Posted by blackhawk You're reading too much into this. First thing you need to learn is when to bug out. May be the first time or the 304th time but sooner or later you'll need to as a matter of self preservation. Or be trying to outrun a collapsing floor Fun if you do... You make the call. Start slow and do what's within your abilities.

yeah i probably am i think i should go with a friend for the first few times till i get the hang of it then ill go alone im going to unguarded remote locations

Make sure you phone is charged and carry extra batteries.
Tell someone who cares about you precisely where you are going. Impress that person with the importance of minding their phone while you're inside the target
Call that person when you've entered your target.
Call that person when you have exited your target
Call that person if you get into a jam that can be dealt with by rescue.

In a worse case scenario call 911, yea, I know...but the policeman really is your friend....Good luck and let's see those pics!

Posted by WEKurtz Make sure you phone is charged and carry extra batteries. Tell someone who cares about you precisely where you are going. Impress that person with the importance of minding their phone while you're inside the target Call that person when you've entered your target. Call that person when you have exited your target Call that person if you get into a jam that can be dealt with by rescue. In a worse case scenario call 911, yea, I know...but the policeman really is your friend....Good luck and let's see those pics!

i ill definitely have someone that knows where i am but now gonna call them all the time maybe when im there and when im heading back so they have a sense of how long its been. ill definitely carry batteries now that you mentioned it and if i really get into a sticky spot (broken leg) ill call for police help

Footwear, underwear, maybe a change of underwear, pants, long-sleeved shirt, smartphone.

Training wheels.

Posted by Reese is obeese yeah but defense against what? i doubt ill run into anyone other than cops if they're called or dcr people

Defense against people. Not to make you worried, but depending on the location, there could be unfriendly homeless people or addicts. Better safe than sorry.

Posted by Steed Footwear, underwear, maybe a change of underwear, pants, long-sleeved shirt, smartphone.

alright ill keep those in mind

Posted by jc0507 Defense against people. Not to make you worried, but depending on the location, there could be unfriendly homeless people or addicts. Better safe than sorry.

true but im not gonna be able to get pepper spray not 18

Posted by jc0507 Defense against people. Not to make you worried, but depending on the location, there could be unfriendly homeless people or addicts. Better safe than sorry.

Bug out or don't go.
I've spooked the hell out of a few ghost hunters

In other half a century of exploring I never used a weapon on anyone or even a dog. Learn to handle yourself
You're far more likely to have a bad encounter during your normal day.

The biggest hazard you face exploring are hellholes.
Start thinking about what will really maim and kill you.

Just a couple of thoughts.

The most important thing you can take is common sense. Obviously you are new to this, so don't get overly brave. Experienced explorers will see hazards that you won't. They will also know that something that might look sketchy, is just fine. That comes with experience.

As a newbie, having someone you can call to check-in and check-out with was good advice. I do the same thing with a Spot Tracker since I'm usually out of cell service. Plus it includes lat/lon so search and rescue know where to start looking. I don't want the spending days just trying to find my truck.

Take a camera along and snap some photos. Years from now you'll be glad that you took pictures of your first explore. Most of us didn't do that...

Don't overthink it. Go have a good day exploring. Of course, keep your eyes and ears open, but don't wind yourself up to the point where you can't enjoy it.

Abby Normal

Posted by Abby Normal Just a couple of thoughts. The most important thing you can take is common sense. Obviously you are new to this, so don't get overly brave. Experienced explorers will see hazards that you won't. They will also know that something that might look sketchy, is just fine. That comes with experience. As a newbie, having someone you can call to check-in and check-out with was good advice. I do the same thing with a Spot Tracker since I'm usually out of cell service. Plus it includes lat/lon so search and rescue know where to start looking. I don't want the spending days just trying to find my truck. Take a camera along and snap some photos. Years from now you'll be glad that you took pictures of your first explore. Most of us didn't do that... Don't overthink it. Go have a good day exploring. Of course, keep your eyes and ears open, but don't wind yourself up to the point where you can't enjoy it. Abby Normal

I'm definitely bringing a camera no doubt about that

I speak softly and carry a big stick.

Posted by Radio2600 I speak softly and carry a big stick. click to view

There is that approach to exploring!

Abby

Posted by Radio2600 I speak softly and carry a big stick. click to view

So quiet in out loud? Aka throwing a stick grenade as a distraction while you run. I'm in

Posted by Radio2600 I speak softly and carry a big stick. click to view

Better than that guy who said he carries large nails to drop on the ground when he’s being chased

You're over-thinking it. Once you've got a few under your belt, you'll realize it's mostly just silly nonsense.

Good footwear.
Good lights - plural, and your phone doesn't count.
(That being said...) Fully charge your phone before you head out and let someone know what you're doing and when to expect a check-in.
A hat to keep the spiders and/or shit out of your hair.
I like to wear light leather gloves because my hands sweat.

Grab a couple beers or a flask and you're good to go. Oh, you're underage. Um, what's the equivalent, like... your favorite candy bar? Don't tell your mom that I said exploring was fun.

Trust your gut. It's going to overreact the first couple times out, but that's ok too.

Push yourself, a little more at a time.

You got this. You're gonna have a blast.

Posted by NotBatman You're over-thinking it. Once you've got a few under your belt, you'll realize it's mostly just silly nonsense. Good footwear. Good lights - plural, and your phone doesn't count. (That being said...) Fully charge your phone before you head out and let someone know what you're doing and when to expect a check-in. A hat to keep the spiders and/or shit out of your hair. I like to wear light leather gloves because my hands sweat. Grab a couple beers or a flask and you're good to go. Oh, you're underage. Um, what's the equivalent, like... your favorite candy bar? Don't tell your mom that I said exploring was fun. Trust your gut. It's going to overreact the first couple times out, but that's ok too. Push yourself, a little more at a time. You got this. You're gonna have a blast.

Got it

be sure to sign the back of your drivers license indicating that youre an organ donor...

Posted by 2Xplorations be sure to sign the back of your drivers license indicating that youre an organ donor...

Dibs on the liver. Current one isn't quite pickled yet, but I would like to keep a spare on hand just in case....

Posted by NotBatman You're over-thinking it. Once you've got a few under your belt, you'll realize it's mostly just silly nonsense. Good footwear. Good lights - plural, and your phone doesn't count. (That being said...) Fully charge your phone before you head out and let someone know what you're doing and when to expect a check-in. A hat to keep the spiders and/or shit out of your hair. I like to wear light leather gloves because my hands sweat. Grab a couple beers or a flask and you're good to go. Oh, you're underage. Um, what's the equivalent, like... your favorite candy bar? Don't tell your mom that I said exploring was fun. Trust your gut. It's going to overreact the first couple times out, but that's ok too. Push yourself, a little more at a time. You got this. You're gonna have a blast.

Says the guy who TOTALLY DOESN'T carry shark repellent in his utility belt.