Infiltration

Curious_George location: Cambridge Gender: Male Straight outta New Bedlam \|	I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. < on 9/11/2004 2:55 AM >

	Abandoned buildings lure urban explorers Winnipeg Free Press - Sunday September 5, 2004 CURIOUS George unfolded his tripod and let out a low whistle. Of the 80 or so abandoned buildings the university student has snuck into, the musty James Avenue pumping station was among the most impressive. Beams of sunlight from the soon-to-be boarded up upper windows reveal the massive vintage machinery that once provided high-pressure water for firefighters. The clean-cut 19-year-old snaps photos, thumbs through dusty papers and doesn't hesitate to duck into pitch-black storage rooms and deep pits. "I've never seen anything quite like it before," he said. "Everything is so intact, like the people working here upped and walked away. It's just like being an archeologist. That's one of the main reasons I explore, to relive history." Curious George, the name he uses as an alias online, is one of a handful of Winnipeggers who call themselves urban explorers. They secretly infiltrate abandoned and crumbling warehouses, apartments and tunnels, sharing photos and trading secrets from their illicit hobby with enthusiasts in other cities through websites. George doesn't want his real name to be used, for fear he will get into trouble for trouble. Until recently, the James Avenue pumping house was on the top of the list of historic sites George hadn't seen because it is so well locked up. Although he will break trespassing laws to get into a building, he usually asks for permission first, and with the pump station he not only go the OK, but an escort. His web-site - winnipeg.urbex.ca - could be the only repository of detailed photographs of dozens of Winnipeg landmarks destined for demolition or massive renovations, from the Eatons Powerhouse, soon to become a restaurant, to the recently gutted International Fiberboard and Manitoba Cold Storage buildings now being torn down. Finding your way into places you're not supposed to be is an age-old activity. One web-site called Infiltration.org dates urban exploration back to 1793, when Philibert Aspairt, with only candles to light the way, got lost in the catacombs of Paris. George says his parents snuck him into empty buildings when he was a toddler. But he didn't get hooked until two years ago when he hopped a fence and crawled through a broken window to explore the Eaton's building before it was torn down. He didn't have a camera for his first "mission," but now he doesn't go without one. "I kind of felt this sense of awe and wonder. You feel like a true explorer, a voyageur, going to this place that you aren't supposed to go," he said. "But I also felt a sense of sorrow because here is this beautiful buildings being torn down." The experience launched a hobby with made-for-the-movies moments - shimmying up the elevator shaft to the top floor of the soon-to-be-bulldozed Ogilive Mill, taking in the downtown lights from a rooftop couch on the Manitoba Cold Storage Building, and surviving the collapse of a stairwell in downtown's Mitchell Copp building. While exploring the James Avenue pumphouse, he wasn't fazed by cool drips from above of what turned out to be just water. "At least it's not sewage," he said. "Once, in this apartment block, the sewage was leaking through the walls. I put my hand on the wall, the drywall caved in and I was covered in raw sewage. Its also pretty bad with pigeons, too. They get really scared and they start releasing their load." George usually works solo, and while he has met three other people in Winnipeg who share his hobby, he says he is lazy about organizing group trips. He doesn't put all the buildings he's explored on his web-site, especially if he thinks there are items inside people might want to steal. Unlike some explorers, George never explains on the site how he got inside, and he often disguises the location and name of the building to protect it. The recent fires at International Fiberboard and Manitoba Cold Storage, both featured in detail on his site, prompted to take down most of his content on his web-site until he figures out out how to share his photos with others without encouraging mischief-makers or arsonists. He's not interested in souvenirs or causing trouble. The un-official slogan of urban explorers is: "Take only photos, leave only footprints." Trespassing is a provincial offence in Manitoba, subject to a fine of up to $25. While Calgary police have recently chastised urban explorers, a spokesman for Winnipeg Police said he had never heard of people sneaking into buildings just to take photos. "That's interesting," said Const. Al Akre. "Generally, when you come across kids in a building, they are usually wrecking the place or running around." But Arke warned that not only is such activity trespassing, its also dangerous because abandoned buildings are usually boarded up because they are unsafe. Curious George doesn't see anything wrong with his hobby. "Everyone breaks laws. I see trespassing as minor, like speeding. I am doing it for a good cause. I am trying to preserve history here." Downtown boosters hope the James Avenue pumping station, currently a dusty, boarded up relic, will one day be restored and turned into lofts or shopping. Construction will begin this winter on hundreds of condos on empty lots and parking lots next door. George says it's becoming rare to find a truly abandoned building in Winnipeg, but restoring them is better than tearing them down. Right now, crews are ripping down one of George's favorite exploring spots, the Manitoba Cold Storage building on Higgins Avenue, which has been the target of arsonists. "When it burnt down, I pretty much lost a gasket," he said. "It was heart-wrenching to me. Its hard to understand, but I have so many memories tied to it that I understood the building, how it breathes." For more information on urban exploration, check out: www.uer.ca

