11 replies to this topic

[Josh_Soka80]

Anyone here into urban exploration or parkour? I'd like to get into it (if I can find the time) it seems really interesting. Just wondering about anyone's thoughts on this. Unfortunatly I live in more of a suburban area and theres not really anywhere to do anything like this.

[Mr-Protocol]

Hit up youtube with "parkour" and you can find all sorts of things. I'd suggest work out a lot and strengthen the stabilizer muscles before going out jumping around and hurting yourself. You WILL use muscles you don't regularly use.

[int0x80]

I used to; not sure on the real differences but I consider UE to be more of getting on rooftops or into buildings and parkour to be more of free-running/climbing. Being in shape does help, but it's like anything else in life where you'll get better the more you do it.

There are parkour meet-ups and stuff you can find online, but all you need is a friend who is also interested that can look out for the cops or call them if you get yourself in a fix. Be sure to turn off your phone before you go out

[Josh_Soka80]

I don't really care as much about the stunts as I do about the getting from point A to B fast, or point A to point Not normally able to get. I know its kinda lame, but I think I'm actually going to try to take this up and see how I do.

[Morfir]

I don't really care as much about the stunts as I do about the getting from point A to B fast, or point A to point Not normally able to get. I know its kinda lame, but I think I'm actually going to try to take this up and see how I do.

UE isn't lame at all. There are some absolutely fantastic places you can find by doing it. I've just recently taken it up after a talk I watch on YouTube from a old defcon, may want to check it out. Just make sure you have another interested individual and never carry lock picks.

[Josh_Soka80]

UE isn't lame at all. There are some absolutely fantastic places you can find by doing it. I've just recently taken it up after a talk I watch on YouTube from a old defcon, may want to check it out. Just make sure you have another interested individual and never carry lock picks.

Lol why shouldn't I carry my picks?

And theres an abandoned asylum near me that people go to a lot, I've seen some videos but its a little too spooky for me to want to visit.

This is the best one I've been able to find --->

Edited by soka80, 02 February 2012 - 01:15 PM.

[int0x80]

Picks can technically be considered burglary tools; and you are technically trespassing. From law enforcement officials I've talked with, the picks only really become an issue if you have a history of B&E and a burglary has just been reported in your vicinity. But the letter of the law is what it is; and you never know when the officer is having a bad day. So in most cases, the picks probably won't be an issue, but the "don't bring your picks" line is probably said with the mentality of "why risk making a bad situation worse".

I'm not a lawyer, I'm not your lawyer, this does not constitute legal advice, et al.

[True_Grift]

Carrying around a pick set is going to ruin your day if you're caught, its probably the sketchiest thing I can think of being caught with, however you can use improvised picks to pick most locks anyways, without being caught with 'burglary tools'.

I have a decent set of Southord picks, but I've always had a lot more fun using improvised tools.

There used to be some pretty decent guides online, like lockpicking101, but really to get started just try things that look like they might work. 'Bobby' pins work especially well to replace rakes and sometimes work better than normal picks. Paperclips can even be fashioned into them, and are easily replaceable if you have to lose it for whatever reason. Tension wrenches are harder to come by, paperclips and bobby pins CAN work, but are generally a nightmare. The metal clip on pens can work really well, especially on padlocks, but aren't good for light tension. I've used everything from packing staples to a screw driver for a tension tool. Try everything.

You could get one of those cheesy Secret Agent credit card picksets. I bought one for fun, but they can actually be pretty handy, and if you keep them in the right place, not as likely to be found.

Have fun

[Josh_Soka80]

under the soul of your shoe? lol or in the lining of a coat? that's where i keep a small sample of picks.

[Atomix]

Never been one for parkour - not much in there area where I live unless you count simple cinder block walls. Urban exploration was something I was interested in years back that I discovered on Totse. I got a buddy and we headed out to try and explore but the first place we tried to go into, an old run down bar was home to wild dogs. Needless to say we never bothered again as most of the area has nothing of great interest. Was really odd though found boxes packed with drivers license scans which was a sign we had better get out of the area ASAP. Just goes to show you sometimes you can find some pretty neat stuff. As others have said picks are a bad idea to have on your person normally you won't need to open locks but if you do just carry a couple bumpers on your key ring they usually don't attract attention. I know bumpers are not as cool as picks but you're less likely to get busted for them unless the officer is looking at them head on and knows what they're used for. But just make sure you do not go alone just in case there is some sort of issue. Have fun.

[SoulSaber1]

Hey, I do some freerunning, and some basic advice: train hard, train often. Same as everything else. The stronger you become, the faster, farther, higher you can go. And always run with a friend. It's way more fun, and if you get hurt, you have someone there. And, dont carry lockpicks. If you need them for something, it will be illegal. And its better not to be carrying anything suspicious. To many people misunderstand the sport. Basically, if you go out, represent the sport well. And from experience, get a pair of fingerless gloves. They let you still climb without screwing up your hands. And start with small drops first. Never do a 20 footer without some badass training and leg muscle. I've seen some people get hurt real bad.

[hfam]

Carrying around a pick set is going to ruin your day if you're caught, its probably the sketchiest thing I can think of being caught with, however you can use improvised picks to pick most locks anyways, without being caught with 'burglary tools'.

I have a decent set of Southord picks, but I've always had a lot more fun using improvised tools.

There used to be some pretty decent guides online, like lockpicking101, but really to get started just try things that look like they might work. 'Bobby' pins work especially well to replace rakes and sometimes work better than normal picks. Paperclips can even be fashioned into them, and are easily replaceable if you have to lose it for whatever reason. Tension wrenches are harder to come by, paperclips and bobby pins CAN work, but are generally a nightmare. The metal clip on pens can work really well, especially on padlocks, but aren't good for light tension. I've used everything from packing staples to a screw driver for a tension tool. Try everything.

You could get one of those cheesy Secret Agent credit card picksets. I bought one for fun, but they can actually be pretty handy, and if you keep them in the right place, not as likely to be found.

Have fun

Good advice all around.

A few things to add:

- Do yourself a favor and find the video "Lockpicking for the New Millennium". Aside from the overplayed cheezy 5 minute intro, it is one of the most well done lockpicking resources I've ever seen. The information, as well as the demonstrations, are absolutely top notch.

- Street Cleaner/Sweeper "tines" or bristles make perfect tension wrenches. You can find these along the side of any suburban road that a street sweeper patrols, as they come loose from the brush and often wind up next to the sidewalk.

Good luck!