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Hey everyone,
I'm not gonna ask for any specific locations, but since I explore alone I was wondering about types of areas I should look for that usually have... less of a chance that other people would be around? I get paranoid about scoping out an area and exploring since I'm on the small side... Maybe I need to get more used to exploring to stop feeling nervous
Also if anyone wants to chat and explore together in the east bay, pm me!
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No disrespect, but if you have to ask, then you either need a partner or should stay home. There are no promises or guarantees in any of the places people explore. Bad people and bad things happen everywhere. Some here may respond with signs and things to look for, but again - there is no promise that you are ever 100% safe.
I generally avoid the goodies on the bad sides of my town, but sometimes I just can't resist. If you get over the anxiety and simply can't resist either, ALWAYS know your way out. ALWAYS be scanning for alternate exits. Never let your guard down. Move slowly/quietly and watch for activity. Don't forget to listen and be aware of smells. Be ready to run at all times, and don't stop until you are back to your ride. I personally avoid conflict like the plague - I have bolted from places after hearing what may have just been a raccoon. Call me a puss - don't care - I am too old with too much to lose to get caught up in anything that involves a hospital visit, the hassle of Police, or *gulp* worse.
You can minimize risks by sticking to rurex, but we all know some of the best stuff is in urban areas - often the shit side of town too. Again - if you must - my final advice is to get a partner. Better yet, a small group. There is a bunch of Bay Area folk here on UER. Stick around - you'll find someone eventually...
Best of luck and stay safe.
Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.
Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium. |
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Rule #1 people are trouble.
Avoid contact whenever practical.
Hear them, smell them, see them first.
How you carry yourself or don't has more to do with it than size.
Age is a factor as well; younger you get less respect plus you have less wherewithal.
Most would be muggers coming towards you from 20+ feet out will break off if you break into a jog.
Once in a jog you can break into a sprint if need be.
Be very wary of anyone asking for anything.
Never reach into pockets to give a stranger a light, money etc unless you dead certain they aren't a mugger etc; never tie your hands up when dealing with strangers.
Watch their hands and eyes.
ID trouble ASAP and take action fast.
Distance buys you time to think and react appropriately.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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Unfortunately people here are fixated on "bandos" and often protect them jealously.
First, get Ninjalicious' book Access All Areas then take a look at the hundreds of live or active locations around you.
Youre missing half the fun if you limit yourself to decay and artistic abandoned photo shoots try to infiltrate something active and feel the rush!
Todays smart phones take great pics and draw less attention than a giant 20D hanging around your neck. Although in some locations looking like a photographer can be a useful strategy.
If go "infiltration" you wont go back.
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I haven't been to San Francisco since the 1980s.
I remember going through the old Kezar Stadium (demolished 1989) trying to find the groundskeeper's room from Dirty Harry.
My guess is you'd have to get out of town a bit. Real estate in SF are way too high for anything to stay abandoned for very long.
In order to use your head, you have to go out of your mind. |
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Thank you everyone for the helpful and encouraging replies!!
@Mr. Bitey: You're definitely right, I'll work on becoming more brave and also try to make connections with people who share an interest in it..! Your second paragraph is very helpful... I don't think that its bad to be cautious!! You're right about safety being #1. I'm really grateful! Thank you so much
@blackhawk: Im grateful for your advice a lot too! I'll probably start working out more to regain stamina so I don't fall when running... also the advice about watching people is really insightful and keeping these things in mind makes me less anxious..
@2Xplorations: I'll definitely look up the book!!!! I totally get why people don't post locations or give them out when asked, since some people could ruin them and they don't take the effort as the people who found them do... There are some places that I searched for that look fun for infiltration so once I bring up my courage and get more experience I'll definitely try it and post pictures!!
@Radio2600: Thats so cool!!! I'm sure a lot has changed since then, you're right about the real estate... I've lived outside the city my whole life and its changed a lot there too..
