Urban exploration is about exploring the modern world, as it is. This includes infiltration (going where you are not really wanted or allowed) documenting abandoned and derelict places and being an actual explorer - with ethics.

Don't get the idea urban exploration is all about trespassing, goofing around and leaving your mark. That is entirely the wrong way to get started. Urban explorers have a respect for the locations they explore. "Take only photographs; leave only footprints" is the motto for people who are true urban explorers. We value history and we want to continue visiting the places as they decay and change.

Demolition is the sad fact of urban exploration - photograph history today because it may be gone tomorrow. This is very literally true! However, don't think of demolition as the enemy, this just makes you bitter. Change happens and we need change - everything can't just stay the same forever. So, be sad, but be glad you got the photographs while you could. Photographs of place now gone are treasures.

Rephotography

You can also get into rephotography. Take an old photo and photograph it again, included in the original location as it has evolved now. Look for rephotography for some really exceptional examples online, or on photography sites like Flickr.

Where to Explore

There are endless places to explore in the modern world. Not all urban explorers look at old buildings. There are industrial ruins, tunnels and drains and tall buildings where you can get photos of the whole city as you stand looking out over it (rooftopping). There are also ghost signs - faded signs from shops and advertising on the sides of buildings. There are ghost towns, if you can find much left of them. Urban explorers also like cemeteries - the old gravestones. You may be a rural urban explorer (like myself) and look at abandoned farm houses, barns, farm machinery, old cars too.

How to Explore

Before you begin exploring you will need some basic equipment: sturdy footwear, a map and a camera. These are the basics, you can certainly have more and will need more gear if you are exploring tunnels and other risky locations. But, for the average or new explorer you should stick to less risky places where you just need a good pair of boots to keep you safe.

Be aware, there are risks in most places. When exploring old farms I have been attacked by birds dive bombing me, I've made the mistake of walking in the flight path of a beehive and I worry about where I step each time I put my foot down. Always watch were you are stepping - you could find a deep trench under tall grass, an abandoned well which was not properly covered or marked or a big rusty nail which came from the house or something dumped there by someone else. If you explore consider yourself responsible for your own safety.

How do you Find Places to Explore

The question people usually as is how do I find places I have explored. I look for them! It really is that simple. You can get in the car and drive around and find places. I highly recommend you have someone else drive while you navigate and watch for signs of an old house. I have tried solo exploring while driving and it is not that great. The extra pair of eyes watching for old houses is great but - one of you needs to be watching the road as well. (No, I didn't actually drive off the road but I was not a safe driver on the road).

You can also check the Internet for locations. Not every explorer will share the locations they find. We can be cautious about giving away information when we don't know you or your intentions. Some people like to find abandoned places to salvage them for parts, some just want to find something to destroy and vandalize. Urban explorers don't vandalize, we don't leave trash on the site and we don't salvage parts or take anything (though I make an exception for garden plants because I like to save a living thing from dying in the weeds).

Pay attention to the news too. If you listen to the news or read the newspaper you will sometimes hear about a business, school or other location being closed or abandoned. A place up for sale is not really abandoned but may be interesting to explore. An old school or factory being closed and likely to be demolished is technically abandoned and really nice to explore and document  in your photographs (before it's gone).

Read about local history. Find out about the old buildings, places and locations in your area. Chances are there are great places to explore right under your nose - you just haven't found out about them. What was the first house built in your town - is it still standing? What was the first industry or business in your town - where is it now? Visit your local museums and libraries, you will find a lot of local history there. Join your local historical society. Not only does this give you access to more resources but you will have a membership card to give you validation as a local historian. Keep your membership card with you when you explore. If someone doesn't like you being there you can at least prove your interest in history rather than being labelled a troublemaker.

What do you do After Exploring

What I like best, once I've scraped some of the muck off my shoes or boots and cleaned the rest of me up as well as I can, is a good coffee. I seem to pick rainy days to wander around taking photographs. Good for the photos but the leave me (and my camera) damp or right soaked through at times. I stop for coffee somewhere, visit the washroom to clean my hands and tidy up a bit.

The best part about after exploring is seeing your own photos and sharing them online (not all of them - I tend to pick the best and save the rest). I've been posting my photos to Flickr for a few years. I began a group for other explorers in my area. You can search the site and see if there are local explorers in your area. Share your photos and as you get feedback and get to know them you can begin asking them where they have been and what they have seen. Share tips, and locations. Let them know what you found when you were there. (Was there a dog, a dive bombing bird, an abandoned swing set in the back, something else interesting or useful to watch for?).

