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UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Exploring Alone: Final Checklist (Viewed 1030 times)
RDF427 


Location: Orlando, FL
Gender: Male


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Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
< on 10/17/2012 5:13 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
So I'm fairly new to exploring, only been at it for a few years and I really enjoy being in big open spaces with just a friend or two. But, due to conflicting schedules and so on and so forth I've had to go to a few places by myself.

When I go out I have a small list of things that I do

  • I call a friend and or verify with an SMS where I'm going and at what time
  • I equip my cargo pockets with Altoids-tins First Aid packs
  • Make sure to bring at least one phone charger
  • Extra batteries for my camera
  • I leave the place of where I'm going left up on my computer screen


These are the basic things I do, sometimes I might bring a little cash and bring a pocket knife that's been recently sharpened in case I might need it. I've never carried anything for protection, except when a friend came along and brought a baseball bat. He said it was for jammed doors, but he was pretty frightened of hobos so I don't know what his intentions were?

Do you use checklists? If so, what things do you never leave without? Have you ever left something behind that you really could've used, or do you have an idea for stuff to take? Tell me, and let's become newfriends.

Weirdlig 


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 1 on 10/17/2012 5:47 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Geeze, I've never done any of that. But then there's little worry of running into anyone who isn't going to arrest you here. Normally I just bring water and my phone.

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Freaktography 


Location: Burlington Ontario
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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 2 on 10/17/2012 5:55 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Weirdling
Geeze, I've never done any of that. But then there's little worry of running into anyone who isn't going to arrest you here. Normally I just bring water and my phone.


Hah, me neither - I tell no one where I'm going. If something ever happened to me my GF would have no idea where to find me!!!

Many explores I have no idea where I'm gonna go until I get there!!

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RDF427 


Location: Orlando, FL
Gender: Male


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 3 on 10/17/2012 6:02 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by rockandrollfreak


Hah, me neither - I tell no one where I'm going. If something ever happened to me my GF would have no idea where to find me!!!

Many explores I have no idea where I'm gonna go until I get there!!


I've made it a personal rule never to check anything out on the first trip. I live in Central Florida and the homeless have been kicked out of downtown and a lot took to some of the abandoned attractions on US 192. Usually when I encounter them, it's no big deal. They usually just bug me for money or tell me get out and leave them alone. We had one violent drunk once, but we were able to just walk away. Keyword: "we".

If I'm out by myself and the place has a good reputation, I've been prone to poke around for a while but I have over-protective parents who constantly check up on me (they absolutely hate that I live alone already), so I usually have to plan my adventures out a week ahead of time.

hedkace 


Location: MA
Gender: Male




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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 4 on 10/17/2012 6:30 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Yep, I follow along with the idiots who let no one know.
I've been in so many places at 2...3....4 in the morning by myself, pitch black......many times piss drunk.
No one ever had a fucking clue where I was. If I fell through the floor or any other bad shit happened, they'd probably still be looking for me.
Not too bright.
The fact you have a list already that you follow is light years ahead of a lot of us fools.
Safety first!!........except when alcohol and stupidity is involved.


Abby Normal 


Location: Las Vegas
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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 5 on 10/17/2012 6:48 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I usually try to leave a general direction if I don't have a specific location in mind. For me it's not unusual to travel 50 miles or more to some of the places I explore and they can be VERY remote. Becoming stranded in the desert during summer can quickly turn into a very dangerous situation. I've thought about getting a SPOT personal beacon, but just haven't ponied up the money.

I mean really, how much trouble can you get in solo exploring old abandoned mines?

Abby Normal

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Hertz 


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 6 on 10/17/2012 7:17 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I leave a sealed note with significant other, or a friend to only open if they haven't heard from me by the evening. (Inside I name the place, give the ball park GPS, and roughly the timetable for travelling.) It's a bit cloak & dagger, but on the one side they have deniability as to my whereabouts (in case of legal issues, we'll say), and on the other hand they have a little 'in case' envelope.

I try to keep where I'm going, and when pretty hush hush just in case... but in the event that something bad happens - ie stranded, injured, killed, locked up, etc - someone has my general whereabouts.

Most of the time locations are an all-day affair, so they are fairly planned out before we go. Hell sometimes if I know for sure I will be visiting a certain area I'll mention that in my "in case shit" note.

Gotta be careful, you never know when you'll run into a...


