A regular feature on a Japanese exploring website got me interested in seeing what everyone here brings along on their outings. Those posts showcased a wide variety of personal preferences, especially in terms of photo gear. My cameras here are a Canon 700D and a Nikon EL2, while my lenses are a Rokinon 14mm f2.8, a Nikon 24-85mm f2.8-4 D, and an Olympus Zuiko 50mm f3.5 macro for the Canon, and a Vivitar 24mm f2 for the Nikon. I know we used to have a thread like this, but it generally didn't have images and I'll be damned if I can find it again right now.

This is what's currently in what I call my "Cave Purse". The load changes a bit depending on where I'm going, and if I need much more stuff I bring a backpack.




Notepad, pen/pencil and compass for mapping. Multiple lights. Manhole popper. Duct tape, spare knife, and spare batteries for emergencies. First aid kit in the little pelican case. Camera (Sony NEX-3) goes in the yellow pelican case, clipped on to the outside of the bag. Tea candles because you aren't allowed to explore in MSP without them

I also usually have a multitool and light on my belt, even at work, in case of shenanigans.

Small yellow thing is an O2 sensor that I bought for a special mission and have just been hauling along ever since. I don't normally run into bad air, but it's one of those disposable ones that expires whether you use it or not.

My gear setup is focused on mine exploring, so I carry a lot of climbing and underground gear.



A sturdy backpack is important since it gets thrown around, pushed through squeezes, and sometimes lowered or pulled up shafts. Other bits include a whistle for signaling when we are beyond voice range, a compass, small first aid kit, food and water. Of course there is always a camera and sometimes a tripod. I carry an assisted opening knife in my right hand pocket. I want to be able to use it if I get clothing or hair fouled while on rope. I always wear gloves underground both for rope work and because I'm clumsy.

Climbing gear is a harness, rappelling rack, a hand ascender, Croll, cow's tails, foot loop, foot ascender, carabiners, slings, and a length of hand-line. We split up the ropes depending on how many of us are going and the complexity of the mine. At a minimum we carry 150' and often as much as 400'. I think the most we ever put down a mine was 900'.

I carry a number of lights with one mounted to my helmet, one in my pocket, and at least one backup in my bag. I'll probably go back to having two mounted on my helmet in case one goes out while on rope. Of course I always carry extra batteries for every light.

We do carry a lot of gear and weight is always an issue when you have to climb up long ladders or do a long rope climb. I've tried to slim down my gear but there really isn't much more than I can eliminate.

Abby Normal

I take my camera, a knife, pistol (sometimes), headlamp, and flashlight. I've also been known to wear a white hard hat and carry a clipboard so it looks like I have a somewhat valid reason to be at certain locations.

Trust me, change "clipboard" to day-glo "safety vest" and a maroon hardhat would be better...

Lately this, give or take a few things depending on the location and travel situation. My old carry was something like this, when I was largely shooting digital and Polaroid.




CAMERA GEAR

• Manfrotto 190Go! + 3-way head
  
• Polaroid 600SE body
  
• Mamiya 127mm f/4.7
  
• Mamiya 75mm f/5.6
  
• Cable release
  
• Filters for each if I'm shooting color packfilm
  
• Viewfinder back
  
• Film (depends on my mood)
  
• Gossen LunaPro SBC meter
  
• More packfilm if-needed
  
• Polaroid packfilm back
  
• Mamiya 6x9 backs (usually two, sometimes three)
  
• Olympus XA

THE REST

• Bandages
  
• Lens pen
  
• Extra tripod mount
  
• El cheapo flashlight + batteries
  
• Good flashlight (Streamlight Protac 2LX) + batteries
  
• Water, peanuts or other snacks (not pictured, if I have room)
  
• 12-in-1 (or something) ratcheting screwdriver (not pictured)
  
• Small wire snips (not pictured)
  
• Phone (not pictured)

Posted by Hawkwind Trust me, change "clipboard" to day-glo "safety vest" and a maroon hardhat would be better...

Hello Hawkwind, I trust you but what is the significance of maroon ?
Thanks.

I just bring a flash light and camera. Maybe some gloves.

<Hello Hawkwind, I trust you but what is the significance of maroon ?
Thanks.>


Maroon means Foreman/Supervisor, best to avoid them. I do service work on construction sites (fuel pumps) every other day. Also, Orange/Blue hardhats mean usually "temps". They wont bother you, they don't want to be there anyway...

the usual plus fresh socks and ample snacks

What is an exploring kit?