DjMalign location: Fort Collins, CO Gender: Male Sexy, sexy, sexy \| \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 1 on 9/11/2004 3:09 AM >

	hmm. On one hand I want to say good for you, but on the other hand I kind of feel nervous about people in the newspaper reading about infiltration and the UER. My personal feelings are that i'd rather people not learn about this activity in the mainstream. Rather, enthusiasts find it on their own like we all have. I hate all of you

Mark Very Noble Donor location: South Carolina Gender: Male What is a lion, king of the savannah, when hes at the south pole? \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 2 on 9/11/2004 3:42 AM >

	Without plublicity, no one will understand. Without good press, no one will have anything to out way bad press. George despite what anyone else says, keep up the good work! "If the threat level goes up its probably because of me." "I am looking for a girl who enjoys headbutting beltbuckles"

MatC Nobler Donor location: ENY Gender: Male Accepted everywhere \| \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 3 on 9/11/2004 4:31 AM >

	I'd say that as newspaper articles go, this one is about as good as it gets. Sure they get in their digs trying to make UE'rs seem like rebellious ninja-types: "trading secrets from their illicit hobby with enthusiasts in other cities through websites," and "a hobby with made-for-the-movies moments," but overall they gave a lot of time to the idea that UE is about exploration, not about tagging or vandalism. I think it's kind of funny, though, that the police officer they interviewed seemed to tacitly espouse the idea that someone who was only taking pictures would be all right in his book. Plus, any story that contains at least one explorer getting covered in raw sewage can't be all bad... -- Mat [last edit 9/11/2004 4:33 AM by MatC - edited 1 times] "We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time." - T.S. Eliot, excerpt from "Little Gidding"

MacGyver location: St Paul, Minnesota Gender: Male "Someone go find me a paperclip, a D-cell battery, and a cheese grater" \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 4 on 9/11/2004 4:48 AM >

	Great article. Like a fiend with his dope / a drunkard his wine / a man will have lust for the lure of the mine "If you are not part of the solution, you are not dissolved in the solvent."

Feztaa

location:
Victoria, Canada
Gender: Male

Hide yo kids, hide yo wife

Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame.
<Reply # 5 on 9/11/2004 6:41 AM >

Posted by Curious_George
Trespassing is a provincial offence in Manitoba, subject to a fine of up to $25. While Calgary police have recently chastised urban explorers, a spokesman for Winnipeg Police said he had never heard of people sneaking into buildings just to take photos.

"That's interesting," said Const. Al Akre.

Classic

"When it burnt down, I pretty much lost a gasket," he said.

"It was heart-wrenching to me. Its hard to understand, but I have so many memories tied to it that I understood the building, how it breathes."

I can vouch for that, I was there* when the fires started, he was maaad ;)

(* "there" as in "in winnipeg with George", not "there with the arsonists")

Samurai Vehicular Lord Rick location: northeastern New York No matter where you go, there you are... \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 6 on 9/11/2004 7:16 AM >

	i thought that was a pretty good article... it seemed to be very positive. And just think, i can remember when C-George got nabbed and was going to quit! Now,a celebrity. Good job, amigo. Samurai

Curious_George location: Cambridge Gender: Male Straight outta New Bedlam \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 7 on 9/11/2004 2:19 PM >

	Thanks guys, I do think it was a good article and when I read the part with the qoute from the police rep I pretty much laughed out loud. It was a good way to end off the trip from Sask.

Jesus Jones This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information. location: back in Belleville Gender: Male 1973-2005 \| \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 8 on 9/11/2004 3:14 PM >

	Thats just what we need. More good press. Very well written article, Great job C-G [11:23:20] * nightbird looks at jj's crotch in amazement [19:48:06] <Freak> YOUR TOAD A SPLODE [22:04:21] <keti> in fact, im rather robotic Virginity does not collect intrest. -Andrea [15:44:19] <Kellogs> i'm part of a complete breakfast you know =P wait...that sounds so wrong

Krenta location: Saint Paul, MN Nope, wasn't me. \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 9 on 9/11/2004 3:44 PM >

	Nice article... I just have one comment: Winnipegers?! Alrighty then. Welcome to the world of media whoredom, "George". Heh. Have Speed Graphic, Will Travel.