*Originally, I wrote this for h2g2 - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition ( the Unconventional Guide to Life, the Universe and Everything). But, they don't want illustrations added to the posts unless you have approval from a peer review, or more credentials from past work on the site. I don't know if I want to write for their site on top of the work I'm already doing so I'm just going to keep the post for here instead. *

I explore abandoned places, most often farm houses here in Ontario. I post my photos to Flickr, my account there and some of them I select to post to the groups I began for Ontario Rural Ruins and Canadian Rural Ruins. People like my photos and will often ask, "Did you go inside?".

I very seldom go inside the abandoned places I photograph. Not everyone understands this. Some people think you aren't a real explorer if you don't go inside. But, I feel differently. I love to see the outside of the homes for one thing. I also prefer the places which are very deteriorated, eroded by the elements and overgrown by plants. Those kind of places are not safe to enter. I know one explorer who has some engineering and fire fighter background, he takes more risks and enters the places which are risky. But, he is educated about it and decides to avoid anything dangerous.

There is another issue about entering an abandoned or derelict place. You don't own it. So you're trespassing in reality.

At an abandoned place you decide for yourself how far you should go. For me, I walk around the building (watching where I step) but I don't go inside. That's the point where it doesn't feel right to me.

About Trespassing

Basically, trespassing is going onto the owner's property knowing you are doing so and not having permission from the owner. So, by the law urban and rural and industrial exploring of property you don't own yourself, is trespassing.

But, I do it anyway. Sometimes I do stop at a clear sign that the property owner does not want anyone there. If I see a 'No Trespassing' sign or if the property has a locked gate blocking access, I will stop there and just use my camera's zoom feature to get what photos I can. You can take photos from a public access area - that isn't trespassing. You can walk up and down the street along a 'No Trespassing' location and take as many photos as you like. (From the public side).

But, I do sometimes take a step onto the property so I can see more. I don't cause any harm. I don't litter or take anything away with me. I also don't enter the premises (the building) on the property.

The odd times I have had someone stop and ask me what I was doing it was a neighbour who was curious. Sometimes they will tell me all they know about the building and the people who owned it (especially when it comes to old farm houses).

Once, I was asked to leave the premises by security. This was at a location in Orillia, Ontario which had once been a sanitarium. I think they left me to my own devices for awhile before approaching me. I was able to have a nice walk around and I had just finished taking the last photo I wanted to get when they stopped me. They were very nice about it and I had no problem leaving by then of course.

Just to note: a trespasser would probably not be prosecuted if the property was not fenced in, did not have trespassing signs and the land was open - if the trespasser did not interfere with the owner's use of the property and if the trespasser left without incident once (or if) they are asked to leave. (You can be asked to leave by someone who is not the owner and that counts too).

This is why I am strict about the 'Leave only footprints; take only photos' theme of exploration. This is also why I almost never enter the building on the property but I will carefully walk around it to view as much of it as I can.

Some people may think the property owner is just being a miser, a Scrooge or a Grinch about the whole trespassing thing. So, you need to consider it from their angle. First, if you are injured while on their property (even uninvited or as a trespasser) the property owner is liable for whatever happens to you. Not quite fair is it? The property owner isn't even there to have a voice in your exploration, yet they are responsible for you while you are there.

Of course, any harm you do while there will be left for them to deal with or clean up. So don't leave so much as a coffee cup around and don't take anything you didn't arrive with on your person. A property owner can claim ownership of the photos you have taken while accessing the property, if you were not on public grounds while taking the photograph.

Get started as an urban explorer with a great backpack. Mine is not as cool at this one from National Geographic, but I can dream (or think of it as a goal for the future). What sort of explorer wouldn't be tempted by something called an Earth Explorer Backpack designed by National Geographic (those explorers/ documenters of the world.

You don't need a lot of gear to be an urban explorer. The basics: digital camera, map, decent footwear, flashlight and something sensible, somewhat waterproof and light to carry them in. Some explorers bring a lot of safety gear, extra gadgets and electronic accessories. If you are exploring risky areas like drains, tunnels and industrial areas it is a good idea to come prepared for danger from gases, chemicals and whatever else might be lingering around.

You could bring water, exploring is thirsty work. I prefer to go for coffee somewhere after I've taken all the photos I want. Of course, it does depend on how mucky I end up being. Not many coffee shops are going to be happy with you if you track in a lot of mud and possibly worse smelling stuff (depending on where you explored that day).

Urban exploring (usually wandering around without permission) is taking a risk. You could be charged with trespassing. However, if you don't have a lot of gear and equipment (beyond your camera) you won't look like someone who has planned to cause trouble, steal or damage anything. I've never had any trouble. People ask what I am doing and I explain that I enjoy old buildings and like to have a look and take some photographs.