Posted by Hawkwind Maroon means Foreman/Supervisor, best to avoid them. I do service work on construction sites (fuel pumps) every other day. Also, Orange/Blue hardhats mean usually "temps". They wont bother you, they don't want to be there anyway...

Thanks for the explanation.
Maroon would look important me think.

when i'm able to prepare for exploration, I usually bring my mask, water bottle, gloves, extra batteries, and of course a bright flashlight. I could probably bring more stuff like tripods and maybe some different cameras, but i'm not much of a photographer.

I think this is the old thread?

https://uer.ca/for...=1&threadid=123171

Canon 5DMKII
Zeiss 35mm f/2
Zeiss 18mm f/3.5
Rokinon 85mm f/1.2
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Canon 70-200 f/2.8

NISI 100mm V5 Pro filter kit
NISI CPL filter
NISI Gradient Filter
NISI 10 Stop ND Filter

Remote Cable Release
LED video Light
Canon Speedlite 580
Bluetooth Speaker

Manfroto Tripod

Small flashlights
Steel-toe CSA boots

Starting from the bottom and going approximately clockwise:

-tripod
-gopro
-clean change of underwear
-eco-bag
-bag for mask stuff
-four white gloves, heavily stained with crane grease
-two black masks
-two traditional masks, flashlight
-Trump love motel cigarette lighter
-kazoo
-press pass
-swiss army knife
-card reader
-North Korean USB device that got me into the Mass Games and has several promotional videos on it, as well as likely spyware
-remote shutter
-bottle opener
-copy of Party51 documentary DVD
-cat food
-travel tissues
-self-authored punk zine
-Nikon D750 DSLR

Cat barf stain not included

I bring my Canon EOS T6 with a standard and longer lens, two LED light panels(1 old and one new), two handheld flashlights, a few bottles of water, some snacks, two extra camera batteries, an extra SD card, enough walkie-talkies for everyone, 3 pairs of gloves, bug spray, AA batteries, extra pants, and an extra pair of socks.

My Canon, My low light lenses, Bandages, Flashlight and my Swiss army knife. From the looks of everyone else's kits, I really need a kit upgrade lol

I bring the following to every explore:
My backpack (one of those tactical style so I can add/remove extra pouches and stuff as needed).
In my bag is:
-flashlight
-batteries
-safety glasses
-gloves (good heavy duty work gloves)
-small first aid kit (some Band-Aids, gauze, medical tape, alcohol pads)
-water bottle
-small snack (usually just a granola bar or a small bag of cheezits)
-extra chargers/cables to use in the car
-roll of toilet paper (mostly for blowing my nose as needed, I've got pretty bad allergies).
-hand sanitizer
-fire starters (will explain below)
-notebook/pen
-asthma inhaler
-Tylenol
-electrical tape
-zip ties


Other things I'll bring, which of course vary upon location:
-respirator
-change of clothes (if I know I'll get wet or muddy)
-hard hat (some places I just feel more comfortable wearing one as a safety precaution)

Things I plan to add/improve
-high power glow sticks, in case I'm ever without my flashlight
-head lamp, to free up a hand
-upgrade first aid kit a little
-gas meter
-a couple MREs
-bug repellent

On my person I carry:
-phone (duh, since it doubles as my camera)
-wallet (again, duh)
-pack of smokes/lighter (for smoking, and as a "peace offering" if I ever encounter an angry bum/squatter
-extra cash in case of an emergency (NOT a lot, usually just like $30)
-Folding knife (as a tool; it's not meant to be a weapon unless absolutely necessary)

Now, to explain the fire starters: I am by no means an arsonist, pyromaniac or anything of the sort. I think with a survival mentality (which should be obvious given most of what I carry), and if I'm ever in a situation where I'm trapped somewhere for any reason for an extended period, I want to make sure I can have a fire and keep warm.

Now, I know it doesn't necessarily count as "gear" but as far as attire goes, I wear jeans or cargo pants, steel toed boots, a long sleeve shirt or hoodie (depending on the weather maybe my Carhartt jacket as well), a hat and sunglasses.

A few pics... Urbex gear https://imgur.com/a/BLBN3AK

Posted by Steed Cat barf stain not included

That is literally the first thing I saw. Was trying to decide it if was some crazy lens cloth and kind of ignored the rest of this comedy gold