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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Explorer etiquette (Viewed 10697 times)
EI_CEO_CFT 


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Explorer etiquette
< on 4/14/2019 10:58 PM >
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To be more specific, upon meeting new explorers is there anything that peeves you that you would recommend rookies to avoid when meeting others for the first time? For example, many moons ago when I was trying to get a couple of pals into the hobby, we were in a very public place and they were very vocal about our plans for later that evening and had nearly attracted attention of a LEO standing nearby. Of course I doubt that it would not have been his top priority to send the whole department to guard a shack on the outskirts of town to prevent some teenagers from taking photos, but I'm glad they didn't confront us nonetheless.

Followup, is age an issue? I read on another urban exploring resource that the average age of explorer is late 20s to early 40s - would you generally be bothered by exploring with an 18-25 year old, depending on if their maturity level?




Explorer Zero 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 1 on 4/15/2019 3:31 AM >
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I don't get it ???




Aran 


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Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 2 on 4/15/2019 8:23 AM >
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Basically don't be an idiot or a dick. Don't steal things, vandalize things, endanger yourself/others, draw attention, publicize information given in confidence, or be an asshole and you'll probably get along well with most members of the urbex community.

As for age, it doesn't really matter in my experience unless you're a minor. Urban explorers come from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. It's only really an issue when someone is under 18, because bringing minors exploring greatly ups the legal risk factor for everybody else involved.




"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.

Mr. Bitey 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 3 on 4/15/2019 3:28 PM >
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Posted by Aran
Basically don't be an idiot or a dick.


I'll 2nd that. Everything that follows points back to that right there.




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blackhawk 

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 4 on 4/15/2019 3:53 PM >
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My pet peeve are newbies posting trash or one site pic* threads in the Main forum that should be in the Rookies, Regional or Photography forums.
If you're going to post a thread on the Main forum it better be damn good and of general interest to the community.

If you splore alone there's only one person to worry about screwing up.
The people I've explored with were never an issue.
&
Pics or it never happened...



*Here's one thread that should have been posted on the Main forum: https://www.uer.ca...=1&threadid=130229



[last edit 4/15/2019 3:58 PM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]

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EI_CEO_CFT 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 5 on 4/15/2019 10:03 PM >
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2xplorations, sorry if I was unclear, the thread was intended for discussion on what kind of things bother you when meeting other new explorers [not necessarily new to the activity but to your circle].

I agree with both of you Aran and M.rBitey, ive always gotten along with everybody that shows respect and maturity. With the exception of minors of course i really dont care about demographic and its good to see noone else does either.

Thats a good point Blackhawk and in retrospect this thread probably could have also fit in the rookies forum, my apologies. I definitely agree with "pics or it never happened", i seriously regret not taking better photos of many sites when i was younger before they were demo'd or renovated.




NotQuiteHuman 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 6 on 4/16/2019 12:41 AM >
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This is a good document to read if you're new to this or want to share it with someone else who is new.

https://drive.goog...MvnNPnl6aGio1R-ySC




blackhawk 

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 7 on 4/16/2019 1:08 AM >
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Posted by EI_CEO_CFT

Thats a good point Blackhawk and in retrospect this thread probably could have also fit in the rookies forum, my apologies. I definitely agree with "pics or it never happened", i seriously regret not taking better photos of many sites when i was younger before they were demo'd or renovated.


That's my opinion not necessarily others. If you didn't get flamed to a cinder, you have a lot of wiggle room

Photos can be documentary style. Although a squared off shot is generally easier to view, any pic is helpful.
Words only go so far.
There are many sites I splored over the decades and don't have one image of
Many times though it's more fun to simply explore.




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Abby Normal 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 8 on 4/16/2019 2:40 AM >
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Posted by EI_CEO_CFT
To be more specific, upon meeting new explorers is there anything that peeves you that you would recommend rookies to avoid when meeting others for the first time? For example, many moons ago when I was trying to get a couple of pals into the hobby, we were in a very public place and they were very vocal about our plans for later that evening and had nearly attracted attention of a LEO standing nearby. Of course I doubt that it would not have been his top priority to send the whole department to guard a shack on the outskirts of town to prevent some teenagers from taking photos, but I'm glad they didn't confront us nonetheless.

Followup, is age an issue? I read on another urban exploring resource that the average age of explorer is late 20s to early 40s - would you generally be bothered by exploring with an 18-25 year old, depending on if their maturity level?


In film making there is a philosophy of "show, don't tell". In exploring that translates to letting your skills do the talking. I get turned off when someone talks themselves up, but then can't back it up with their actual skills. Sure, we all like to tell war stories about our favorite or most memorable explores. But there's always "that guy" that has done it all, or at least will tell you he has. Mine exploring is pretty gear intensive so it's usually pretty easy to see how comfortable the new guy is when assembling his rig. You can also tell a lot by looking at the brands and condition of his gear.