Another thing for explorers to know is the 'rule' of urban explorers. Take only photographs; leave only footprints. This means you don't take souvenirs, or remove anything from the property (other than your own garbage).

Don't confuse urban exploring with dare devil stunts. Urban explorers love history, old places and things. It isn't about taking risks or breaking laws. Urban exploring is about documenting history and using photography to share what we find with family, friends and others you can trust not to vandalize or break the rule; take only photographs; leave only footsteps.

There is something about carrying your gear, gadgets, camera and assorted stuff in a backpack from National Geographic. You can pick from smaller backpacks and take a look at the camera strap (below) too.

Resources for Urban Explorers in Canada

Whether you already live in Canada and like to explore or you are traveling through Canada and want to find places to explore and people to explore with... this post should help you track down resources online.

Groups and Resources for Canada

Flickr: Abandoned Canada Abandoned Canada

Flickr: Canadian Rural Ruins Canadian Rural Ruins

GhostTownsCanada.ca A photo gallery of Ghost Towns in Canada. Includes ghost towns that still have buildings, residents and those that are completely gone.

Canadian Military History by Bruce Forsyth A Short History of Abandoned and Downsized Canadian Military Bases.

List of defunct airports in Canada - Wikipedia List of defunct airports in Canada

Ghost towns in Canada Photographs and stories on ghost towns in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and the Northwest Territories.

Groups and Resources for British Columbia

Facebook: Haunted British Columbia Haunted British Columbia

Flickr: Abandoned British Columbia This is a place to share any photographs of places in British Columbia that have been abandoned.

Flickr: Vanishing Vancouver This group is for photos of disappearing aspects, or little fragments of the city that won't be around much longer.

Flickr: Vancouver "Then and Now" We'd like to get photos of Vancouver "then" and now. Archival, your parents' snapshots, whatever, and then a photo you've taken of the same area from the same angle as it stands currently...if possible, and placed side by side.

Groups and Resources for the Prairie Provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta)

Flickr: Abandoned Saskatchewan Abandoned Saskatchewan

Flickr: Saskatchewan Ghost Towns This group is about preserving a photographic legacy of Ghost Towns and near Ghost Towns in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Flickr: Unseen Saskatchewan This group is about showing the hidden beauty of Saskatchewan. Whether it be rural decay, amazing skies, ghost towns, unique architecture or places in cities, towns and tourist areas that are rarely seen.

Flickr: Historical and Abandoned Alberta Post your photos of buildings located in Alberta that are abandoned and/or of historical significance.

Flickr: Historical and Abandoned Edmonton Historic, old or abandoned buildings in Edmonton, Alberta.

Flickr: Historical Calgary Gathering old photos of Calgary and area, and taking new photos of the same locations to illustrate the changes over time that our city has seen.

Groups and Resources for Ontario

Flickr: Ontario Rural Ruins Ontario Rural Ruins

Urbex Barrie Urban exploration blog from a Barrie based explorer.

The Exploration Project Blog from an urban explorer in Ontario.

Google Groups: Urbex Ontario Message board for urban explorers in Ontario. Must be approved to join - usually you need to be an active explorer and know someone who can vouch for you.

Urban Exploration Resource Part of the large UER site for the Ontario locations.

Ontario Ghost Towns and Abandoned Places Ontario Ghost Towns and Abandoned Places

Facebook: Abandoned Houses of Ontario Abandoned Houses of Ontario.

Flickr: Ontario Canada Farms Farms in Ontario, welcomes abandoned farm photos too.

Flickr: Northern Ontario Abandoned Abandoned Northern Ontario locations.

Flickr: Abandoned Ontario Abandoned Ontario

Flickr: The Decay of Quinte Ontario The decay of Quinte, Ontario.

Flickr: Abandoned Niagara Abandoned Niagara, Ontario.

Flickr: Thunder Bay in Decay Thunder Bay in decay.

Facebook: Ontario Ghost Towns and Historical Places Ontario ghost towns and historical places.

Exploring Ontario Rural Ruins I've been photographing Ontario rural ruins since 2006, when I bought my first digital camera. There is something I like about the old, abandoned places in city, town and farm which I can only try to show in photographs.

Vanished Ottawa Historical and vanishing Ottawa, Ontario.

Groups and Resources for Quebec

Flickr: Abandoned Quebec Abandoned Quebec

Flickr: Abandoned Montreal Abandoned Montreal

Flickr: Vanished Montreal / Montréal disparu Post pictures of places, buildings or streets that aren't there anymore or which have been totally transformed. You can also post vintages pictures of Montreal and ghost ads.

