I do like exploring alone but it's dangerous. 3 is okay, 4 is do-able and 5 is out of the question. But 2 is perfect.

It really just depends where you are exploring. Rural areas can facilitate more explorers. Downtown is best done with one other person.

I almost always do my first exploration alone these days. Since i prize silence and sneakiness, and for the most part don't want others around when i'm in unfamiliar territory. After that, the only time I ever go back is to share the experience with others. The biggest group I ever took was 6. It wasn't TOO bad. Since I drilled it into them I would never bring them anywhere again if they fucked around. But I have found that having 1 other person with me is the perfect number especially if she is a girl. And if you happen to be taking said girl on a date... THEN THIS IS URBEX INVINCIBILITY. You look a lot less suspicious as a couple, and if someone walks by you while you're messing around a POE, just start making out! Nobody will bother you. However if I was by myself its a completely different story. Fumbling with a lock in an alleyway can never be explained if someone walks up on you while you're alone.

Usually two, but sometimes three. Small, experienced groups seem to always work out better.

The largest group I have been in was six for a drain, and it went surprisingly well.

But usually I'm with 2-3 other people.

I usually go alone. Easier to keep track of the whole crew (consisting of myself) and keep alert that way.

1 or 2 other people at the most. Large groups are a pain in the ass to keep track of.

I bring usually one partner, it makes it a close knit experience with my closest friend. However, on occasion, I bring upwards of 6 people with me.

I usually go with one person. I've been with 3 other people before which was alright. I've never been with anymore than that. I think one or two is the sweet spot.

I'm usually with one other person and I try to make sure that person is relatively athletic. Tryna keep it stealthy but wanna be able to dip super quick it we need to

I got with one other friend. Don't like going alone, I prefer to have someone else there for the company and safety. Anymore than one other friend and I feel that the group is getting too big and might draw attention. I prefer to stay sneaky.

The wife and I...so we can have sex in the building ;)

0-3 others.

I've taken around 12 before, and will never make that mistake again.

Just me, but one other sometimes works out fine. Any more than that is too much.

1 - boring
2 - ok size, good for stealth but can limit subject range. This is what I do for crane climbs, underground rail tunnels, and other shit where I don't want to be making sure everyone is ok.
3 - perfect size IMO. Everyone can take care of themselves, not a particularly large group. Lots to chat about and photograph.
4 - Bit large but doable. Needs to be a pretty chill spot.
5 - Only for abandos and spots with little risk of being caught (drains etc)
6+ - better be no security anywhere near it

Posted by Dark_Aaron 0-3 others. I've taken around 12 before, and will never make that mistake again.

Did you get caught or was it just a headache trying to keep the group together?

Last time I went out with a group it was about 150 people, in one drain, at the same time.

Posted by Harvestman I usually go alone. Easier to keep track of the whole crew (consisting of myself) and keep alert that way.

At a site like Beth Steel having someone that knew it inside out was invaluable. At the most, two people at a site like that. One is better though once you know the tricks. It really depends on a lot of factors but whoever is with you better be an asset, not a liability.

The fewer distractions the better. 1 is or should be more stealthy and if spotted you are less threatening than a group. Easier to deal with cops; the more relaxed a cop is with you the better the outcome. With large groups they'll be more likely to call for backup... not good.
100% control and freedom to explore as you see fit. It's more challenging and it's relaxing. You learn your limitations, how to resolve them and/or work within them. Safety nets tend to make people more careless, to push limits which are fixed and once broken are unretrievable.

I'm a firm believer in self reliance; you can't be taught it, you learn by doing. It's one of the most important survival skills to have. The only person joined to your hip is you. You never known when you may be alone with no one around to bail you out. Better to fail in a less critical situation and learn from it than to try and learn self reliance in a critical situation all at once, fail and die.

Posted by Masakari Did you get caught or was it just a headache trying to keep the group together?

Didn't get caught. Just a pain to deal with that many people when exploring.

First time ever going urban exploring was with a group of 6 people. Haven't done much of it since but all the other times (twice) it has been me & someone else only. Personally, I think I'd prefer 3 - 4 as ideal.

I like to go with just one other person. That way you've got one person to act as a lookout/go get help if something goes wrong. Many more than that and it gets too loud for my liking.

I've explored some tunnels with about 8 people before, but we were nearly caught a couple of times because of the noise.