Hi all, I'm pretty new to the urbex scene and am curious what could be considered urbex. I recently explored a quarry that was closed for the holidays and think it would be cool to post the photos but I'm not sure if a place that is still active is acceptable to post on this forum.

It probably is OK.

Posted by OM Hi all, I'm pretty new to the urbex scene and am curious what could be considered urbex. I recently explored a quarry that was closed for the holidays and think it would be cool to post the photos but I'm not sure if a place that is still active is acceptable to post on this forum.

I'd put that under Infiltration.

Urbex is anything you want it to be. If you are exploring your urban environment, or even less than urban environment, that is all that matters. Urbex can be legal, illegal, in a gray area, abandoned, active, disused, anything in between. A lot of people will try to govern what is considered urbex and tell you that it has to fit a set of arbitrary guidelines to be urbex. I think the only consideration to be made is when you are posting it or sharing it. My personal set of ethics strongly discourages posting anything that is currently accessible for anything active or disused, and encourages waiting til demolition or reuse for abandonment or heavily disused spaces. I personally would not post an active quarry infiltration on UER, as a courtesy to other explorers who may wish to explore the site in the future, as law enforcement, property owners, and troublemakers frequent this site, and other forums and social medias looking for information. Great job on the successful infiltration! Probably best to keep to yourself though for now, give it a few years and revisit the idea then is my advice. Keep up the great work!

Posted by razzyt Urbex is anything you want it to be. If you are exploring your urban environment, or even less than urban environment, that is all that matters. Urbex can be legal, illegal, in a gray area, abandoned, active, disused, anything in between.

There is a limit. I've known "urban explorers" whose idea of UE is posting lists of the trendiest cafes in a particular neighbourhood. We have to do a bare minimum of gatekeeping to keep that out of it.

Posted by Steed There is a limit. I've known "urban explorers" whose idea of UE is posting lists of the trendiest cafes in a particular neighbourhood. We have to do a bare minimum of gatekeeping to keep that out of it.

Of course, I wouldn't consider that exploration by any definition. Exploring requires discovery of something that would otherwise be unseen. Off limits spaces or spaces that are not seem by the majority of people. I would even go as far as saying that if you have never found a single spot on your own, and just go to locations that others have given you, or you found posted online, then you are less of an explorer and more of an urban tourist. Exploration requires a step into the unknown, no more, no less.

Thanks so much everyone, I really appreciate all the advice! I couldn't find anything on this topic so I appreciate all the replies.

I always enjoy this particular discussion. Mainly because I'm way outside the definition of Urbex by exploring old mines. Generally far out in the remote desert, but occasionally right in close to civilization. And yet my explorations fall right into industrial decay, abandoned equipment, difficult site access, and technical rope techniques.

When I first joined UER I was quite unsure whether I would be welcomed here or not. Those concerns were completely unwarranted. No one has even hinted that my photos, stories, or videos were unwelcome.

I think the very fact that you are self-aware enough to ask, pretty much guarantees that you fill be just fine. Post fun pictures. Tell good stories. Have fun!

Abby Normal

I've always wondered about this. I try only to explore things with some sign of abandonment or entry. This could be something as simple as overgrown grass recently though it seems to be a completion on social media for people to find the most "untouched spots" which has led to lots of kids my age breaking into buildings that are for lease and not truly abandoned. While it is still urbex I find it unbecoming as it can bring a negative image on urbex as a whole.

Posted by Gauge- I've always wondered about this. I try only to explore things with some sign of abandonment or entry. This could be something as simple as overgrown grass recently though it seems to be a completion on social media for people to find the most "untouched spots" which has led to lots of kids my age breaking into buildings that are for lease and not truly abandoned. While it is still urbex I find it unbecoming as it can bring a negative image on urbex as a whole.

I refer to that as "extreme real estate," possibly with a capital X.

I’d say urbex is exploring abandoned places or areas, and if it’s active I would consider it infiltration, but in the end I would say the definition depends on who you ask

Was rereading through Access All Areas this afternoon to fight off the boredom of being stuck inside all day with the subzero temperatures outside today, and I thought this excerpt would be choice to include in here.

"Since abandoned buildings are probably the most obvious and photogenic places explorers frequent, many have begun to think of the hobby as encompassing little more than exploring abandoned buildings, with maybe the occasional tunnel thrown in for good measure. As I hope to point out in this guide, such places are wonderful and beautiful, but they aren't the end-all-and-be-all of urban exploration. Structures and infrastructures are interesting in all phases of their life cycles, and that places that are under construction or in use can hold as much wonder, beauty and opportunity for adventures as abandoned places."

This hobby is about experiencing, documenting, and enjoying the unseen. Go out there and see it.