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UER Forum > UE Main > Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You? (Viewed 20730 times)
TunnelRunner33 


Location: Seattle
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Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< on 6/11/2015 10:57 PM >
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I've been thinking a lot lately about something, and I was curious to see what other people had to say on the topic. I recently went exploring with a friend that is literally half my age, and at one point we were engaged in some pretty dangerous behavior. We were attempting to work our way down a "ramp" of collapsed beams and ruined floor sections to the basement below. My partner was taking the lion's share of the risk, assuming the point position on the "ramp," and I couldn't help but feeling a bit guilty at having brought such a smart and brave young man with me to this mouldering potential death-trap. I remember wondering to myself that if something terrible were to happen to us, would I bear some sort of extra blame or responsibility due to my age?

Don't get me wrong, I recognize that he is old enough and mature enough to make these sorts of decisions on his own, and I respect that. That still didn't prevent me from wondering if I was doing the right thing, though. I'm curious to see what other people have to say about the topic.

My partner and I eventually pulled out, deciding to come back some other time in the daylight in order to see better. The building has since been closed back up, so it looks like a return trip is out of the question, at least for now. Although I was disappointed to find it sealed, I must admit that I also felt a little relief as well. It meant that we didn't have to brave the "ramp" again.

That's kind of a fucked up thing to say, because I really would like to get to the building's basement. I just don't want to get myself, or worse, anyone else killed in the process, especially a young person with a lot of promise and potential.

Has anyone else faced this dilemma, and if so, what was your decision on it? For myself, I have decided that as long as someone is legally an adult, they are old enough to explore with. That being said, however, I might be more inclined to avoid the most dangerous activities if I am with someone very young.

PS... To my exploring friend if you read this: Please don't take this as me saying I wouldn't explore with you again. You were an excellent partner, and it was cool to 'work' with you. Maybe if we do anything so risky again, I'll just make sure to take the point position!




If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire... Tunnelrunner33!
Cosmic 


Location: Minneapolis / St. Paul
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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 1 on 6/11/2015 11:08 PM >
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No minors.




enirus 


Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 2 on 6/11/2015 11:26 PM >
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One of my closest friends is 30, that makes him 12 years older than me. We've explored together plenty of times. He does have a protective position over me and I'm sure he would blame himself if I got hurt exploring with him but... You can't control everyone's actions. And I know full well the implications and consequences of what I do and I take sole responsibility and would not blame anyone else or would want them to take the blame.




My friend manhandled me up a roof once.
mookster 


Location: Oxford, UK
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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 3 on 6/11/2015 11:29 PM >
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One of my longest-serving explore partners is old enough to be my father.

I don't really like exploring with minors/under 18s, as legally they would be my responsibility as an adult. Back in the day I didn't think much of it though, and indeed met an old girlfriend of mine on an explore when she was 17 and I was only 19.




yokes 


Location: Toronto
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I aim to misbehave

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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 4 on 6/12/2015 12:31 AM >
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Posted by Cosmic
No minors.


That's my policy too. Otherwise, doesn't matter to me.




"Great architecture has only two natural enemies: water and stupid men." - Richard Nickel
KD20 


Location: Northeast Ohio
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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 5 on 6/12/2015 1:11 AM >
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Agreed on no minors. My sister went with me a couple times before she turned 18 but I wouldn't take anyone else under 18. Beyond that, I don't mind exploring with anyone older or younger (I'm 25).




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Vampirequeen 


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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 6 on 6/12/2015 1:25 AM >
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My main exploring partner is a few years older than me and my soon-to-be ex exploring partner (he's going to become a police officer) is the same age as me. Even though I've explored with minors before, I probably wouldn't do it again. My younger sister has expressed some interest in exploring, but I'm not going to take her until she's a legal adult because I'm worried that if I take her now and we get caught, I might end up getting charged with endangering a minor in addition to trespassing and I feel like that would bother my parents even more. And I'd rather not have them find out that I'm into exploring after I get my underage sister in trouble as well.