Flickr: Montreal, Avant et Maintenant Montréal is a changing city. Let's see the difference with before/now photos.

Groups and Resources for Atlantic Canada (East Coast)

Halifax Urbex Halifax Urbex

Facebook: Atlantic Canada Urban Exploration Atlantic Canada Urban Exploration

Groups and Resources in Northern Canada

Facebook: Abandoned Mines in Northern Canada Project Abandoned mines in Northern Canada

Flickr: Abandoned Alaska and Yukon Abandoned Alaska and the Yukon

Abandoned Mines in Northern Canada Searching for histories within Northern Canada's industrial landscapes.

You can be an urban explorer safely. But, it means setting limits on how far you go when you are exploring. You will also need to buy some extra gear and be prepared to carry it around.

Let's be upfront, urban exploration is not safe. It's not a safe, clean and tidy hobby. There are dangers and risks involved: animals, holes, damaged buildings, drains, chemicals, police, and so on. Of course, the risks all depend on where and how you are exploring.

You can be an urban explorer and take less risks, play safe. I tend to be this way myself. I have some admiration for those who investigate drain tunnels, sewer systems, and infiltrate buildings and places past the point of 'staff only' and 'no trespassing' signs. It's jut not for me.

So, play safe if you want to but understand you will have to set limits on how far you go and how much you see.

You're also going to need to spend some money on extra gear like better footwear, flash lights and exploring clothes.

Of course, you also need to read up on trespassing laws and bylaws in your area. If you really want to be safe you need to find and contact the property owner and get real permission for your exploring there.

The Risks of Exploring Dangerous Places

Some people call it urban spelunking, because it's like climbing around in caves - in the city.

You need a lot of the same gear too if you're going to go inside industrial sites, drains, subways, bridges, tunnels, sewers, rooftops, and derelict places where the floor could give in, there could be chemical or biological waste and so on.

Urban Exploring Gear

How much gear you need depends strongly on how dirty you plan to get exploring.

I explore old farm houses in rural Ontario, mainly. I bring along my camera, a map book and I usually stash a pair of sturdy boots in the car. I wear clothes I can move in and wash easily. I don't tend to walk through much, other than tall grass and weeds. But, I have run into territorial birds and I had a bee stuck in my hair that buzzed around for what seemed ages before it found it's way out (without stinging me!).

If you are exploring mine shafts, tall buildings, grain elevators:

Rock climbing gear.

If you are exploring tunnels, drains, sewers:

Portable gas detectors, oxygen monitors, or handheld air quality testers. Portable SCBA units or emergency air canisters.

If you are exploring underground or buildings/ places with asbestos or black mould:

P-95 or better air respirator.

If you are exploring unstable environments like unstable buildings and abandoned mines:

Hard hat. OSHA approved training in confined spaces.

If you don't understand the gear or know how to use it, get that information and training. Don't become an urban exploration statistic.

Trespassing: Where do you Stand?

Urban explorers have their own rules about where to draw the line on entering property they want to explore.

Some explorers literally will go anywhere. But this is not the standard, or the theme which urban exploration goes by. Urban exploration has a motto: take only photos, leave only footprints. Urban explorers are not vandals, scavengers for vintage house parts and they do not spray graffiti around. Also, urban explorers do not break and enter.

Instead of cutting a fence and urban explorer will look for access to the site which does not involved breaking or cutting anything. We might crawl under a fence, enter through a hole someone else has already left or walk past signs stating 'no trespassing'. It's a fine line, a small distinction but there are some ethics to urban exploring. Also, a pride in not crossing the line.

Urban exploration is about exploring, not causing damage to property (or upsetting property owners) by stealing, harming or leaving garbage of our own at the site.

Read more about trespassing laws in your own province or state. You should have the right information for your location and situation. In general, you are trespassing if you are on private property without permission.

This means you can take photos from the street, the sidewalk, the pathway, behind the fence... and be perfectly safe from trespassing. In cases like this it is really nice to have a digital camera with a lot of zoom.

Some Urban Exploration Links to Get Started With

• Place Hacking

• Forbidden Places

• Dark Passage

• Flickr: Canadian Rural Ruins

• Flickr: Ontario Rural Ruins

• Urban Exploration Resource

• HowStuffWorks : Top 10 Cities for Urban Exploration

• HowStuffWorks : The Origins and Codes of Urban Exploration

• A Complete Guide to Urban Exploration - Bearings

• Infiltration: Timeline

• The Past, Present, & Future of Urban Exploration