urban exploration
2 08 2005Yesterday I came across the website for a “zine” called Infiltration. It focuses on the practice of “urban exploration,” which is sort of like hiking, but instead of being out in the woods, you’re trekking through abandoned factories, hospitals, tunnels, etc. My interest was quickly piqued.
When I was younger I rather enjoyed exploring places where I had no business being. I paid many a visit to abandoned buildings of all sorts (barns, grain silos, schools) and some places that weren’t abandoned that I really shouldn’t have been. I’m unaware of the statute of limitations for something like that, so I won’t reveal specific places, but if I were to go out tonight and commit an act of breaking and entering, it wouldn’t be my first time.
At any rate, ever since then I’ve been trying to make a mental catalog of interesting places in the area that I’d like to go exploring. I know there are a number of items to concern myself with, such as legality and safety issues, but I’m not stupid and won’t do anything that I perceive to be too dangerous or illegal. Now I just need to find some people who want to come along. I’ve already got one person lined up, but the more the merrier. Also, any suggestions for places to check out would be welcome. Here are a few links for the kinds of places I’d like to visit.
I remember quite fondly our exploratory days. Granted I as well feel badly for the higher illegal activities we took part in, but this looks like so much fun. Very reminiscent of the glorified childhood years. I’ll go, just tell me when! And you know Sara would go too, it’d be too much fun to turn down.
I do however, have some reservations about Gary, only because of all the crime they have there, but what the hell, you only live once, right?:razz:
I don’t actually want to go to Gary or Kentucky, I was just providing an example of the sort of place I would like to go.
I’d really like to see the hospital though! How freaky would that be?
That’s kind of cool that there’s stuff to bum around in over there. There is really nothing to do that kind of exploring in around here. There used to be this old mansion that people called “Hell House” but that’s long gone after some drunk kids burned it to the ground. We also had the old Stillwater Penitentiary but they tore that down. There are millions of outdoor spots to traipse around. I think that a decrepit building might be more safe sometimes. So long as you wear your cheese helmet.
Hello, I am the author of Abandoned, which you linked the hospital and the power plant galleries. Thanks for sharing them! As for tours (directed to Steph), I am setting some up this fall if you are in the area. More details will be posted at my site in a few weeks.
HOW FREAKIN COOL IS THAT CHRIS, YOU HAD THE AUTHOR COMMENT!!