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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Rural Explores and Parking (Viewed 7331 times)
Hoover 


Location: Michigan
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Quiet as a dang churchmouse

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Rural Explores and Parking
< on 6/20/2016 10:40 PM >
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Hi! I'm new here to this forum, and to UE. This really seemed like the place to go to begin my exploring career. To that point, my immediate surroundings are all rural. Farmland, barns, etc. I would like to begin exploring on small areas, like empty houses and such. (There is one factory nearby that cleared out in 2004, but I'd like to get a little bit of experience before I do that.

Does anyone have any general advice regarding rural explores, scouting and social engineering? I've read tons on getting in and staying safe inside, but not much has popped up in the way of where to park and how to approach places. I'm also a tad bit scared of shotgun wielding country folk.




YotaMan20 


Location: Washington
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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 1 on 6/21/2016 3:14 AM >
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When I first came to UER, I had the same questions and there are no REAL answers, just helpful advice.

Here's a link to a thread that a few others and I found useful.
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=122286

By the way, there is a search engine we can use to find some of these answers as well.

Welcome to UER!

Edit:
Here's a link to a thread regarding Parking. However, URBEX and RUREX are a bit different from each other. I find around here that I can park right in front without trouble but I do NOT suggest it because I will NOT be to blame for any misfortune. lol
http://www.uer.ca/...=1&threadid=122917



[last edit 6/21/2016 3:18 AM by YotaMan20 - edited 1 times]

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Jonsered 


Location: Back in New Mexico where I belong
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Dressed for a scarecrow ball.........

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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 2 on 6/21/2016 5:11 AM >
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Welcome.

There are a bunch of us here to do primarily rural exploring. Some of the others here may disagree, but I personally think your biggest adversary is nature, not security. Not sure exactly where you are located, but think about snakes, ants, cactus and thorny type plants, barking dogs giving away your position, water (distance covered can get crazy pretty quick in rural stuff), long pants, long sleeves, real shoes, a decent pair of gloves. You also have to consider the camo angle of rural stuff. Think about being the only set of footprints on a dirt road. Consider that in a rural area, everybody will know you ain't from around here, and parking is problematic at best. Out in the sticks, there are still plenty of places that your phone signal, and thus your phone GPS, will be non existent. There are a bunch of threads here on this topic, but most of the best seem to be FM, so you can't see them yet.

As for research, Google Earth is your friend. Might also look into books, magazines, etc. describing the history of your area. I still preach buying a good paper map of the target area. Get out into the country and drive around small roads with an eye for old buildings that you weren't looking for before. Rural exploration is sort of a crap shoot, but once in awhile you find a real gem.

One other thing. I'm from the boonies, and It's been my experience that if you see something cool in the country, stop and talk to the first person you see, and ask them if they know anything about the place. It's amazing how many times the person you just met is cousin to so and so, and he can get you into see some seriously cool stuff with permission.

Good hunting!

Edited twice cuz eye caint spel




[last edit 6/21/2016 5:17 AM by Jonsered - edited 2 times]

I have changed my personal exploring ethics code. From now on it will be: "Take only aimed shots, leave only hobo corpses." Copper scrappers, meth heads and homeless beware. The Jonsered cometh among you, bringing fear and dread.

heinrick 


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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 3 on 6/21/2016 6:27 AM >
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Like others have said, use trees, fences, and other visual obstructions to your advantage to keep yourself largely discreet and unseen. If it can't be helped, make an effort to at least look like yourself/your vehicle have another objective other than getting into the old house right nearby. Good neighbors are usually on the look-out, so try distance yourself from whatever they might think trouble looks like.

It really varies per location and circumstance. I often park in a conspicuous place and ride a bike or walk in. If you're photographing, take exterior shots last, after you've already trespassed to your heart's content.

Some people seem to have decent success with asking for permission from property owners. This usually includes agreed upon off-limit areas, pre-arranged visits, and a lot of respect. Like Jonsered suggested, asking the locals about it is a good start.