So in short, check the ego at the door.

Abby Normal




"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan
Explorer unkown 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 9 on 4/16/2019 11:24 AM >
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Posted by Abby Normal


In film making there is a philosophy of "show, don't tell". In exploring that translates to letting your skills do the talking. I get turned off when someone talks themselves up, but then can't back it up with their actual skills. Sure, we all like to tell war stories about our favorite or most memorable explores. But there's always "that guy" that has done it all, or at least will tell you he has. Mine exploring is pretty gear intensive so it's usually pretty easy to see how comfortable the new guy is when assembling his rig. You can also tell a lot by looking at the brands and condition of his gear.

So in short, check the ego at the door.

Abby Normal


learn this the hard way, someone got in contact with me that was following my group for a while and had met another member of my group while exploring a known site, after a few back an forths thought it was a good idea to meet up with this dude and go check out a nearby bando prison, after all the talk that hes down and hes excited and ready for anything he just wanted to get one shot of a cell and insisted we leave cause if we get caught in a prison we would definitely go to prison... smh havent responded to his dms after that




Abby Normal 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 10 on 4/16/2019 7:46 PM >
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Posted by Explorer unkown

learn this the hard way, someone got in contact with me that was following my group for a while and had met another member of my group while exploring a known site, after a few back an forths thought it was a good idea to meet up with this dude and go check out a nearby bando prison, after all the talk that hes down and hes excited and ready for anything he just wanted to get one shot of a cell and insisted we leave cause if we get caught in a prison we would definitely go to prison... smh havent responded to his dms after that


Yeah, most of us have explored with "that guy". And hopefully we aren't "that guy".

On the other hand, that's the risk we take any time we go out with someone we have never explored with before. If we want to expand our circle of exploring friends, it's always a possibility. Through the years I've gone out for that first explore with an online friend and have had a wonderful time. I think it's worth the risk of a bad explore to find a new exploring friend.

Abby




"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan
blackhawk 

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 11 on 4/16/2019 8:00 PM >
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Posted by Abby Normal


Yeah, most of us have explored with "that guy". And hopefully we aren't "that guy".

On the other hand, that's the risk we take any time we go out with someone we have never explored with before. If we want to expand our circle of exploring friends, it's always a possibility. Through the years I've gone out for that first explore with an online friend and have had a wonderful time. I think it's worth the risk of a bad explore to find a new exploring friend.

Abby


If you invest time to extensively chat online and on the phone before meeting up while not foolproof it does greatly reduce the chances for a real time disaster.
Best to meet in public place first time.
WYSIWYG

Years ago there was an FM that I almost met up with but decided they were a little too wild and would take risks I didn't want to.
Latter they were PBed over an arson. They were a great shooter and were popular here for a long time.
Yes, well...




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Explorer Zero 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 12 on 4/16/2019 11:39 PM >
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Posted by blackhawk


If you invest time to extensively chat online and on the phone before meeting up while not foolproof it does greatly reduce the chances for a real time disaster.
Best to meet in public place first time.
WYSIWYG

Years ago there was an FM that I almost met up with but decided they were a little too wild and would take risks I didn't want to.
Latter they were PBed over an arson. They were a great shooter and were popular here for a long time.
Yes, well...


When I lived in DFW and ran with the DEA group we held regular meet-ups, well advertised usually at a nice restaurant, and we had some good times. But you should have seen some of the b.s. artists that came crawling out of the woodwork to attend. Some we could never trust and thought they were cops, others were just a few bricks short of a load and I refused to go anywhere even remotely sketchy with them.


We had some that bragged about special locations and secret access and entry points and knowledge of the Holy Grail of underground Dallas. All turned out to be posers and frauds. Out of 20+ "new people" attendees we met-up with maybe two actual people that actually wanted to explore, the rest just wanted to be in the picture or act cool.




Abby Normal 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 13 on 4/17/2019 3:02 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk

If you invest time to extensively chat online and on the phone before meeting up while not foolproof it does greatly reduce the chances for a real time disaster.
Best to meet in public place first time.
WYSIWYG



Good advice right there. I've been fortunate to have had pretty good luck meeting up with folks, and no real disasters so far. I do enjoy meeting fellow explorers. On my most recent trip to The Widowmaker, I got to meet up with a bunch of great guys and gals for the first time. It was a real treat.

Abby Normal




"Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem." Ronald Reagan
Aran 


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Huh. I guess covid made me a trendsetter.

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 14 on 4/17/2019 5:53 AM >
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Posted by NotQuiteHuman
This is a good document to read if you're new to this or want to share it with someone else who is new.

https://drive.goog...MvnNPnl6aGio1R-ySC


Very good information, that. Shotgun Mario really did a great job of summing up the explorer ethic in a manner that is both detailed and concise.




