Urban Explorer's Must-Have Essentials for 2024




Urban exploration, the art of uncovering the hidden and mysterious, demands more than just a curious spirit. As a fervent and dedicated urban explorer, you know that being well-prepared can be the difference between an unforgettable adventure and a regrettable mishap. While your checklist may vary depending on the nature of your missions, there are a few indispensable items that every urban explorer should carry with them, no matter where their journey takes them.




1. Toilet Paper - An Unexpected Essential


You might wonder why toilet paper ranks among the must-haves for urban exploration. The truth is, when nature calls during one of your upstate expeditions, you'll be grateful for this simple necessity. You can't always rely on public restrooms or the quality of their supplies. Restaurant toilet paper, often thin and abrasive, can leave you less than comfortable in the rear area. To avoid such discomfort, stash a roll or two in your trunk. Trust me; restaurant napkins are no match for the soft, quilted comfort of your own toilet paper. It's a small investment that ensures you won't find yourself in an uncomfortable situation far from the comforts of home.





2. Lighting Tools - Shedding Light on the Dark


In the depths of abandoned factories, mills, power plants, strip clubs, bars, bowling alleys, and epic theaters, light becomes your closest ally. While a flashlight may suffice for quick bursts of illumination or light painting, it can also create harsh, intense pockets of light when your shutter remains open for extended periods. For superior control, LED light panels or wands are your go-to choices. These customizable tools allow you to fine-tune the soft white light, preventing overexposure and ensuring the perfect shot. No more unwanted light burns on your images; these light panels are your secret to capturing the perfect shot in challenging conditions. LED light bars or wands provide similar flexibility, so pick the one that suits your preferences and fits snugly in your exploration kit.





3. SD Cards - Never Run Out of Space


The world of urban exploration is vast and unpredictable. Often, you'll stumble upon unknown locations while en route to other destinations. These unexpected discoveries can strain your camera's memory storage. The last thing you want is to face a daunting decision: delete photos in your camera or risk missing a crucial shot. That's where an extra SD card comes to the rescue. I've found this backup indispensable when my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 or other cameras run out of space. Swapping in a fresh card allows you to keep recording without erasing precious memories. Always carry a spare SD card in your camera bag. You never know when you'll embark on a photography spree that takes you from one location to another without a chance to offload your images. Don't let your adventures be hindered by storage limitations. Avoid the headache and expense of last-minute purchases by keeping that extra card handy.





4. Lens Cleaner - The Saviour of Your Optics


In the field, your camera's lenses are exposed to the elements, including your greasy fingertips. Those annoying streaks of human oils and grease can ruin your shots. That's where ZEISS lens cleaner wipes/pads come into play. These little wonders are your best friend when you need to wipe away the smudges from your front lens or UV filter quickly. Resist the urge to use your cotton t-shirt; it can cause more harm than good. Professional-grade lens equipment deserves a specialized cleaning solution, one that won't scratch or deteriorate your precious lens elements over time. So, make room in your bag for a few packets of ZEISS lens wipes; your gear will thank you later.






5. Waterproof Footwear - Navigating the Murky Depths


When it comes to the world of urban exploration, one thing is certain: your choice of footwear can make or break the adventure. Deep within the subterranean labyrinths of basements and subbasements, where stagnant waters house an unimaginable concoction of filth and chemical intrigue, having the right shoes is nothing short of essential.


In my decade-long journey through these enigmatic spaces, I've often found myself in a quandary when it comes to footwear. On one hand, there's the allure of comfort, embodied by shoes like the Nike SB skate shoes, which have proven their mettle in terms of coziness. On the other hand, we have the undeniable champions of comfort, the Timberland Pro Men’s Drivetrain Mid Composites. These shoes are the epitome of walking on a cloud, offering a level of comfort that's hard to match.


However, and it's a significant "however," they aren't impervious to the standing water that frequently characterizes these subterranean realms. I've trudged through numerous adventures with wet and soggy feet, pondering my life choices with every squelchy step. It's during these moments that I've found myself wishing I'd taken my own advice and invested in a pair of waterproof boots or shoes.


But here's the paradox: while waterproof footwear provides an impeccable barrier against the perils of standing water, they often come at the expense of comfort. I've learned that the hard way. My feet, over the years, have experienced their fair share of aches and soreness, particularly after covering miles of ground in a single day. It's those moments when I ask myself, "Why did I prioritize comfort over practicality?"


In my extensive tenure as an explorer, I've repeatedly chosen comfort, despite the inevitable consequence of wet and soggy feet. It's a trade-off, a delicate balance between indulging in the joy of exploration and paying the price of soggy discomfort.


So, fellow adventurers, when you embark on your next urban exploration mission, consider your footwear choice wisely. Comfort or practicality, the decision is yours to make. Just remember, in the shadowy depths of basements and subbasements, where mysteries await, there's no one-size-fits-all answer for the perfect pair of shoes. Wet, soggy feet be damned; the journey continues.