Seek and ye shall find...
dodger 


Location: San Francisco
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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 7 on 6/12/2015 2:59 AM >
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As has been said, no minors. I have explored with minors (as young as 12-15) in the past and I don't recommend it, both in terms of maturity and being responsible for their safety/etc.




telefontubbie 


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"No Trespassing" - It's an invitation!

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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 8 on 6/12/2015 9:01 AM >
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Interesting question. For three years i was the only minor in a group of 22 - 30 year old explorers. I was very responsible back then and i didn't take much risk, others respected me and my choices. There have been times when i don't enter building or territory and i stayed out just because i had a very strong intuition - 'something's gonna happen,guard will show up' etc. And always something went wrong if i said so.

There have been some times when i explored with a person who's not 18 yet. I met a girl who's younger than me and has an interest for exploring. She was 16 or 17 when it was the first time i took her somewhere, absolutely no problems. We even hitchhiked together to explore abandoned places in another country. But now i remember, the day i met her i asked to her "does any of your relatives or a close friend know where are you now, with who and where you'll go today?". So i guess i felt a little bit responsible about her and i really cared if she's clear about her plans to her family or at least someone close because hitchhiking might be more risky than exploring.

If there would be a situation when i'm taking somebody under 18 exploring i would definitely do this:
1)ask if their parents know
2)ask what they already know about safety risks and explain some stuff if it's necessary before going somewhere
3)warn about any dangers while being inside building (but that's what ALL explorers do no matter how old/experienced anyone is)

I think any 'grown-up' explorer can learn from young explorers,too. Why?

1)Young explorers can put more attention for exploring. Their only duty is to go to school so they have a lot of free time. So they're totally into exploring, i must say - they're able to focus their attention for exploring 24 hrs a day. They're really able to pay more attention for exploring in any way. I mean, if they would encouter with anything risky, they have plenty of time to find out possible dangers.
2)Young explorers are probably more into social networking that we used to be. They're Google generation. They post stuff on social networks in real time so their parents/friends knows well what the youngster does at the moment. They can react immediately if they find it's not OK. It means they put a lot of trust to anybody they're close to.


After writing this i wish i was 15 again for a day..










DundahMifflin 


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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 9 on 6/14/2015 12:58 AM >
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Not at all. In fact, I'm the youngest of my group (I'm 22). The closest to my age is 31/32, and from there, it goes up to the early-40's. In fact, I would rather explore with seasoned explorers than just people my age, you know? I have more trust in each explore with them.




unlighted-zero 


Location: Hamilton, ON
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havin a time

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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 10 on 6/17/2015 8:24 AM >
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I used to explore with underagers when I was in my early 20's but now that I'm in the later part of that decade I definitely wouldn't do it. Too many legal ramifications and depending how underage they are, it's kinda awkward.




/flail it til ya nail it
fiftyone_eggs 


Location: jerzey
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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 11 on 6/17/2015 11:31 AM >
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Age differences? No. Maturity differences? Yes.




Flashyfashionfraud 


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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 12 on 6/18/2015 5:52 AM >
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Not a problem for me. I either get mistaken as someone's mom when I'm with anyone 23 and younger, or I get mistaken for someone's kid. I don't care either way. I agree with fifteyone_eggs on the maturity matter.

I don't mind minors as long as 1. I get full consent from their parents or 2. they're my family and I trust them.

Exploring takes a lot of trust and connection (at least to me) and if I feel unsafe or uncomfortable then I most likely won't keep exploring with said person. But age is never a problem for me. I've explored with people my age, younger, and old enough to be my parents it doesn't matter as long as they're not being creepy or immature/annoying to where I consider just leaving them stranded at the abandonment and sparing my sanity.




“Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!" — Dr. Strangelove
Doug 


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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 13 on 6/18/2015 6:22 AM >
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For the first time in my exploring life, I'm finding that in Australia that the next wave of explorers seem more selfish and annoying than ever. Some even brag about smashing into locations. In some circles smashing your way in is the norm and done even when simple access is possible.

Anyone that responds to a photo or video of a location with "wheres that" (which is how they usually spell it) should have their Urbex Card taken away.

