forums
new posts
donate
UER Store
events
location db
db map
search
members
faq
terms of service
privacy policy
register
login




1 2  
UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Urban Exploring the Legal Way (Viewed 8081 times)
_Doc 


Location: Central Maryland
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 20 likes




 |  | 
Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< on 11/29/2016 10:30 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
So I was wondering how would one explore without worrying about getting arrested. I googled and found these.

1. Stick to historic sites
2. Ask permission
3. Contact the police
4. Arrange a tour
5. Don't call yourself an urban explorer
6. Don't bring tools other than a camera
7. Don't take souvenirs
8. Don't enter a place with a "No Trespassing" sign
9. Enter buildings that are viewed as abandoned by law (Doesn't always work)


Six and seven are kinda obvious with any exploration.
What are your opinions on this list? Have anything else to add?

Link:
http://weburbanist...ical-abandonments/
http://adventure.h...ned-buildings1.htm

Side note: Wasn't sure if this belonged in the rookie forum or main.
Thank you for moving it. Sorry, will try to be more accurate with my locations of posts.



[last edit 11/30/2016 5:20 PM by _Doc - edited 1 times]

jeepdave 


Location: Anderson, SC
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 1303 likes


It's also a gun.

 |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 1 on 11/29/2016 11:04 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Rookie forum honestly. There are legal ways, I've typically stuck to those with a few weeks exceptions.




Ezekiel 25:17
Peptic Ulcer 


Location: Katy, TX
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 838 likes


"Isn't it fun - being bad?"

 |  |  | Flickr
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 2 on 11/29/2016 11:05 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Yes.

Some of my favorite explores have been permitted, however nothing beats the adrenaline rush from an unauthorized explore. My personal attitude is that if you're on a "tour" or didnt have to social engineer your way into a location then it's not Exploration.

We all have a different perspective of risk vs reward and permitted explores can be great for a lot of reasons however if your risk tolerance for arrest is zero, then unless you are a master at social engineering, you can't call yourself an explorer.




See More on Flickr!
https://www.flickr...tos/133983270@N06/
blackhawk 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.


Location: Mission Control
Total Likes: 3996 likes


UER newbie

 |  |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 3 on 11/29/2016 11:15 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
1. Stick to historic sites
Really? I'd rather do industrial sites.

2. Ask permission 
Yes, well... some times it's not possible to.

3. Contact the police
Umm, NO! Unless I have good reason.

4. Arrange a tour
I -hate- tourists...

5. Don't call yourself an urban explorer
Who does? Seph Braless?

6. Don't bring tools other than a camera
Umm I always bring my knife.

7. Don't take souvenirs
Sorry, if I run into Traci at a site, I'm taking her.

8. Don't enter a place with a "No Trespassing" sign
Too late...

9. Enter buildings that are viewed as abandoned by law (Doesn't always work)
Always has for me...

meh, sounds like bum info to me.




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
_Doc 


Location: Central Maryland
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 20 likes




 |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 4 on 11/29/2016 11:34 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Post by jeepdave
Rookie forum honestly. There are legal ways, I've typically stuck to those with a few weeks exceptions.


Alright. Sorry about that ^^'

Posted by Peptic Ulcer
We all have a different perspective of risk vs reward and permitted explores can be great for a lot of reasons however if your risk tolerance for arrest is zero, then unless you are a master at social engineering, you can't call yourself an explorer.


Well, so far my 3 explorations were not given permission. I don't think I have mastered social engineering yet.

Posted by blackhawk
meh, sounds like bum info to me.


What does bum info mean?




Steed 


Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 2650 likes


Your Friendly Neighbourhood Race Traitor

 |  |  | Daehanmindecline
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 5 on 11/30/2016 1:36 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by _Doc
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way

5. Don't call yourself an urban explorer


Pretty much, yeah.

Some people can't hack it and shouldn't be trusted to take responsibility for themselves in abandoned places; for them, there's this list.




Aran 


Location: Kansas City
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 1839 likes


Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

 |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 6 on 11/30/2016 4:34 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by blackhawk
5. Don't call yourself an urban explorer
Who does? Seph Braless?


Yep. If I have to explain myself for whatever reason, I'll call myself an amateur photographer instead. Most people don't know what the term "urban exploration" is, and people don't like feeling out of the loop. When people are made to feel stupid or ignorant, they get defensive and uncooperative.

But amateur photography? That's self explanatory, doesn't sound pretentious, and has fairly positive connotations.

Of course, not having to justify yourself at all is even better, but sometimes it's unavoidable.




"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.

