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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > When is it time to pass on a location? (Viewed 5570 times)
NickNick28 


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When is it time to pass on a location?
< on 5/24/2017 4:37 AM >
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I'm curious to see when both beginning and expert urban-explorers decide when it is time to say 'no' to a potentially decent location. This is mostly just out of curiosity, but I may want to know for future reference what I might want to look out for. Personally, I usually will skip a location if it's popular among homeless or drug abusers, since they can be unpredictable, and occasionally if the area is too well guarded.




Aran 


Location: Kansas City
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Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 1 on 5/24/2017 7:08 AM >
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When the first wrecking ball hits.

But in all seriousness, I have a few criteria for deciding when to permanently pass on a location.

If I need to break or remove something to get in, I'll pass on it until an opening appears, either naturally or by someone else's hand. Nothing I've found has ever been worth a B&E charge.

If it's too dangerous to access. I've passed up on a few locations, such as the roof of Agriculture Hall at UW Madison because access would require climbing around an unclimbable security fence via the thin supports of a rusty fire escape four stories up, on the outside of the fire escape. At that point, there is a non-insignificant risk of severe injury or death. There's plenty of rooftops out there, but I've only got one life.

If it's a hotbed of drug activity- I'm talking about drug dens, or even worse- drug labs. I've been fortunate enough that I have not run into either, and I hope it stays that way.

Lastly, if it's too heavily secured. This can take the form of regular guard patrols, or just a sophisticated security setup. A prime local example of this is the rooftop of Bascom Hall at UW Madison. Located on the top of Bascom Hill overlooking State Street, the rooftop images I've found online are gorgeous. However, the university has installed laser grid motion detectors and possibly night vision cameras, all hooked up to an auto alert server with a direct line to the UW Police Department. It's just too well secured to risk arrest.

Other then that, there's not a lot that would cause me to give up on a location permanently. I can be patient- I've waited years to access some locations, and I'll probably wait several more for others. That's okay. And, if by some stroke of luck, the conditions change enough that they no longer fulfill the four criteria I've listed above? I'd happily explore such locations.




"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 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 2 on 5/24/2017 7:49 AM >
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I keep visiting a location after demolition, and document the demolition process until buildings are gone and then keep going back to photograph the landscape.

This to me doesn't stop being interesting.


After construction begins, I still would consider sneaking back in and climbing a crane. I'll almost certainly stop visiting once the new apartments are finished and populated.




stealthwraith 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 3 on 5/24/2017 1:05 PM >
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I pass if it requires skills I don't possess to enter. I'm a really shitty climber so if it's a lot of climbing I wait for another entry to appear. I have also waited years to explore a place; I'll "stalk" a building or a place until I know it's ins and outs so when an opening appears I'm ready!

I let openings exist without my assistance, unless it exists but needs a little augmentation before I can actually use it - I'll help a hole get a little bigger every now and then cause hips don't lie.

I do my best to avoid known squatting or cooking spots. I only failed at this once and it wasn't worth it as an explore really. Im good at watching my back and having whackadoodle conversations but the place wasn't worth the effort or risk at all.

My advice is use your judgement and instincts. It's better to wait or skip something than to get caught, injured or worse!




Stealth: adj. designed in accordance with technology that makes detection difficult. Wraith: n. A wisp or faint trace of something
Dee Ashley 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 4 on 5/24/2017 3:53 PM >
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Pass on a place when your gut tells you to do so.
Listen to your gut (i.e., instincts), and you will be grateful you did, I promise.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
Dee Ashley 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 5 on 5/24/2017 3:58 PM >
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Posted by Steed
I keep visiting a location after demolition, and document the demolition process until buildings are gone and then keep going back to photograph the landscape.

This to me doesn't stop being interesting.
http://www.daehanm...70430bamgol/77.jpg

After construction begins, I still would consider sneaking back in and climbing a crane. I'll almost certainly stop visiting once the new apartments are finished and populated.


I like the way you think, Steed!




I wandered till the stars went dim.
NeuroticMatt 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 6 on 5/24/2017 4:02 PM >
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Posted by Dee Ashley
Pass on a place when your gut tells you to do so.
Listen to your gut (i.e., instincts), and you will be grateful you did, I promise.


I listen to my gut a lot.

Me: "I bet I can fit through that window."

Gut: "Nope."

Me: "I bet I can climb over that obstacle!"

Gut: "Nope."

Me; "I bet I can..."

Gut: "Feed me."

Me: "...find a good place to eat."



But yeah, I am not the most physically able guy. So if I have to do more than duck a little or go over a nice ladder like gate it might be a no go.


Because, tacos.




NickNick28 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 7 on 5/24/2017 7:39 PM >
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Posted by Dee Ashley
Pass on a place when your gut tells you to do so.
Listen to your gut (i.e., instincts), and you will be grateful you did, I promise.


I should really consider this advice, I sometimes throw judgement out the window and try to force myself to go somewhere hardly standing.

Unless I'm in a group, I'm usually more careful if I'm putting more than just myself at risk.





Landser 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 8 on 5/24/2017 7:43 PM >
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As others have said, I rely on my gut instincts. Its your best sense. If someone thinks I'm being a wuss, so be it. But I listen to my gut. I love exploring abandoned buildings but I don't wanna risk potentially ruining my life because I was too reckless. It just takes one mistake to ruin your life in this hobby.