I have thought these things is the past, however it was always the exception. They were the exception and soon succumbed to peer group pressure - Don't smash up shit ya dick head!

It's not just because I'm getting on a bit. If I was to go back five years the majority of newer explorers were generally team players & I could relate to them is some way despite a 20+ year difference, but nowadays... I don't know, I think Australia is catching up to rest of the world where urbex has somehow become a graff related thing where putting videos up of incriminating infiltrations seems more common. These type of explorers have forced the newer keen explorers (that don't smash shit up) underground and they often appear to be arrogant, but in most examples it's often a case of once bitten, twice shy.

There are so many explorers not in the C/C that seem to not have a clue that the C/C branches almost seem scared (over cautious) to let anyone join that isn't the salt of the earth.

Thinking about it for more than the usual 12.8 seconds, it's probably just a minority that stands out more and I should STFU

I'm going to sound like the oldest "back in the good old days" fart, but I am so glad I got to do the majority of my exploring when I did (yeah, grass is always greener, blah blah ;) )

Cheers




The Urbex Zine Guy
https://www.cavecl...wtopic.php?t=12259
Keaven 


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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 14 on 6/20/2015 4:07 PM >
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I'm in the "no minor" camp with one exception. I'll take my 16 year-old-nephew on some very low risk excursions.

One of our trips did result in us being at the wrong place at the wrong time and being subject to a felony stop from our local police. I was certain that would not go over well with his mom and would result in the end of our trips. Luckily, she took it in stride and we have continued to be able to explore together since.




bentstrider 


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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 15 on 6/23/2015 3:05 AM >
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As long as they know their way around, I'm all good regardless of being older or younger.
If anything, I'm typically the 32 year old rookie running with a pack of late teens/early 20s veterans of the hobby.

Never was a light guy that much, but I know how to haul ass!!




raddhatter 


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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 16 on 6/23/2015 10:03 PM >
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I'd like to think not. But honestly I have no idea! I've only explored with people in my general age range with the same interests. Just more affirmation that I need to expand my (literal & figurative) horizons (hence my recent joining UER.)




“MAN that was a long 3 days!” said Jesus on Easter Sunday (probably), and also me, finally able to post on UER after signing up.
A Through Z Explorations 


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INTRUDER ALERT! "I only came to dance." -Combichrist

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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 17 on 6/27/2015 10:40 AM >
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Exploring with minors?
My "professional" answer is no. My honest answer is "yes", but ONLY with my family (as I've done in the past).
My 2 oldest sisters (I'm the oldest of four children/one is 19 and the other is 14) go with me on exploration adventures. We have it all worked out if authorities show up: The youngest one will take the blame, meanwhile, my 19 y/o sister and I are the ones "out looking for her because she's acting up, having a fit, and going down the wrong path in life. We're trying to bring her back home." She is a good actress; she was actually in the drama club. Irresponsible from my part? I don't think so because they are going to do it either way, so I would rather be there to protect them from any potential harm and dangers that can arise from UE.

Exploring with a minor that is not my family:
That would be a big NO for me if the opportunity ever came up. With all the horrible things happening in this world I would only assume that a police officer would assume my intentions with a minor inside an abandonment are illicit and perverse.



[last edit 6/27/2015 10:44 AM by A Through Z Explorations - edited 1 times]

"It's just a dance, not romance."
superphoenix 


Location: New York City
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There's a madness to my methods

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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 18 on 6/27/2015 4:08 PM >
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It's only an issue if you get caught. I've explored with 14-year-olds and 40-year-olds. I find climbing/running ability to be more important than age.

If I'm going with someone much younger/much older, they should be in good enough physical shape to avoid any problems. I feel much more at risk exploring with someone who doesn't share my physical capabilities, as I tend to view them as a liability rather than an asset.




Speed 


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Retired Explorer

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Re: Are Age Differences Between Explorers an Issue For You?
< Reply # 19 on 6/27/2015 4:13 PM >
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Posted by Cosmic
No minors.


Posted by yokes
That's my policy too. Otherwise, doesn't matter to me.



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