Steed 


Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 2650 likes


Your Friendly Neighbourhood Race Traitor

 |  |  | Daehanmindecline
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 7 on 11/30/2016 8:12 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by Aran


Yep. If I have to explain myself for whatever reason, I'll call myself an amateur photographer instead. Most people don't know what the term "urban exploration" is, and people don't like feeling out of the loop. When people are made to feel stupid or ignorant, they get defensive and uncooperative.

But amateur photography? That's self explanatory, doesn't sound pretentious, and has fairly positive connotations.

Of course, not having to justify yourself at all is even better, but sometimes it's unavoidable.


This is correct, but I'm taking "don't call yourself an urban explorer" to have a broader meaning in one's identity, not just when stopped by cops.

If you only obey these rules, I don't think you're an urban explorer.




Explorer Zero 


Total Likes: 2026 likes




 |  |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 8 on 11/30/2016 1:06 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by _Doc


Well, so far my 3 explorations were not given permission. I don't think I have mastered social engineering yet.





Easy, "social engineering" is widely misunderstood but for many, it just means discarding your ethics and lying to people.

Like most hobbies or sports, you get out of this what you put in to this. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Or maybe just stick to drains.





Steed 


Location: Edmonton/Seoul
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 2650 likes


Your Friendly Neighbourhood Race Traitor

 |  |  | Daehanmindecline
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 9 on 11/30/2016 2:50 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by 2Xplorations


Easy, "social engineering" is widely misunderstood but for many, it just means discarding your ethics and lying to people.

Like most hobbies or sports, you get out of this what you put in to this. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Or maybe just stick to drains.




Im not convinced it means discarding ethics. It could mean just pretending to be on the phone when you walk past security. I use my journalistic credentials to try to open doors sometimes, despite not going there for work. Nothing criminal or that would get someone fired, though social engineering could resort to that in other hands.



[last edit 11/30/2016 2:50 PM by Steed - edited 1 times]

Explorer Zero 


Total Likes: 2026 likes




 |  |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 10 on 11/30/2016 3:21 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by Steed


Im not convinced it means discarding ethics. It could mean just pretending to be on the phone when you walk past security. I use my journalistic credentials to try to open doors sometimes, despite not going there for work. Nothing criminal or that would get someone fired, though social engineering could resort to that in other hands.


Not what I mean. I mean the guys that claim to be something theyre not so the local sheriffs deputy or property manager lets them in or gives them a tour. To me that's not a clever deception like you have described. Me and my friends have used the hard hat and clip board routine or WFAA TV hat more than once, not to gain permission though but to avoid suspicion after getting in.

If I came to your restaurant lets say, told you I was a health inspector and you permitted me into in your kitchen then I shot some pics and posted them on UER as an "exploration" would you say Im a social engineer or a fraud?

I think the rookie OP is too wrapped up on the name urban explorer, it means so much (and so little) to so many people now. Ive seen arguments right here on this site about ethics and have concluded that like the rest of society they have become rare if not meaningless. But Im not the judge of that just offering my $0.02

Sorry if I was less than clear.




Deuterium 


Location: PNW
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 290 likes




 |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 11 on 2/7/2017 11:16 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by 2Xplorations


Easy, "social engineering" is widely misunderstood but for many, it just means discarding your ethics and lying to people.

Like most hobbies or sports, you get out of this what you put in to this. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Or maybe just stick to drains.


Posted by Steed

Im not convinced it means discarding ethics. It could mean just pretending to be on the phone when you walk past security. I use my journalistic credentials to try to open doors sometimes, despite not going there for work. Nothing criminal or that would get someone fired, though social engineering could resort to that in other hands.


Every sub culture including UE has their own code of ethics. Disguising themselves as urban explorers to carry out "criminal" activity or covertly assist others do those things aren't part of urban exploration. Like most hobbies and sports, a few bad apples fuck it up.

One can be a hiking enthusiast as well as a spot finder for a sketchy construction business looking for sick dumping spots even if he does not do the dumping himself. He's still a hiking enthusiast but knowingly help another do things despised by most hikers. Is he acting unethical or tarnishing UE?




[last edit 2/8/2017 5:51 AM by Deuterium - edited 2 times]

Explorer Zero 


Total Likes: 2026 likes




 |  |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 12 on 2/8/2017 6:14 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
maybe pretty soon copper thieves will be posing as urban explorers:

"no officer I am not stealing metal, Im here to take pictures of toilets and peeling paint, see heres my camera"




blackhawk 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.


