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Hey guys,
I usually don't do much exploring during the winter, but I'm in the midst of a fairly large project which has necessitated some wintery adventures. The main problem I'm having is getting past leaving tracks in the copious amounts of snow in my area. Some of the locations I'm interested in are either partially active or have some form of security, and it would be a huge bummer to be busted because my footprints were followed to a POE. Obviously, leaving some tracks is unavoidable, but any advice out there (besides waiting for it all to melt, which isn't really an option)?
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That's a hard one, but the one thing that comes to mind is to follow the tracks of any security patrols as much as possible... if there are any. Other than that, animal tracks? Or, maybe go train in the Himalayas and come back as Batman
I'm sure someone smarter will come up with a better idea
"See you guys, you never listen to me. I said there was gonna be trouble but you didn't listen to me. You guys are crazy. You know, you guys are self destructive. There's a funny farm and it has your names written all over it. But I'm gettin' out of here. I'm... I smell ice cream!" |
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May just be the sad reality of winter exploring. Depending on the size of the location, do a bunch of loops that make it look like you walked around then left the same way you came to the location, but actually double back to your POE
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I like forgotten rails idea, how ever I'm going to add to it, you could walk right up to your POE and then walk away from it simulating that you have already left, then walking using your original footprints to walk back up to your POE. just an idea
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Not a whole lot you can do. Snowshoes?
Wear boots that leave bear footprints. That'll throw security off.
"When it rains, just find bigger drains." |
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Posted by BlaneAlexander
I like forgotten rails idea, how ever I'm going to add to it, you could walk right up to your POE and then walk away from it simulating that you have already left, then walking using your original footprints to walk back up to your POE. just an idea
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That was kind of what I was getting at. Go where you want to go, but then leave prints making it look like you left, then use those prints to actually go back. Hide in plan sight.
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Posted by ForgottenRails
That was kind of what I was getting at. Go where you want to go, but then leave prints making it look like you left, then use those prints to actually go back. Hide in plan sight.
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sorry! i must have misread
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If there are already other sets of footprints around, I wouldn't worry about it. If not, ForgottenRails and BlaneAlexander have the right idea. Make it look like you've already been in and out. On one occasion, I actually walked backward from the road to the POE.
https://www.flickr...tos/131085384@N06/ |
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I prefer dropping out of a helicopter which only leaves weird drifts in the snow. I think the idea of going to the POE then doubling back is probably the best idea. I suppose if you go on a windy day your tracks might even be covered back up by the time security drives by.
"Live out your imagination, not your history." ~ Stephen Covey |
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Long-term, though, becoming Batman could probably get you into some very sweet locations later on.
input: bacon | output: fiction |
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Easy, just bring a snow machine with you! 
Really, there's no actual great solution to this problem.
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..." -Dr. Suess |
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If you can cross-country ski, and the terrain and type of snow surface make it feasible, this is something to consider. You can move much faster than could a person on foot or using snowshoes (especially if your getaway is downhill). On level ground, your tracks won't have an obvious direction, tho another experienced skier could figure it out. (For example, the little craters that ski poles make have "tails" where the ski pole drags a bit being lifted out of its hole; they'll point in the direction of travel.) And XC skiers always ski all over the place; so folks might not think much about yet more ski tracks, especially if the area is frequented by skiers. If you're questioned, your skis will be an even better alibi than a camera.
XC skiing feels like a cross between hiking and roller-skating. If you don't already do it, learn how and put in a few practice hours. You can rent equipment, but must fit it in or attach it to your vehicle.
"The beauty of mediocrity is that anything can make you better." -Jeff Mallett |
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Posted by relik
Wear boots that leave bear footprints. That'll throw security off.
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Or just walk around in your...
...bear feet. I'm so sorry.
Oh good, my slow clap processor made it into this thing.
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~Quote By Thomas Edison~
I have far more respect for the person with a single idea who gets there than for the person with a thousand ideas who does nothing.... |
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If people are taking the time to follow your footprints you know it must be a good spot
[last edit 2/4/2015 5:12 PM by Trackrunner - edited 1 times]
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Stay up on the back side of drifts. Against buildings. Go on windy days. Etc.
Ezekiel 25:17 |
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You guys are all wonderful, thank you so much! I'm really liking the bear shoe idea...I mean, no ones going to try to follow a bear, right?
[last edit 2/10/2015 2:15 AM by Echos - edited 1 times]
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Wow. I was looking to do some winter exploring myself sometime soon but I hadn't even factored footprints into my planning. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like there's much someone can do.
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Snow sucks sometimes.
Snow can also provide a lot of info about who else is around the site. There's one I've been checking in on recently that always has a security car parked in front. For months I thought it was under 24 hour watch. Now that it's snowed for a while, I see the snow pile up on the car and only get cleared once a week. I can also see that they drive in, walk up the hill to where the car is parked, drive around for a while, and walk back down the hill.
For urban houses it's kind of nice, too. You can easily see if anybody might be squatting.
[last edit 2/11/2015 2:49 PM by ripcity - edited 1 times]
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walk backwards to the POE
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Ethics
