I stumbled across UER while googling a location that I had heard rumours of, and I had no idea there was the term "urban exploration" for what I was doing.
A couple of months later, I was starting to meet up with the people who would become my best friends - and still are 13 years later. Some of my favourite experiences in my lifetime wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for this website and the great folks I've met.
"Adventure is the respectful pursuit of trouble." - Expedition Overland
I was young, and stumbled on this website. What I ended up finding was a great community full of fantastic urbex, drama, hilarity and friendship. I always end up finding my way back here to peruse the forums. Urban exploring has turned into a life long passion and I love being able to share that with so many like minded amazing folks!
My first explore was about 20 years ago, few years laters, I found this forum while browing. It has given a name to what I was doing. Knowing other peoples did the same motivated me to go out even more.
Thanks to every one who's keeping UER alive. I don't post much but I sure enjoy visiting. In those times of instant reward, with all the facebooks, instagrams and tiktoks, I appreciate more and more this community.
A couple of years ago it wouldn’t have taken me 2 weeks to see and post on a thread like this. Life moves on. Sigh.
I’m coming up to 14 years here and I’ve met a ton of people who still mean a lot to me. l learned a ton about photography (I’m still not that good but I’m better than I was). I learned a ton about people who were 20 or so years younger than me - almost all of it good!
I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to Av, except for one time when I saw and recognized him at Nuit Blanche (?) and I yelled “hey, Av!” as I passed him (and he smiled at me with a “and who the fuck are you?” face, but I’m truly thankful that he created this crazy little place. I didn’t explore as much as some but I saw a bunch of really cool places and had a bunch of memories that I’ll always cherish.
While I only recently joined this forum, I am very thankful to have found it.
It helped me know the name of a hobby I have had for a while and it has helped me learn more. I am very thankful to the people who are here now and those who have posted in the past.
It's crazy that it's been that long. I definitely don't get out as much anymore as I would like. Especially with a lot of Denver's great exploring places being demolished, but I love seeing everyone's photos and enjoy seeing new people get into the hobby.
“You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try.” - Homer Simpson
Not sure I could possibly recall a favorite forum memory (though Avchat had its moments). I'm very thankful to have met all the amazing people that I did from off this site back so many years ago, most notably at meetups in Hamilton and Toronto in the mid 2000's. I haven't been active in the hobby in almost a decade now and may not ever be again because of a recent injury that severely limits my mobility but the memories and photos that I have left are enough to last a lifetime.
Thank you to Av and everyone else who has been involved in the operation of the forum over the years. This is a truly unique and wonderful community.
I found this site about 3 months ago. I had stumbled into an old steel mill with some friends, and after a few visits, I was hooked and wanted more. I thought it was just as easy as looking up locations to go, and that I would never have to deal with security, or cops, and I had no idea what I was getting into. I saw a link to UER on a blog post, and I can't say how glad I am that I did. This place taught me everything I needed when I was first starting out and introduced me to a group of people that is welcoming, supportive, and a great resource for me starting out. Having hit 50 locations in almost 4 months, bring chased out by the cops 4 times, security twelve, dogs three, and threatened by a property owner twice, and made hundreds of lasting memories, I can't express how much this site sent me on a path that has kept me alive and makes me have great hope for the future. Here's to 20 more years, I hope I can hitch along for the ride.
Posted by razzyt Having hit 50 locations in almost 4 months, bring chased out by the cops 4 times, security twelve, dogs three, and threatened by a property owner twice, and made hundreds of lasting memories, I can't express how much this site sent me on a path that has kept me alive and makes me have great hope for the future. Here's to 20 more years, I hope I can hitch along for the ride.
Oh man I'm quite jealous you've been able to get to near 50 locations
Seeing that 17 year star under my name is crazy, y'all.
I've met some of my best friends through this website. Thanks for everything, Av.
[last edit 7/21/2022 12:38 AM by SaraBellum - edited 1 times] [01:47:56] <GreyDeath> Sara just stares her enemies into submission and eventually madness
"You can either be wise or a bad-ass gangsta, but not both. You must choose your path." ~~metawaffle
Ethics
