VII Metaspectre until it can be safely deposited into the nearest Ecto Containment Unit.


You're over thinking it. Just go. Predawn on a Sunday morning, you'll be fine.

Posted by blackhawk It's been about 10 or so years but I saw that here. I maybe wrong on the dollar figure and that's it you were not a pro with business insurance already. In that case you could get a one time rider if needed. Still the access restrictions appear to have been true. You could still sneak up as there though if there by invite, however it might get you kicked out.

That's insane. There's an abandoned amusement park over here where you can pay $5 and have free rein of the place.

Posted by Turd Furgusen Go in the middle of the night. Use infrared goggles to avoid detection by your flashlight. A couple of surveillance drones should keep you abreast of any security/cops. As a plan B set up a zip line for a quick escape. Just in case bring a proton pack and trap capable of containing a Class VII Metaspectre until it can be safely deposited into the nearest Ecto Containment Unit. You're over thinking it. Just go. Predawn on a Sunday morning, you'll be fine.

Damn, my proton pack is in the shop...they keep saying "two more weeks, two more weeks." Lol, I hear you man...sometimes I'm my own worst enemy. Bad thing is, compared to some of the explores I've done lately, this one is damn near ought to be a cakewalk...not sure why I let it freak me out. Thanks alot, guess it's time to get it done!

Posted by Steed That's insane. There's an abandoned amusement park over here where you can pay $5 and have free rein of the place.

It's amazing they left anyone in at all.
It was a heavy metal wonderland.
Although largely intact, once the blast furnaces shutdown the corrosion took hold. Missing metal stairs, holes in the deck plating from ankle grabbers to car swallowers, rusted out catwalks... you had to be very careful on the superstructures.