10 Useful Tips For Your First Urbex
Hello there!
Let me first introduce myself so you know who you are
dealing with. My name is Marek, I am 24 years old and I have recently fallen in
love with urbexing and everything around
it – exploring derelict, abandoned buildings, photography, adrenalin, research, and history... Apart from going
exploring myself whenever I have the chance,
I’ve also had the
privilege of going to a couple of adventures with more experienced urbexers and collected a lot of experiences
along the way. Experiences, which I would like to share with you in the
following blog post.
Without further ado, let’s get to it!
- Research, research, RESEARCH!
This is always where you should start. Before you set off to
explore anything, make sure to have all the information necessary about the place you are visiting. Not only will it save
you a lot of trouble when you encounter security or police, it can also save
your life. Old buildings are, well, old. Those sturdy wooden planks you step on
might be riddled with termites and snap
like dry twigs. That funny smell in the air might be asbestos, methane or
hydrogen sulfide – all deadly.
I recommend going through forums (such as: this, this and this) first and then at least do a Google search. If the place is near to where you live,
you can even do field research – visit the building (but do not enter!) couple
of days prior to your urbex at random times and look around to see whether
there is any activity and if so, which. Take notes and prepare.
- Tell others where you are
I cannot stress this enough. It is important, especially
during the first couple of urbexes (and
even afterward), that you tell a friend
or family where you are going, how can they reach you and when to expect you.
Considering the nature of the place you are about to visit, anything can
happen. It is best to stay on the safe side and tell others about your
whereabouts should you not return on time.
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Credits: tama66 |
- Bring a proper equipment
Since you are visiting derelict, abandoned or otherwise
out-of-shape places, you should consider investing a small sum into essential
equipment. Wear sturdy shoes with high soles (the floor is usually filled with
glass, rusty nails or other sharp objects) and some older clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. I
usually wear a pair of jeans and a couple of layers for my upper body.
When it comes to visibility and light, LED Headlamp is your
best choice. It frees your hands to do what they need to do and you can
concentrate fully on the task at hand. Consider also a spare flashlight and
first aid kit as preliminary measures in case something goes wrong. Your best
bet is to head over to Capulux - the first urban exploration store with urbex essentials.
There is a nice visual gear guide here.
Although it lists many more items than I mentioned, you can take a look and
inspire yourself.
I also recommend bringing a camera. If not for taking
pictures, it at least provides you with an alibi.
I will elaborate on this in the point nr.
7.
- The unspoken rule of urban exploring: "Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints".
This rule is pretty self-explanatory. Respect the people who
might visit after you and preserve the
same conditions.
- You might meet inhabitants
Depending on where you are, some locations might be a home
for squatters, homeless people or other social misfits. It is best to be
respectful when dealing with these people. Some might be helpful and will even
show you around, others might not be so happy about your visit. It all depends.
For these cases, I always carry a pack of cigarettes and offer them a couple
for hearing out their stories. Every person is different and that makes it all
the more interesting. Not only you get to visit a beautiful place, you also
gain a friend. I call that a win-win situation.
- Bring a friend along
Nothing is better for friendship than sharing a common
hobby. Over the years, I have accumulated a group of friends that are always
willing to come with me and explore. If you currently don’t have anyone you can do urbexing with, consider heading over to forums.
Some of them have local sections, where you can find your city or state and
look for like-minded individuals. Chances are, some will be more than happy to
take you along or plan their next journey with you. As mentioned above, some
forums include:
- https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/forum.php
- https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/
- http://www.oblivionstate.com/forum/
- Meeting Police/Security
Even if you do your research properly, you can never be sure
whether someone calls the cops or you find a security guard. In these cases, it
is best to stay calm and tell them your story. This is where your camera comes
in. I always say that I saw the *insert the building name here* and it looked
wonderful, so I just wanted to take a peek and take a couple of photos. I have
never gotten into trouble this way. Sometimes you are asked to leave and you
should do so. Sometimes, though, you might get lucky and stay.
Naturally, your reasons might be different. As long as you
don’t lie and twist the
truth you should be all right. Remember, the police/security are there for a
reason – to protect you or the building. Knowing that you should treat them with the respect
they deserve.
- Some of the best abandonments are already in your city
It is funny how before I started doing urban exploration, I
completely screened out old, derelict or abandoned buildings. They just blended
in with the environment. However, once your eyes are open, you start seeing
them everywhere! This is called a "broken glass" phenomenon and it happens to
you all the time. Did your friend get
pregnant? Suddenly, you start seeing pregnant women everywhere. Are you
thinking about getting a new car and you already have one in mind? Suddenly,
you start seeing it around every corner.
Use this phenomenon to your advantage, be mindful when you
travel to or from work. Take routes you would not normally take. Look around
and keep your eyes open. You are bound to find something you have missed all
these years.
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Credits: Michael Gaida |
- Staying on the safe side
If you want to abide by all the laws and regulations of your
country, you should ask for a permission first before you enter the building. That
is the idea at least. Of course, in the real world, some of these buildings
owners are hard to find/are non-existent. In that case, contacting the local
police branch might give you some answers.
At the risk of sounding contradictory - in most cases, you
are fine without a permission. If you just want to sneak in, take a couple of
pictures, and sneak out. It is up to you what you choose.
- If it’s locked up
Look
around. Oftentimes, there is a window you can climb on, hole in the wall on the
opposite side of the building or other entrance you missed.
- Conclusion:
I am really
glad you have clawed your way up until this point. Shows a lot of dedication
and passion for adventure. If you resonate with what I have written so far,
feel free to incorporate it into your routine. Remember though, these points
are by no means any rules. These are just the things I have picked up along the
way and made my own. It is best to have your own experiences and create your
own guide along the way. Until then, let me be your guide.
If you enjoyed reading this post, make sure to
hit that follow button, comment, and
share. I will be happy to answer all your questions and read your feedback.
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