Location: Mission Control
Total Likes: 3996 likes


UER newbie

 |  |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 13 on 2/8/2017 7:05 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by 2Xplorations
maybe pretty soon copper thieves will be posing as urban explorers:

"no officer I am not stealing metal, Im here to take pictures of toilets and peeling paint, see heres my camera"


Lol, "I only carry these pry bars, bolt cutters, gas powered cut off wheel etc for emergencies..."




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Deuterium 


Location: PNW
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 290 likes




 |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 14 on 2/10/2017 12:08 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by blackhawk


Lol, "I only carry these pry bars, bolt cutters, gas powered cut off wheel etc for emergencies..."


Posted by 2Xplorations
maybe pretty soon copper thieves will be posing as urban explorers:

"no officer I am not stealing metal, Im here to take pictures of toilets and peeling paint, see heres my camera"


Unfortunately there are unscrupulous straw 'explorers' who identifies more with activities that damage exploration despite having overlapping interest in exploring.

They might show puzzling reluctance to join permitted explores that many photographers and genuine explorers consider as a wonderful opportunity. The straw type visibly look disappointed when they realize it's not feasible for him or his partners to come back later to loot or sabotage.

They do odd things like take obscene amounts of photos without any concern for composition or quality and take many 360 degree videos on a mobile field data terminal like iPhone® 6 to quickly share information on their secret social media accounts followed by people looking for squat spots, places to destroy and things to loot and destroy UE. Usual symptoms are locations that were prestine for years quickly turns to crap or gutted shortly after social media leak.

Sometimes those explorers bring a photographer's camera as a cover.

When those explorers indirectly cause sketchy late night locate crew and scrappers follow visits, they cause ordinary people to have poor opinion of urban explorers.



[last edit 2/10/2017 11:18 PM by Deuterium - edited 1 times]

blackhawk 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.


Location: Mission Control
Total Likes: 3996 likes


UER newbie

 |  |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 15 on 2/10/2017 5:09 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by Deuterium

By the way those explorers might bring a photographer's camera as a cover.

When those explorers indirectly cause sketchy late night locate crew and scrappers follow visits, they cause ordinary people to have poor opinion of urban explorers.



It's all in how you look and carry/present yourself. I've gotten into places without hardly a word and shot dozens of people with just a nod and gesture with the cam.
I'm a WYSIWYG kind of person. Being straight forward and honest with people goes a long way...




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Doug 


Gender: Male
Total Likes: 769 likes




 |  |  | Cave Clan Australia
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 16 on 2/10/2017 7:31 AM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
I don't know what is urbex and what isn't, but i definitely don't feel like I'm urbexing if i have permission. I feel like I'm touristing

Probably just me though - it's all urbex isnt it?

When I went to Paris I only did the non-tour catacombs. The same with the third man tunnels in Vienna.

Cheers




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


Total Likes: 2026 likes




 |  |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 17 on 2/10/2017 10:15 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by Doug
I don't know what is urbex and what isn't, but i definitely don't feel like I'm urbexing if i have permission. I feel like I'm touristing

Probably just me though - it's all urbex isnt it?


Cheers


Nope, youre not alone sir, and I really don't care what others do or what they call it now but I think the term has become diluted from its origins over time.





blackhawk 

This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.


Location: Mission Control
Total Likes: 3996 likes


UER newbie

 |  |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 18 on 2/10/2017 11:11 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Posted by 2Xplorations


Nope, youre not alone sir, and I really don't care what others do or what they call it now but I think the term has become diluted from its origins over time.




Permission with free reign is the cat's ass of exploring. It's extremely hard to do; you need advance social engineering infiltration skills to do it on a consistent basis.
You need to prove you can handle yourself and the situation. Once you get to that point, you belong and are part of the crew.
Free to line up killer shots and even shoot the demo if you choose.
Plus invites to other sites if you played it right.
I'm still on friendly terms with these people today after almost 10 years.

More than one way to skin the cat.




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Deuterium 


Location: PNW
Gender: Male
Total Likes: 290 likes




 |  | 
Re: Urban Exploring the Legal Way
< Reply # 19 on 2/10/2017 11:50 PM >
Reply with Quote
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
Someone that's been hit by scrappers or had construction debris dumped on their property are going to suspicious of anyone coming to their turf than someone who's not been fucked with.

There's been a few scrappers here who pretended to be "explorers". People like those make exploration tough for everyone else. It's become diluted but not so diluted to be friendly to those casing or "exploring" for opportunity to steal or cause damage.




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Urban Exploring the Legal Way (Viewed 8081 times)
1 2  


Add a poll to this thread



This thread is in a public category, and can't be made private.



All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site: UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service | View Privacy Policy | Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 140 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 736991227 pages have been generated.