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Hoover 


Location: Michigan
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Quiet as a dang churchmouse

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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 4 on 6/21/2016 5:18 PM >
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Thanks guys. In my little town, a man just recently had a heart attack while driving and crashed through the wall of an abandoned house. The house turned out to have (roughly) 50,000 angry bees living inside it that made it impossible for anyone to rescue the driver.

Obviously not every house will be infested by 50,000 bees but it's a bit harrowing to know that that's a possibility. That and the bumpkins whose homes look abandoned but truly aren't.

Thanks again for the advice. As I figure out this forum I'll try and make a gallery with my rural finds, and then eventually I'll need some advice on tackling that factory




DescentOnARope 


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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 5 on 6/21/2016 5:58 PM >
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Posted by IntrepEd
Thanks guys. In my little town, a man just recently had a heart attack while driving and crashed through the wall of an abandoned house. The house turned out to have (roughly) 50,000 angry bees living inside it that made it impossible for anyone to rescue the driver.


What kind of gypsy curse is that?




YotaMan20 


Location: Washington
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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 6 on 6/21/2016 6:13 PM >
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As the other two said, asking permission is usually pretty successful but if you ask permission and arent granted then youre more likely to be arrested for trespassing so your best to leave them alone after a "no" in my opinion.

I asked a man in a VERY rural area recently, he told me that there was a rattle snake pit in the abandoned place and having two children and three adults, all wearing causal clothing we were glad I had asked. It can pay off in other ways as well.




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Peptic Ulcer 


Location: Katy, TX
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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 7 on 6/21/2016 6:32 PM >
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I'm all about social engineering. I'm too fat and old and have too much to risk by getting caught. Consequently, I do a lot of asking. One great source for finding locations is cops. Most towns with 2,000 or more people will have at least one. Cops know where the kids go to spray paint and party. You've got to make up your own story as to why you're there but make sure you have it down pat, and are prepared for any weird question they may throw at you. Also look them in the eye, DO NOT look down or away. Practice this. Not only do they know obscure locations, letting them know you're going in and why, helps to eliminate the "nosy neighbor" call and the parking question. The same is true for locals in a restaurant, convenience store or just out in the country.

I've done over 100 explores based on cops information, and not once had any trouble. In fact I've had police escorts, and a few months ago one even came with me!

The shotgun wielding country folk can be a danger (I've been shot at before while exploring and it's not fun). The real danger in this respect however are going to be grow houses and meth labs. Never stumbled onto one myself but I know people who have. Always let someone know where you're going, when you're going in and have a system for checking in. My wife knows to contact me 15 minutes after I say I'll be out. If she doesn't hear from me, she calls me, waits 10 minutes, try's again then calls the cops.

RUREX has its own sets of dangers and opportunities but can be extremely rewarding. Time, practice and experience are the best teacher but the most important thing to keep in mind is that any explore has to be based on risk vs reward.

Good luck, be safe and happy exploring!




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Explorer Zero 


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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 8 on 6/21/2016 6:32 PM >
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We have a rural exploration private forum here http://www.uer.ca/...id=1&catid=1000319

It not real active and the guy that moderates it has not logged on since 2013, we get enough questions about this topic its worth reviving I think. you may be able to just join it.

The dynamics are a lot different out here in the bush, a different skill set is required and if you look like a punk or even just an urban teenager you'll find most rural property owners especially ranchers and stockmen aren't going to help you in fact theyre most likely going to run you off and or call the sheriff, or worse.

I agree with most of what Jonsered says except my view nature is a little less adversarial. Rattlesnakes, steep climbs, prickly pears are all part of the deal city people need to figure out and deal with.

Youre going to stick out like a proverbial sore thumb slinking around most places within human view. Try to think like an indian or wear a feed store ball cap and for God's sake don't wear it backwards !




Hoover 


Location: Michigan
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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 9 on 6/21/2016 6:41 PM >
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What kind of gypsy curse is that?


