Location Longevity - How to Explore Into the Future

[Chadmin]

Location Longevity is the practice of exploring in a way that allows us to keep exploring the same location well into the future; allowing new explorers joining our community to share the same experiences that we did when we first did the spot. Isn't it cool to experience a spot decay slowly and bow to nature than at the hands of vandals, taggers, and thieves? If you're interested in helping spots last, we ask that you familiarize yourself with the information below.

Keep the Spot Secret!
Don't share the details about a spot with people you don't know or trust. Also be selective with who you bring exploring; it only takes one person to ruin a spot. Vet your friends carefully. Codenames are a great way to discuss spots in the open without people being able to easily figure out what/where it is (e.g.) "Virgin Destroyer Drain", "Deer Skull Mine", "Solar School"). Codenames also add a layer of fun to exploring; if you find a new spot in our community, you get to name it whatever you want!

Leave No Trace - and Try To Leave It Better
We practice low impact exploring in KCUE. We don't get our adrenaline from taunting the cops and security and escaping, we get our rush in getting away with it. Some places might look like they are wrecked but they might be more actively cared for than expected so we need to make sure that we don't leave any trace that we were there. Not only does this keep the spot looking cool, it also keeps our entry points safe from sealing. Nothing gets a building owner motivated to seal their building more than a giant graffiti tag or expensive things going missing.

To leave no trace we should avoid moving objects, avoid taking souvenirs (especially one off objects or artifacts), avoid leaving tags where not appropriate, and clean up after ourselves. Leaving beer cans, cigarette/weed butts, and wrappers is just rude. If the spot looks pretty clean, we should do our best to try and make sure we aren't contributing to a spot becoming a dump.

Respect Access and Barriers
In exploring, you'll realize that sometimes you might need a little help from Mr. Screwdriver, Mrs. Catspaw, or Dr. Lockpicks to get into a spot. There nothing wrong with using tools to gain access to a spot, where we draw the line however is causing irreversible damage to property whether indirectly or physically. If it can't be secured back the way you found it, its not a good idea. Sometimes is best to wait until the conditions are more ideal to crack a spot!

Do not brutally force entry; absolutely no spot is worth damaging your rep and the spot itself to see. This does not help keep the location accessible and its just childish, selfish and short-sighted. Do you think the owners going to notice the modified strike plate we installed so we can slip the latch or do you think they'll notice the open heart surgery you performed on the door? There are plenty of bypasses for security measures that we can use to our advantage. Cutting locks and prying things open are crappy short-term solutions. Breaking windows is also a dick thing to do; so don't be that guy. Read about Overt, Covert, and Surreptitious entry here.

Be Stealthy - For You and the Spot
When walking around, or traversing stairways, don't stomp the yard. If you've ever been in marching band, you might remember rolling your steps. Use this technique to help you sneak around. I can't tell you how many times missions were blown because people were stomping around. It does make for the occasional funny story but its obviously not a desired outcome when we're exploring.

We also want to make sure we are not increasing foot traffic to a spot. If you're at a new spot everyday for a week, you're more likely to run into someone who cares than if you only went once-a-week or even once-a-month. Take into account other people you've shared the spot with too; this is often the thing that causes the spot to get sealed up. You might be going once-a-week, but Billy is going every Tuesday and Wednesday, and Shelly is going almost everyday when shes not working. Increased traffic to spots always has a negative effect on them.

When entering or exiting a spot, also take care to make sure you aren't lingering. Get in and get out. There have been many times where we've been spotted getting into a bando because we lingered and next time we visited, theres a guy living inside or scrappers have hit the spot hard.

(Not) Sharing is Caring
Social media plays a large part in location longevity. A lot of explorers would prefer you avoid posting anything but if you absolutely have to be active online, read our social media ethics here.

Know When Not to Go
If you've ever heard the phrase, "patience is a virtue", you might be surprised to hear that it applies to urbex as well. Sometimes that bridge, tunnel, or building is just not in ideal conditions and its better to wait for the stars to align. Security might be tight today, but that could all change tomorrow. Keep up to date on things happening in your city, and come up with a real plan. 'Smash-and-grab' exploring is not what we do here. Its not fun to crowbar into a building, and quickly speed run the whole place in under 60 seconds and take off before the cops get there.

A good example I can give is a certain tunnel was always swarming with security. It was on my bucket list for years but it had been out of reach from explorers for a decade at least. You couldn't even get close to it without someone breathing down your neck asking what you were doing. Yea I could've smashed and cut my way in, got my shots and ran away before the cops could get there, but whats the fun in that? After awhile, the business moved out of the building above and the security disappeared. This window allowed us to find a sneaky bypass inside without using tools at all. I got to experience my dream without compromising the spot or my record.

If you care about exploring long term, into your adulthood, and into retirement: you might be wise to learn that patience is indeed a virtue.