In the world of urban exploration, the right tools can make the difference between a mediocre experience and an extraordinary one. Be prepared, stay equipped, and you'll find that your adventures become smoother, more enjoyable, and above all, more rewarding. So, venture forth with these essentials in tow, and let your explorations continue unhindered, knowing you're ready for whatever urban secrets lie ahead.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

St. Michael and St. Edward Church: A Cornerstone of Fort Greene

Image
For weeks, I had been orbiting the perimeter of the impending demolition of the Church of St. Michael and St. Edward, a once revered church in the heart of Fort Greene, like a moth drawn to a flame. The neighborhood, a patchwork of tight project housing, seemed indifferent to the fate of this historic edifice. The intel I had received suggested that entry was as simple as scaling a wooden fence, yet the timing had never felt right. Until one day, it did. With a mission in New Jersey looming, I knew it was now or never. The demolition was advancing at a startling pace, the church's twin steeples already reduced to rubble. The skeletal remains of timber beams and rusted steel frames peeked out from the ruins, a testament to the relentless march of progress. Summoning a surge of courage, I seized a moment of quiet in the bustling housing project and vaulted over the fence. My heart pounded in my chest as I slipped unnoticed into the church grounds. The once grand entrance now stood as
Read more

Echoes of the Oven: The Legacy of Nicetown Freihofer's Bakery

Image
Six years ago, I embarked on an exploratory journey through the forgotten corridors of a place whose name was unknown to me then. Only recently, with a bit of help, I unraveled the mystery: this place, archived in my memory and on my hard drive, was the Freihofer Baking Company. This discovery rekindled a special connection in my heart, remembering my early days in urban exploration in Philadelphia. It was here that I first tasted the thrill of exploring abandoned buildings, a passion that soon had me crossing state lines in search of that exhilarating, novel feeling once more. The neighborhood surrounding the Freihofer Baking Company was a stark canvas of socio-economic hardship, a desolate space that spoke volumes of its forgotten glory. I remember vividly the day I ventured there. Agile and swift, I maneuvered over a wall of large rectangular stones – a barrier against scrappers seeking to plunder valuable metals. These stones were a gateway to the past, leading me to the nearest op
Read more

Former Empire State Dairy Company

Image
Update May 2024:   The Highland at 2480 Atlantic Avenue, the site of the landmarked Empire State Dairy Company complex in East New York is now available for leasing. The site has undergone a massive redevelopment. Check it out sometime. The exterior scaffolding and netting are now down. The Architecture The property in question encompasses 0.72 acres, bordered by Schenck Avenue to the west, residential properties to the south, Barbey Street to the east, and Atlantic Avenue to the north. This site boasts a rich history of diverse commercial and industrial uses. Dating back to the 1890s, it served as a dairy bottling facility before accommodating companies such as the Royal Plastics Corporation and/or Allied Tile Co. After the cessation of dairy operations, businesses that utilized petroleum products, solvents, and hydraulic fluids occupied the site, leading to subsurface contamination over time. The dairy complex has remained vacant since around 2020, and after the owner of Royal Plast
Read more

Hendey Machine Co.'s Historic Complex in Torrington

Image
  One warm day, J and I set off to explore an old mill he’d discovered some time ago. The place was hidden away and seemed ideal for the kind of photos we loved taking—rustic spaces with that raw, forgotten feel. We entered casually through the front, our cameras ready, aiming to capture as much as we could before moving on to the other buildings. About 20 minutes into our shoot, J’s voice broke the silence. “There’s a white truck out front.” He’d spotted it from the second-floor window. I joined him, snapping a few more pictures along the way, trying to stay calm. We figured maybe it was someone stopping by briefly. But just as I was getting my last shot in, I saw movement at the entrance. A man stepped inside, chatting on the phone. Alarmed, J and I ducked behind a wall, hearts racing. Before we knew it, three more people had joined him—a second man, a woman, and a small dog. We realized, with sinking dread, that it was the property owner, likely giving contractors a tour and getting
Read more

Historic Killingly Ballouville Mill

Image
  As I recall that April day in 2018, the memory unfolds with the vividness of a carefully preserved photograph. The sky, a vast expanse of unyielding blue, served as the perfect backdrop for our excursion. J and I, driven by curiosity and a keen sense of adventure, stood at the threshold of the historic Ballouville Mill in Killingly, Connecticut. This relic of a bygone industrial era was nestled imposingly between two homes as if guarding the secrets of its storied past. Our entry into the mill was less an act of intrusion and more a gentle push through time's veil. An opening – not quite a door, nor a window – beckoned us into the heart of a forgotten world. Inside, the mill presented itself as a cathedral of industry, now silent and solemn. Wooden beams and columns, like the ribs of a great leviathan, stretched upwards, supporting the weight of history and time. The machinery, once the pulsing heart of this place, had long since ceased their hum of productivity. In their absence
Read more