I'll keep everyone updated with any explorations I do! I hope I don't disappoint 
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Posted by noa.
@2Xplorations: I'll definitely look up the book!!!! I totally get why people don't post locations or give them out when asked, since some people could ruin them and they don't take the effort as the people who found them do... There are some places that I searched for that look fun for infiltration so once I bring up my courage and get more experience I'll definitely try it and post pictures!!
I'll keep everyone updated with any explorations I do! I hope I don't disappoint
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HUGE difference in the adrenaline rush with active locations, its a way more exciting and a bigger challenge than walking around somebodies vacant house or taking photos of some peeling paint with the property owner's permission.
Bring back photos they don't have to be works of art unless that's what turns you on I reckon.
Don't get caught.
Have a plan to explain yourself if you do.
Sneak in. Sneak out.
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Meh, the biggest hazard you face are not people.
Hellholes can eat you in one gulp.
Read the Hellholes thread...
https://www.uer.ca...=1&threadid=122644
Every step counts, keep your eyes and mind on where/what your feet are stepping on!
Always be wary of the potential for structural collapse including anything on the walls and ceiling as well as what you're standing on.
Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
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We got caught rooftopping a hotel in SF one time the security guard saw past our story right away and after we came clean he took us to an abandoned restaurant on a separate floor of the same hotel.
http://www.flickr....rescueme1060/sets/
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Posted by RescueMe1060
We got caught rooftopping a hotel in SF one time the security guard saw past our story right away and after we came clean he took us to an abandoned restaurant on a separate floor of the same hotel.
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Yaya - don't eff around when caught. Tell the truth. No spray paint. No pack full of scrap. No burglary tools. Just taking pictures man..... The only lie I have told is "I will never come back".
Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.
Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium. |
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If you want to avoid running into people, I recommend exploring places in areas that you are comfortable going to. Of course, there are no guarantees to what you will and won’t find while exploring.
“In my restless dreams, I see that town…” |
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If there aren't abandoned places near you that you feel comfortable with, don't be afraid to do some active places. Start with a generally public place and just explore. That'll give you a sense for it and you can work up from there. Only problem is that being caught in crucially sensitive areas is much worse than an abandoned house. Don't be a terrorist threat and you'll be fine. And don't get caught.
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My advise stands, use a small camera or your phone so in places that wouldn't expect to see a photographer you don't attract suspicion.
e.g. My most extensive active infiltration was the Adams Mark hotel in Dallas. I had to be there for a late afternoon meeting anyway so I got there early and spent about 3hrs roaming around. Nobody challenged me. The kitchen workers saw me, I looked at what they were doing and smiled a lot, Im sure they thought I was with the health department nobody said a word I saw the whole food prep and food storage area.
Next the mechanical room, just boilers, electrical panels and A/C equipment only two guys working thee both were surfing the Internet and paid zero attention they must have figured if I got that far I was some sort of hotel official (wearing slacks sport coat no tie)
Then the business office, computers all left on with no screen saver paper work left out in clear view it was lunch time so they all left together I spose. LOts of file cabinets but nothing of any interest to me. I went back out the way I came ended up in the kitchen again.
I wandered around the maze of hallways and equipment spaces unmolested the whole time. If youre not 16yrs old, wearing a hoody, have your basketball shoes untied or youre all tatted up most people will think you belong there. Of course there are exceptions. You never know until you try or we will think you have no balls LOL !
Did the Dallas Convention Center after it was closed, one door propped open with a mop bucket of course. We parked and bailed out. I had a WFAA TV station ball cap and sporting a Canon 30d and camera bag. We encountered a dozen or so maintenance/clean up personnel who paid not a second of attention. Then here came security, escorting about 6 female employees out to the garage. The guy just looked at us, then turned around and did a double take. He saw me look back and glance over my shoulder at him (bad habit) but I guess he was comfortable with our presence even though the place was closed and exterior doors locked (how the Hell did he think we got in there)
Bottom line dress for success.
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Ethics