The kind that gives our miniscule town something to be proud of

Guy 1: "I'm telling ya, we're the honey BBQ capital of the world!"
Guy 2: "Where I'm from, we've got the biggest insect museum this side of the Western Hemisphere. How about you?"
Me: "Well one time, a guy had a heart attack and crashed into a house infested with 50,000 bees".
Guy 2: So you're from one of those towns..

Luckily the bee incident happened when I was younger, otherwise I could be the one crawling through a window only to discover a strange yellow and black decorating scheme.




Hoover 


Location: Michigan
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Quiet as a dang churchmouse

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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 10 on 6/21/2016 6:48 PM >
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Thanks again everyone. I'll check out that RUREX forum and I'll check around with some locals. We get a lot of ghost hunters out here who I know can be full of info.





Hoover 


Location: Michigan
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Quiet as a dang churchmouse

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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 11 on 6/21/2016 7:02 PM >
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One great source for finding locations is cops.


Peptic, how would you suggest I go about approaching an officer? Our town police are kind of estranged from the community and take their speeding tickets very seriously. What is the best way to explain your intentions and get information without coming across as some punk who's looking for good spots to trespass? (I.E., an urban explorer )




Peptic Ulcer 


Location: Katy, TX
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"Isn't it fun - being bad?"

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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 12 on 6/22/2016 12:55 AM >
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A lot if it has to do with approach and as 2X said, appearance. Being an older guy with a nice car, I'm obviously not there to do any harm. I explain that I have an unusual hobby, I'm a serial trespasser. This always disarms a bit and I then explain that I'm looking for old abandoned building to photograph. About half the time I'm directed to some public historic building but after explaining what I'm after, they either give me a few locations or just say there's nothing there.

I have a black t-shirt that has an Urbex logo on it and I always have my camera with me if we're outside the police station (this shows I'm serious). I also tell them that I don't reveal my locations or publish anything because I don't want the locations trashed.

Looking like a punk, thug druggie (you know the stereotype) will get you nowhere. Dress for the occasion and if you have funky hair, wear a cap and hide it. Cops and rural folks are conservative and suspicious by nature. Be polite, respectful and look as honest as possible.

If you're young, a school project is always a good story. Make sure you have the details down. Trespassing on an active farm site is not advisable. If there's something cool, ask the owner - I bet you get more history and info on the site than you would ever find online or in a library. Which brings up my final point. Be patient. Country folks are used to a slower pace of life. Be prepared to listen to boring stories. Be polite, even ask questions. I've had more "no's" turn into "yes's" just because I was willing to listen to some old guy ramble on for 2 hours.




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YotaMan20 


Location: Washington
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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 13 on 6/22/2016 1:54 AM >
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Peptic, finally seeing you explain your police tactic this way, I'm going to give it a try.

I'd also like to point out that farmers are not only protective of their land and property but that of others as well.

If Bill the farmer sees you on dead farmer Joes land, he'll likely come have a chat with you.

A farm house and barn may look abandoned, but a neighbor farmer won't usually let that kind of thing go to waste. Just be aware of your surroundings.




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Explorer Zero 


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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 14 on 6/22/2016 2:52 AM >
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I was gonna rat Peptic out and reveal he is a middle age conservative looking white guy with a nice car he can park just about anywhere and approach just about anyone! But he beat me to it.

i.e. he has never been mistaken for a meth cook or copper scrapper...





Darendor 


Location: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy
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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 15 on 6/22/2016 8:39 AM >
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You know, I had the strangest sense of deja vu while reading the last few replies. As though I replied to this thread a year ago or something...


Anyways.


My modest opinion straight up is that approaching law enforcement and asking about abandoned locations is likely to place you on their radar. I mean, let's face it, UE involves (in most cases anyway) committing trespassing, which in and of itself won't likely land you in prison, but it can get you jailed in the short term and charged and having to pay a fine.


