Further Into the City

As an urban explorer I started out with the usual abandoned buildings. For a long time my fellow explorers and I were finding new places to explore almost every time we would venture out. Cleveland was full of them and we made quick work of exploring and photographing them. Ten years later and I'm still finding new abandoned buildings to explore but they're not as plentiful as they once were. Cleveland isn't the same city that it was, and so many of the old buildings have been renovated or reduced to a pile of ruble. It can be frustrating when the desire to explore and discover new things is so high, but finding new places is more and more difficult. Which is why I have had to learn to think outside the box when it comes to finding places to explore. 

This is one of the places that makes me feel like a true explorer and adventurer. That sense of discovery, and the feeling of being completely removed from the rest of the world. 

There is no easy way to get down here. It takes a certain level of ingenuity and desperation. I took photos to document our process but I won't be sharing them. This is one of those places that deserves to remain hidden.

Jason stands on top of century old bridging over massive pipes.

There aren't too many places in this city where you can find graffiti this old.

My shadow cast across the wall and ceiling of one of the larger rooms.

More graffiti left behind by workers.

Desperate to get into the flooded passage between these pipes but that will have to wait for another day. Our Palladium Boots took quite a beating this night. 

An old wooden electric box. 

Without going into too much detail, this adventure was capped off by a man in a uniform, a flashlight, and a very quick exit.

We drove back to my apartment before realizing that it was still way too early to call it a night. So we went here.

I can't imagine life without nights like this. The thrill of discovery. The excitement of close calls. And the memories made with great friends. 

Photos taken with a Canon 6D, and Canon 60D; using a Canon 20mm f/2.8 and Rokinon 8mm fisheye.