Before jumping to conclusions, I'm not a Nazi.
Dee Ashley 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 9 on 5/24/2017 10:00 PM >
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The reason I know the gut advice is true is because my gut told me one thing and I did the opposite. I'm still paying the hardest price I've ever had to pay For that mistake. I have other personal experiences that serve as reminders to me about this pearl of wisdom, but the "urbex related" one I mentioned in the first sentence is by far the most poignant example for me. We don't always know "why," logically, but our instincts will serve us without always revealing any reasons. I promise, going with your instinct is far less aversive than having to live with hind-sight!




I wandered till the stars went dim.
stealthwraith 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 10 on 5/24/2017 10:11 PM >
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Posted by Dee Ashley
The reason I know the gut advice is true is because my gut told me one thing and I did the opposite. I'm still paying the hardest price I've ever had to pay For that mistake. I have other personal experiences that serve as reminders to me about this pearl of wisdom, but the "urbex related" one I mentioned in the first sentence is by far the most poignant example for me. We don't always know "why," logically, but our instincts will serve us without always revealing any reasons. I promise, going with your instinct is far less aversive than having to live with hind-sight!



I could not agree more with this! Every time I've ignored my gut I've paid for it or regretted it completely.




Stealth: adj. designed in accordance with technology that makes detection difficult. Wraith: n. A wisp or faint trace of something
Aran 


Location: Kansas City
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Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 11 on 5/25/2017 12:19 AM >
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Posted by Dee Ashley
The reason I know the gut advice is true is because my gut told me one thing and I did the opposite. I'm still paying the hardest price I've ever had to pay For that mistake.


If you're willing to answer, what happened? If you don't, that's okay.




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

Kate__ 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 12 on 5/25/2017 1:51 AM >
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There's a few things that determine whether or not ill "pass" on a location, the biggest of them being security and cops. As a college student graduating in less than a year I'm not about to ruin my future career aspects just yet. Granted there are some places I go with security, but I usually go there a few times before hand to try and get a good grasp on security's schedule and where they linger before going inside a building.

Also I check the perimeter of most buildings before going in, especially if part of the building is falling apart. The last thing I want is to climb in through a window and fall through the floor. When doing this we usually tend to stay quiet and listen for any kind of noises coming from the building in hopes of avoiding druggies or squatters (so far no run ins).

Finally, I'm not sure if this really qualifies as a reason or not, but my own personal rule is to never go alone and never go with someone who is super uncomfortable with this "hobby". Although this doesn't make me pass on locations permanently, I will gladly wait awhile until I find someone willing and comfortable enough to go. Much like the not wanting to climb into a window and fall through the floor, I wouldn't want something to happen and not have a friend there to help.




Dee Ashley 


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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 13 on 5/25/2017 3:42 PM >
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Posted by Aran


If you're willing to answer, what happened? If you don't, that's okay.



http://www.uer.ca/...id=1&msgid=1877822

I'm pretty sure the above thread is public.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
Stam 


Location: Utah, U.S.A
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Did you hear that?

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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 14 on 5/25/2017 7:17 PM >
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If (risk > reward) { dontTry(); }
Else { try(); }




Let me in.
Landser 


Location: Fremont, CA
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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 15 on 5/25/2017 11:23 PM >
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Posted by Stam
If (risk > reward) { dontTry(); }
Else { try(); }



What?




Before jumping to conclusions, I'm not a Nazi.
blackhawk 

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UER newbie

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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 16 on 5/26/2017 12:21 AM >
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When the cops know you by name and it isn't on a friendly basis...




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


Location: Kansas City
Gender: Male
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Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 17 on 5/26/2017 1:05 AM >
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Posted by Dee Ashley

http://www.uer.ca/...id=1&msgid=1877822

I'm pretty sure the above thread is public.

Wow, that really sucks. Is there any chance of getting permission to explore the property again, or is it off limits for good? In any case, sorry that happened to you.


Posted by Landser
What?


It's written as a piece of computer code. Java, if I'm recognizing the language right. Translated to common tongue, it reads "If the risk is greater than the reward, do not try. Else (if risk is lesser than reward) try it."




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

Landser 


Location: Fremont, CA
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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 18 on 5/26/2017 3:36 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk
When the cops know you by name and it isn't on a friendly basis...


Better than a mob boss knowing you by name on anon friendly basis.




Before jumping to conclusions, I'm not a Nazi.
DarkAngel 


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His operating system is unstable.

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Re: When is it time to pass on a location?
< Reply # 19 on 5/26/2017 4:34 AM >
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Like the other guys have said, listen to your gut. If something feels weird, bail. That includes pretty much everything from debating stepping on this water soaked floor to wondering if that white car over there is a cop car or some random dude.

Skill vs location
Ease in ingress/egress and number of locations
State of location
Contamination types if any
Gear you'd need vs odds of getting it into the location
etc

Trying to do something outside your skill set (for example I haven't rappelled in a decade) can get you killed. Me trying to ascend and rappel down an old power plant stack is a bad idea.

If you can get in and out in several spots, good. If there is only one guaranteed in/out, I usually pass unless it's a guaranteed thing. No point in getting trapped, blocked in if something falls, etc.

Rotting floors vs concrete vs half rusted ladders (pretty sure we had a member fall to their death on the ladder one ) etc. If it looks really shitty, pass. Bring a 'poking stick' if you are the slightest bit iffy on floors. Dowel, broom handle, etc. If it's squishy, I pass. No point in falling through a floor into god knows what.

Asbestos, gasses, etc. Those take prep to handle and if you don't know your shit, you can potentially die on site. Even knowing my hazmat stuff, I don't go into situations that have gasses and try to avoid asbestos.




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > When is it time to pass on a location? (Viewed 5570 times)
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