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RDF427 


Location: Orlando, FL
Gender: Male


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 7 on 10/17/2012 7:22 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
It's not like I don't ever go out exploring, I do enjoy scouting. Where I live is awesome for that, but said hobos with shotguns are encounters I would prefer not to have. I've got a pretty bad fear of spiders, so I carry sticks or batons with me to move Mr. Arachnid out of my way. (I don't smush them, just relocate them temporarily). But I doubt a lightweight plastic baton will keep the drunken masses at bay. I don't want to get caught with any weapons or anything more than maybe a special cigarette for roof-chillin'.

AnAppleSnail 


Location: Charlotte, NC
Gender: Male


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 8 on 10/17/2012 8:15 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Drunken masses won't listen to anything shorter than a steel pipe. We can't carry those, so get a very heavy tripod instead. Cheap ones are better because if they don't survive being thrown over a fence or swung at someone, it's less inconvenient. Honestly, you aren't very likely to be attacked when it would have been a fair fight. Hardly any of our members have been chased out at knife-point, or even disappeared without a trace.

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RDF427 


Location: Orlando, FL
Gender: Male


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 9 on 10/17/2012 9:27 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by AnAppleSnail
Hardly any




NotBatman 


Location: MSP
Gender: Male


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 10 on 10/18/2012 1:26 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I go out alone a lot, so I leave my maps with my wife and I'll text her the Ins and Outs as they come up.

For a checklist, though?

It's Literally:
Lights (including back-up lights and spare batts)
Camera (if it's that kind of trip)
Liquor/Beer
Knife

Everything else (that isn't specialized gear for something specific) is either already on my person or gravy.

I'm a "Leave only footprints, take only pornography" kind of guy, myself.
Asher0719 


Location: MSP
Gender: Female


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 11 on 10/19/2012 12:08 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
There's two separate final checklists I have. One is for what goes with me into the site and one is for what is in my car in case I need it.

What goes in with me is:
-2 flashlights (one small one larger)
-Extra batteries for flashlights
-Headlamp (if it's underground)
-Camera & tripod
-Water
-Gloves

What stays in my car:
-Camera's charger
-First aid stuff
-Jacket/sweatshirt

I think that's it. There are other items that can be useful, but more site-specific. There are some sites when you need to go in bare bones, and for me the list above is basically that.

~Asher
WEKurtz 


Location: Western MA
Gender: Male




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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 12 on 10/19/2012 12:21 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
My sense of direction sucks so I usually bring my "Backtracker" GPS in case I get disoriented.
'
Oh, and T.P. for your bunghole.
.................Kurtz

paulpa 

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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 13 on 10/19/2012 9:25 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
my checklist for exploring alone

[X] a friend.

being by yourself is idiotic and dangerous. I had a friend nearly lose her leg to an infection because she was rendered immobile and had a piece of metal tear through the tendons and legitimates.

randomesquephoto 




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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 14 on 10/19/2012 10:13 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
90% of my explored are done alone. I rarely get the chance to explore with others due to schedule conflicts. I thoroughly enjoy lone explores. I bring a camera. Flashlight. Water if I remember. And I have my cell phone. Which rarely helps. A lot of places I've been don't have cell reception.

Never had a problem. Biggest mistake I've made was forgetting an SD card and not realizing it until I was in a building. :/ I've forgotten flashlights before. My tripod. Broke my cell phone exploring ...

All fun times by myself. having others is fun too. But I've discovered how wonderful and serene it is to explore alone.

RIP Blackhawk
Anaklusmos 


Location: Where I want to be, not where I should be.
Gender: Male


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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 15 on 10/19/2012 10:41 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Exploring alone can be fun. But I would not say I prefer it. For one it's obviously more dangerous. I usually only explore alone cuz nobody is available. Scouting a loc is usually ok to do alone tho seeing as how it's usually just in and out. I've been doin this for ten years now and have never had a problem either alone or with someone, URBEX is fun alone or with a friend, you just gotta know how to handle whatever may arise.

Have fun, stay safe, NEVER stop exploring!

Fucking Spiders.....
paulpowers 


Location: Manchester, UK




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Re: Exploring Alone: Final Checklist
<Reply # 16 on 10/20/2012 6:58 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Lights, camera, tripod, drink and waders then I'm good to go



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UER Forum > Archived Rookie Forum > Exploring Alone: Final Checklist (Viewed 1030 times)



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