"Sorry, I didn't know I'm not supposed to be here," he said, knowing full well he wasn't supposed to be there.

Apollo Mey 


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It's all about the context!

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 15 on 4/17/2019 2:35 PM >
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Yeah, I haven't had any luck exploring with anyone. The obvious reason is that I am a minor, and the last thing I'd want to do is get someone slammed with charges for exploring with me. But hey, ten more days and Im no longer a minor! But one thing that peeved me one time, is when some guys I met up with said they would take me through a abandoned hotel. It was my second exploration. About the third floor, I look over and one of the guys is giggling with a porcelain toilet out the window over the street. Thats when I left when he threw it. It peeves me because it kinda ruined a good night to explore, and I could have gotten in even more trouble if I got caught.



[last edit 4/17/2019 2:37 PM by Apollo Mey - edited 1 times]

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VAD 


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Forgive us our trespasses

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 16 on 4/19/2019 2:00 AM >
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Posted by Apollo Mey
About the third floor, I look over and one of the guys is giggling with a porcelain toilet out the window over the street. Thats when I left when he threw it. It peeves me because it kinda ruined a good night to explore, and I could have gotten in even more trouble if I got caught.


Who cares about getting caught - that could've killed someone.

I've explored with some real boneheads before who have attempted to do the same thing (throw a heavy object off a high place, onto somewhere people could be).

When that happens, I always make it very clear how mad I am, tell them that the explore is over and we are all leaving right now, and if they don't I'm calling the cops. I've never had to follow through on that threat.




-VAD
Apollo Mey 


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It's all about the context!

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 17 on 4/19/2019 3:33 AM >
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I had doubt that someone was down there, it was in the middle of a sever thunderstorm, but yeah, it doesn't change the fact that something nasty could a happened to someone. I wasn't gonna yell at the dude because he's like 6'4 and a cross eyed meat head, so I kinda just took my chances by gtfo. I think I did say something along the lines of "Don't you fuck'n do it! Don't you do it!".

Yeah, he didn't listen.




The closest I'll ever be to exploring a fantasy dungeon!
EI_CEO_CFT 


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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 18 on 4/19/2019 11:27 PM >
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Posted by NotQuiteHuman
This is a good document to read if you're new to this or want to share it with someone else who is new.

https://drive.goog...MvnNPnl6aGio1R-ySC


I think we can all relate to this in one way or another - what with Explorer Unknown, Abby Normal, Blackhawk, 2Explorations, and Apollo Mey's posts. It's like the old adage "if you're strong, you won't need to tell others, others will tell you". Of course you still always hear people bragging about how strong they are, not talking in earnest interest of their hobby but just bragging. If you were to take everyone at face value, it'd be scary how easy it is to breach government facilities when it seems every fresh explorer is pulling it off and back before dinnertime. I've always found it more decent and respectable when someone just says "I'm not experienced, but I'd like to learn more and get better with time". That sounds like a mature person and someone who would be a responsible and trustworthy partner on future sites.

I really think its a matter of respect for the activity, too, that makes a deciding factor in if you should bring someone. When I was in grade school just getting into it, I thought since I'd grown up with these friends and have the same morals and rough baseline personality traits, that it would be okay to bring them to a site. "If we all have a great deal of respect for each other, it shouldn't be a problem". Theres a big difference between respect for each other and respect for the activity, I'd later learn. "Keep it quiet and don't tell anyone else because it could get the place sealed up and also destroy its merit as a time capsule of sorts" doesn't sound as good as "throwing a big party" to people who didn't grow up with the same love of urban exploring as you did.

Posted by blackhawk

Photos can be documentary style. Although a squared off shot is generally easier to view, any pic is helpful.
Words only go so far.



Solid advice, I sincerely wish I could tell me younger self to not dismiss my fears of a particular site being demolished soon as irrational, because it seems they always leave right when you're ready to go back. I remember thinking "this [Godawful] shakeycam footage is fine, I'll come back to take real photos some other time." When you account for having a year left to go somewhere, either again or for the first time, it'll always leave this world in eleven months and twenty some odd days, and if you didn't appreciate it properly when it was around you'll have no photos to look back on and properly appreciate it later.

Wow, didn't mean for this post to run on for so long, sorry for the wall of text




Apollo Mey 


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It's all about the context!

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Re: Explorer etiquette
< Reply # 19 on 4/22/2019 2:56 PM >
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Yeah, the same hotel I mentioned is getting renovated, I wish I could have gotten a good daytime explore in but it didn't go as planned last time we tried. I never got any good pictures the first time because I was afraid of getting my camera wet, only got maybe two or three pictures. I have a video of the place with me and a few people going though, but I rather keep that one in the vault.




The closest I'll ever be to exploring a fantasy dungeon!
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