The Hitman's Daughter Account Closed location: ottawa, canada Gender: Female hot pavement. \| \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 10 on 9/11/2004 4:21 PM >

	it's a double eged sword. publicity can be good and bad. i'd personally rather leave the media and newspapers and radio shows and tv programs OUT of urban exploration, but that's just me. richellesart.com From now on and until the end of time, "Hip To Be Square" will conjure images of bloody bodies being hacked apart with axes.

keti

Moderator
location:
Providence, RI
Gender: Female

#EA98DE

Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame.
<Reply # 11 on 9/11/2004 6:21 PM >

Posted by Curious_George
Unlike some explorers, George never explains on the site how he got inside

"Saturday, September 11: Today we broke into this abandoned building through a door that the owners think is locked but in fact is not. It is the door to the left of the main entrance, the one with the bushes next to it."

I'd really like to know who (since according to this article there are many?) tells how they got into the building on their sites.
I am intrigued.

But anyway, that's some good press.

[23:38:31] <metawaffle> I'm surprised the NE forum doesn't fall off UER from the weight of thread locks

uer.ca is like / being in the mob / basically, a / ninja mob. - Aleksandar

Silent Knight location: Niagara region Gender: Male Kastle Archives Productions Inc. (since 1999) \| \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 12 on 9/11/2004 6:40 PM >

	Good article that sheds some positive light on our exploits. Nice work, and very interesting to read. Silent Knight You can always tell when you're watching Canadian television - the actors in the show are the same ones doing the commercials.

Freak

location:
Usually Alaska, now MSP.
Gender: Male

Hypocrite

Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame.
<Reply # 13 on 9/11/2004 8:32 PM >

Nice job George! Very positive portrayal of UE. Did you make any special agreements with the reporter like Jester or others have?

Posted by keti
I'd really like to know who (since according to this article there are many?) tells how they got into the building on their sites.
I am intrigued.

It used to be more common, a lot of the early UE sites were really detailed. That was in the days befor AOL when you actually had to be somewhat intelligent to get online, there were fewer vandals and stoners online looking for places to trash. My site used to have detailed access info for the few places I'd explored.
[last edit 9/11/2004 8:34 PM by Freak - edited 1 times]

Turn off the internet and go play outside.
http://spamusement...hp/comics/view/137

Curious_George location: Cambridge Gender: Male Straight outta New Bedlam \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 14 on 9/11/2004 10:09 PM >

	I didn't have any special requirements, all of this was on her own initiative. She was the one who was asked me what building I wanted to go in and asked me how she could help the UE scene here in Winnipeg. Her genuine interest was quite evident during the interview and throughout our time in the building as she gave me more possible sites that she had found during her time in Ontario.

Capone location: London, Ontario Gender: Male UEL \| \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 15 on 9/11/2004 10:45 PM >

	Not bad, I think that's about as good as UE media gets... So there I was, in this creepy old hallway...

nd31

Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame.
<Reply # 16 on 9/11/2004 11:15 PM >

Posted by MatC
Sure they get in their digs trying to make UE'rs seem like rebellious ninja-types

-- Mat

Aren't we? Or should I put away my nunchucks.

Skaught location: Calgary Gender: Male \| \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 17 on 9/11/2004 11:41 PM >

	"While Calgary police have recently chastised urban explorers, a spokesman for Winnipeg Police said he had never heard of people sneaking into buildings just to take photos." When I talked to the cop he did not chastize me at all. In fact he did not give a shit. Why is it reporters are contanstanly making up details? What is the author's email address? [last edit 9/11/2004 11:43 PM by Skaught - edited 1 times] If you ever come to Calgary then email Satan@uea.ca and you'll be made welcome, taken to locations and given free accommodation. We'll help save you the $$$ you spend on the flight over here :)

mox25

Noble Donor
location:
Austin, tx
Gender: Male

Picture of my cat

Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame.
<Reply # 18 on 9/12/2004 1:55 AM >

I really don't want alot of people finding out about UE'ing its like street racing. Its illegal, but it didn't become a problem until F and F come out, and missed everything up. Then every stupid kid with moms civic wanted to do it.

Keep it low key, keep it to yourself.

Posted by DjMalign
hmm. On one hand I want to say good for you, but on the other hand I kind of feel nervous about people in the newspaper reading about infiltration and the UER. My personal feelings are that i'd rather people not learn about this activity in the mainstream. Rather, enthusiasts find it on their own like we all have.

Space for rent

Burzum Noble Donor \| \|	Re: I'm Back from Sask.... And I Brought my 15 Minutes of Fame. <Reply # 19 on 9/12/2004 6:16 AM >

	the media will do stuff on it, either way, no matter what we do. face it - its practicly custom made for them. we can control it to the extent we were able, which cg did an excellent job of, or we can stand by and allow ourselves to be slandered, but they will do stories on UE regardless of our desires. [last edit 9/12/2004 6:17 AM by Burzum - edited 1 times] www.rouskrew.com because evil won't just do itself.

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