I'm not sure about Peptic Ulcer's method of approaching people and saying "Hi I'm a serial trespasser". He says it's disarming, but I feel it's the exact opposite. I'm not trying to argue with anyone, just presenting my viewpoint.

Asking for permission from property owners is probably as far as I would go in terms of trying to do an urban explore "legitimately". If they say yes, then terrific. But if they say no, then it's up to you to decide whether to respect their decision, or go ahead and ignore it and explore it "illegally".


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Peptic Ulcer 


Location: Katy, TX
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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 16 on 6/22/2016 12:08 PM >
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Darendor I agree with you! Asking cops can be incredibly risky and isn't a strategy for everyone. I've been in outside sales for almost 25 years and I'm extremely comfortable walking up to total strangers and trying to convince them to do what I want. It's not a skill everyone has but then again , you're not going to see me hiking 2 miles into a location, scaling a rope to take a photo on the edge of a building - not my skill set.

Prior to discovering this site and realizing that this was actually a thing, most of my explores were permitted. The cop thing I've only been doing for a couple of years and so far the only bad thing that's happened was bad or no information. However, I have also developed some very good relationships with cops in West Texas and in Katy where I live. The cops know who I am, know my car and what I do. As a result, I have almost zero chance of getting arrested for trespassing as they know me and know I just want some cool photos. In fact I've been told which buildings NOT to go into because of dangers or that the place is watched and they have to arrest me if I'm caught.

Social engineering isn't for everyone and trying it out on cops can be a high risk move. All cops are different, and all towns have their own vibe. It's up to each person to develop and determine their own skills and their own risk/reward paradigm.



[last edit 6/22/2016 11:08 PM by Peptic Ulcer - edited 1 times]

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Keaven 


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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 17 on 6/22/2016 12:35 PM >
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Posted by YotaMan20

I'd also like to point out that farmers are not only protective of their land and property but that of others as well.

If Bill the farmer sees you on dead farmer Joes land, he'll likely come have a chat with you.

A farm house and barn may look abandoned, but a neighbor farmer won't usually let that kind of thing go to waste. Just be aware of your surroundings.


Folks out in the rural areas are used to looking out for one another. They have to when they way out of town and have wait many minutes for a Deputy to arrive, should they need one.

And that ratty old barn? It may not be abandoned; it may contain $100,000 worth of agricultural equipment.




Rinzler 


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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 18 on 6/23/2016 9:47 PM >
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Posted by Peptic Ulcer
Darendor I agree with you! Asking cops can be incredibly risky and isn't a strategy for everyone. I've been in outside sales for almost 25 years and I'm extremely comfortable walking up to total strangers and trying to convince them to do what I want. It's not a skill everyone has but then again , you're not going to see me hiking 2 miles into a location, scaling a rope to take a photo on the edge of a building - not my skill set.

Prior to discovering this site and realizing that this was actually a thing, most of my explores were permitted. The cop thing I've only been doing for a couple of years and so far the only bad thing that's happened was bad or no information. However, I have also developed some very good relationships with cops in West Texas and in Katy where I live. The cops know who I am, know my car and what I do. As a result, I have almost zero chance of getting arrested for trespassing as they know me and know I just want some cool photos. In fact I've been told which buildings NOT to go into because of dangers or that the place is watched and they have to arrest me if I'm caught.

Social engineering isn't for everyone and trying it out on cops can be a high risk move. All cops are different, and all towns have their own vibe. It's up to each person to develop and determine their own skills and their own risk/reward paradigm.



I liked your original post better. You've clearly never explored outside of Texas or have done anything worthwhile if you think police will be ok with you breaking into something. They probably just wanted you to go away.




Peptic Ulcer 


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Re: Rural Explores and Parking
< Reply # 19 on 6/24/2016 12:55 AM >
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The original was changed in deference to you. As far as my exploring experience goes you couldn't be more wrong, however arguing with idiots is a waste of my time.




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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Rural Explores and Parking (Viewed 7331 times)
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