Posted by MysteriousExpedition click to view

I've walked over that one with no incident.

The people I was with weren't interested in trying.

Earlier this week I finally got into a structure I've been meaning to check out for years. Upstairs there is two pits with pulley systems dangling through them. They're about 20 to 25 foot drops. I was roaming through the place with minimal lighting and I came within about 6 feet of it before I realize what I had almost done. I know that doesn't seem like that close of a call but it still got me feeling a bit of anxiety.


Me and a buddy came back a few nights ago and used the pulley systems to seal off the holes with heavy duty wood paneling (there was floor "caps" laying near by) it was a pain in the ass beause even with the support of two pulley cranes the panels were heavy as shit to guide into their positions.

Posted by Radio2600 I've walked over that one with no incident. The people I was with weren't interested in trying.

Oh seriously?! I might try it out then. I was itching to go across but I was a little petrified. It seems like a nice way to peer over the edge and take photos.

I learned a lot going through the comments here. I pride myself on caution and safety but there are things I learned in the comments that I would never have known to look out for. I will be developing strategies to deal with falls and hellholes, such as bringing some climbing rope, anchor points and to have my Spot device handy... Very useful information here from your stories and experiences.

I like the way you think. You're to the point and teach a good lesson. I like that I have armored clothing which helps a lot with minor crawling or if something within reasonable weight were to fall on me. But absolutely nothing will protect me from a fall. I constantly look at the ground and what its made of and the condition its in.

these are thing i should probably be paying more attention to.

Honestly hellhole avoidance basically comes down to common sense and situational awareness. Avoid obviously collapsing floors and areas with water damage, walk over support beams and close to walls, test sketchy stairs and floors before putting your full weight on them, and remember that being a little overcautious never hurt anybody. Climbing equipment and sensors aren't necessary in all but the most extremely dilapidated structures, and at that point I honestly wouldn't even try it if it was that bad.

Hellholes: Not just for decayed floors.
This pit was 15 or 20 feet deep with garbage at the bottom and no way out, in a very dark room with otherwise solid concrete floors.
Somebody helpfully pulled off most of the flimsy plywood covering it.

I tend to be overly cautious when it comes to floors, but I haven’t fallen through one yet, so maybe there’s a correlation in there somewhere.

I worry about this a lot since I explore alone so often, my only real backup is my experience in climbing.

Posted by Fake I worry about this a lot since I explore alone so often, my only real backup is my experience in climbing.

Experience won’t get you very far with a broken ankle (or pick another body part)...

glad the snow's gone. there are too many rotten decks out there and the last thing someone needs is to step on the wrong snow covered blanket

Posted by Dee Ashley Experience won’t get you very far with a broken ankle (or pick another body part)...

too true my dude