ethics of exploring abandoned places or mechanical spaces?

[NeoPTLD]

How do you guys feel about exploring places you're not supposed to be there, w/ the exception of residences? This is assuming you won't vandalize anything and do nothing to change/damage the place.

For example, abandoned schools, bunkers, etc.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cassidy/2460065/ <-- example found on net

 

[AreaCode707]

I believe that spot in Marin County is public property, so nothing wrong with it.

 

[herm0016]

like this guy? http://www.opacity.us/ i think its ok if you don't mess with anything. I explore the old mining buildings up around here a lot, they are fun to take pictures of and i have been collecting rail road spikes from all the different runs around here, mostly from public snow mobile and 4x4 trails where the rails use to be.

 

[mugs]

Depends on whether you're the type of person who would sue the owner of the property if you hurt yourself while trespassing.

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: herm0016
like this guy? http://www.opacity.us/ i think its ok if you don't mess with anything. I explore the old mining buildings up around here a lot, they are fun to take pictures of and i have been collecting rail road spikes from all the different runs around here, mostly from public snow mobile and 4x4 trails where the rails use to be.

Yes, exactly like that.

 

[Shadowknight]

Nothing wrong with it as long as you have no problem with experiencing the fresh glow of radiation to your skin.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
Nothing wrong with it as long as you have no problem with experiencing the fresh glow of radiation to your skin.

No, not this crap again. It's been proven many times she did not take those photos, and not blazing on a motorcycle around.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Done it a few times. It's fun when it's at night, half the gang is stoned, the other half is drunk-and-stoned and there is one paranoid clown trying to get everybody to hear 'the voices'. :thumbsup: Just don't vandalize the place or mess it up.

 

[paulney]

I do exploring like that around Bay Area every now and then.
Unfortunately, with after 9/11 and the introduction of Patriot Act, it's become a much bigger hassle than it used to.
Still, if you know certain techniques and are careful, you can explore stuff without bothering authorities.

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: paulney

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
Nothing wrong with it as long as you have no problem with experiencing the fresh glow of radiation to your skin.

No, not this crap again. It's been proven many times she did not take those photos, and not blazing on a motorcycle around.

When and where was that proven?

 

[AtlantaBob]

Originally posted by: mugs
Depends on whether you're the type of person who would sue the owner of the property if you hurt yourself while trespassing.

That is the most insightful thing I have heard all day. :thumbsup:

 

[uhohs]

Originally posted by: Shadowknight

Originally posted by: paulney

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
Nothing wrong with it as long as you have no problem with experiencing the fresh glow of radiation to your skin.

No, not this crap again. It's been proven many times she did not take those photos, and not blazing on a motorcycle around.

When and where was that proven?

a while ago, on the internet.

 

[BrownTown]

I've made attempts to explore the steam tunnels here an Vanderbilt, but thye are all locked up and stuff so you can't get far in. However there are several tunnels under the hospital you can get into, and other mechanical rooms which are sometimes unlocked which I have expored, but none of the cool stuff (there are a few tunnels between 500m and a mile but they have gates and motion detectors).

I do plan when I graduate to pick the locks on the long tunnels to gain entrance since at that point WTF are they gonna do about it?

EDIT: the place I REALLY wanna try to explore is the partially built nuke plants TVA never completed around here, they aint garded or anything to my knowledge.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Shadowknight

Originally posted by: paulney

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
Nothing wrong with it as long as you have no problem with experiencing the fresh glow of radiation to your skin.

No, not this crap again. It's been proven many times she did not take those photos, and not blazing on a motorcycle around.

When and where was that proven?

For instance

This has been discussed on many Russian-language forums devoted to UE that I frequent, and she's been ultimately exposed by the people who live/work/actually traveled to off-limits zone as a ... well, not a complete liar, but a person with too much imagination, let's put it this way.

 

[NeoPTLD]

We're not in Soviet Russia...

 

[FoBoT]

you mean trespassing? it is illegal in most places

don't break the law

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
you mean trespassing? it is illegal in most places

don't break the law

So is going 56mph on 55mph...

 

[jagec]

As with many other things, don't hurt anyone else's person or property, and Don't Get Caught.

 

[Hyperlite]

Originally posted by: paulney

Originally posted by: Shadowknight

Originally posted by: paulney

Originally posted by: Shadowknight
Nothing wrong with it as long as you have no problem with experiencing the fresh glow of radiation to your skin.

No, not this crap again. It's been proven many times she did not take those photos, and not blazing on a motorcycle around.

When and where was that proven?

For instance

This has been discussed on many Russian-language forums devoted to UE that I frequent, and she's been ultimately exposed by the people who live/work/actually traveled to off-limits zone as a ... well, not a complete liar, but a person with too much imagination, let's put it this way.

Wow. Ok so i read Elena's entire documentary, and was in complete awe. Then i read all of that thread you linked. Thanks for dashing my awe against the rocks.

So that thing aside, i have always been fascinated by abandoned commercial sites, and in particular, i've always been very intrigued by Chernobyl. My home town is Brevard, North Carolina, where there is a very large Ecusta plant that is being phased out of service. someday i would like to explore that, its always been very mysterious to me.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

How about playing airsoft at a school on the weekend at night?

 

[Cattlegod]

I was in NYC during the new year and snuck ontop of the hotel I was staying at (some 60 floors up) and found a room on the roof that had a bunch of old motors and engines and stuff running in the room.

 

[Leros]

Ethically, there isn't much wrong with it. Just don't damage anything and you are fine.

Legally, it could be trespassing.

Personally, ethics > law.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: HotChic
I believe that spot in Marin County is public property, so nothing wrong with it.

Yeah. Not really responding to OP's question, but that's park land. Lots of fun to wander around there. More than once I've come across fashion shoots being done in the old bunkers while cycling through the headlands.

 

[thujone]

before you go in anywhere... find all th exits. ALWAYS have more than 1 way to get out.

the rest of the advice i have pertains specifically to train yards... but i'm too lazy to type it all out here.

 

[amicold]

I think you're fine, just know the laws etc, know if you'll be able to get away fine if you don't disturb anything. I visit this gem at least once a year, it is owned now but it's still too awesome not to explore.