I have always loved hiking and exploring, and I often partake in geocaching, and those activities satisfy that desire somewhat. However, there is nothing like adding a little danger to the equation for a bit of that rush, the fear of getting caught or what you might find.

But there is one thing that I have never gotten a chance to really do, urban exploration, also known as Urbex or UE. Often highly illegal and involving the need to break through doors, locks, and fences.

Every now and then, I come across an article that rejuvenates my interest in the area. This posting is a list of really cool places that I will probably only ever dream of seeing in person.

Chernobyl

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster

Some day I would like to travel to the Ukraine and explore the area with a local guide of the tourists beaten path.

Abandoned Military Bunkers & Missile Silos

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=277744

After reading an article about climbers exploring abandoned missile silos and mapping out military complexes, I knew it was something I would like to explore one day.

Paris Catacombs

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/paris-catacombs/16561

This is a fascinating place. Add on the fact that it is an extremely old tunnel system and the creepiness of thousands of human remains piled on the floor to the height of your head. Would be an incredible sight to see.

Sewers, Drains, and Subway Systems

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2651937/The-people-living-in-drains-below-Las-Vegas.html

Interesting article with pictures of people living the drains of Las Vegas

Caves, Cracks

Really don’t have some links for this, but any cave or crack in the earth/rock/ice would be interesting to explore, especially deep mutli-day treks into the void.

Various links on the topic

http://www.infiltration.org/index.html

A website dedicated to exploring places you should not be.

http://www.uer.ca/

A Canadian Forum for interested UE

I’ve always thought it was inspiring and a cool thing to do. There have been many variations like it such as the traveling Gnome which you have probably heard stories about and who doesn’t know somebody that has taken a picture or video of something in different places doing different things? I believe why it’s still a popular thing to do is that it’s a relatively hard to do. The traveling, the cost, the commitment, but in the end it’s a funny story, cool photo album or a funny video that you can share with friends and family and possibly, the world.

I have embedded his first 3 videos, and if you are still interested, I have linked to his about page which has three 25 minute videos totaling about an hour long which talk about his trips, how it happened and why. He also has a YouTube channel, so if you are interested in keeping up with his videos, subscribe.

All in all I think it’s a very interesting and inspiring story and is why it is in my top favorite list. You might think it is just dancing, but I think it’s much much more than that.

Where the Hell WAS Matt? (2003-2005) Original

Where the Hell is Matt? (2007)

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

Check out his website and blog here: Where the Hell is Matt?