URBAN EXPLORATION LOCALLY
Interest in Urban Exploration may not be extremely high, but those who do it are often freakishly devoted. Locally, there are approximately 15 people in Calgary, 25 in Alberta, that meet as a part of an organized exploration group; Urban Exploration Alberta (see link below).
To avoid any legal problems that often come alongside the “trespassing” that is Urban Exploration, the members of UEA, as well as other organized exploration groups, use codenames to conceal their identity. As much as it is a legal concern, it is also definitely a part of the escapism and “secret world” of the heterotopias that these mysterious urban spaces provide.
SITES + SPACES IN CALGARY
There are several drains in Calgary that are suitable for explorations, the others being too small for a human and flowing into the larger runoff drains. There are also a few selective abandoned sites in and around Calgary, but as a result of the city’s “tear down the old, throw up the new” mentality, it is very difficult to find sites to explore.
To further add to the mystery of the Urban Exploration subculture, codenames are also used to refer to exploration sites, often called “missions” by avid explorers. These missions are usually named by the first explorer to discover the site. Here are a few missions (and their codenames) in and around Calgary.
Confederation Park Cemetery Drain (Codename: Slaughterhaus)
Info: A Small runoff system in a valley area in NW Calgary. Running under a cemetery, ghosts and other “scary” graffiti cover the walls in a larger “meeting” room in the center of the drain fork.
Marlbourough Park NE Drain (Codename: Valdez)
Info: The largest drain in Calgary, this is where the majority of the NE drain networks flow into. Starting off at 5 feet, the drain then drops into a 3m square pipe. Quite large – some people even ride their bikes through this beast.
MacLeod Trail Drain (Codename: Black Curtain)
Info: A drain that runs under MacLeod Trail and ends up in a golf course near Anderson station.
Molson Brewery Inglewood (Codename: Strange Brew)
Info: This massive Brewery is by far the largest abandoned site in Calgary. Formally abandoned in the late 90’s, a small portion of this space is now used for storage. The rest of the building is in some pretty rough shape, lots of pigeon shit and small amounts of asbestos in certain rooms (a respirator is highly recommended). Security cameras can be found all over the abandoned site to prevent squatters, however the cameras are only on selectively so you must be careful and time out your exploration just right to avoid a run in with the law.
High River Magnesium Plant (Codename: MagCan)
Info: A massive abandoned factory just off of the highway 2. It is the largest structure for miles so it is easy to spot. Entry is difficult, but once inside this factory is a great exploration. Most of the magnesium dust was thoroughly cleaned when the factory was abandoned, making this mission fairly safe. Dangers include extremely high heights with drops of over 200 feet.
Downtown YMCA (Codename: Hitchcock’s Temple of Fitness)
Info: A local legend amongst the Urban Exploration community, this site has recently been demolished and replaced by a large office tower. Opened on May 21st 1954, this space was the main fitness and hostel facility in downtown Calgary. With a basement floor, 2 floors of fitness/gym/pool above ground, and 3 floors of rooms/hostel space above that, this was one of the best and most feature-filled abandoned spaces Calgary had ever seen. Abandoned on August 26th 1988, this site sat for over 15 years before being demolished due to an illegal rave that caused health problems (a result of horrible air quality) in many partying teens. Pigeons, collapsing floors, water damage, toxic mold, extremely high asbestos content, and a high traffic street made this one of the most exciting and dangerous missions. Here are a few photos of the opening day, as well as photos taken of the same spaces after abandonment.
An image in the main gym on opening day, May 21st, 1954
A photo of the main gym in 2003 after being abandoned for over 15 years.
An image of the main pool on opening day.
A photo of the main pool in 2003 after being abandoned.
PREPARING YOURSELF FOR AN EXPLORATION
For the most part, explorations are fairly safe. There are a few things you can always do to make sure all your explorations go smoothly and you stay healthy. If you are draining, make sure the skies are clear and there is no rain in the forecast, as well as no precipitation in previous days. Always tell at least one person where you are going because accidents happen and if you get injured or lost the chances of someone finding you are slim to none.
Here is a nice little list of basic supplies that we drew up to help you stay prepared to explore ethically and keep yourself out of trouble.
Rubber Boots: Self Explanatory. Drains are wet and you want dry feet.
Backpack: A good place to hold all other supplies that you won’t be wearing on your body.
Snacks: Sometimes exploring takes awhile. People get hungry.
Water: People get thirsty too.
Helmet: Not necessary for most explorations, but sometimes spaces get small and you hit your head. Protect your noggin.
Flashlight: Most places you will explore are dark and it is always important to have at least one flashlight.
Headlamp: Easier than a flashlight because you don’t have to hold it. These things are invaluable when you are exploring.
Respirator Mask: Airflow in drains are usually great, so a respirator won’t be necessary. However, many abandoned sites have poor airflow and very harmful substances in the air. Better to be safe than wind up with toxic mold poisoning or asbestosis down the road.
Warm Clothing: most, if not all, abandoned sites get cold. Even in the summer, the temperature stays fairly cool inside drains and abandoned sites. Stay comfortable. Stay warm.
Rope: Sometimes you can get stuck in places or your buddy may fall through a floor (that would really suck). Either way, have a way to track your path or to pull things/people up or out of strange spaces.
Crowbar: Great for lifting manhole covers. IMPORTANT: You should never use force to get into an abandoned space. If it is open, go in, if you have to break something to get in, then go away. If you have a crowbar on you and you think you are about to get caught, ditch it and ditch it fast. It may mean the difference between going to jail because the cops think you are vandalizing, or the cops thinking you are just a nice curious student. Same goes for spraypaint. If you feel like being an asshole and taking paint/markers, well, you probably deserve to get caught, but ditch it if you hear people coming.
Pocketknife/Leatherman: These things are handy as hell and you’ll probably find yourself needing it at somepoint. It’s ok to screw something open to get in, as long as you put it back when you are done.
Extra Batteries: For when you light runs out and when you don’t want to screw yourself.
Tape and Tinfoil: Some places, like the Strange Brew Mission, have motion sensors. It is best to avoid these places all together, but if you are experiences and feel like being James Bond, you can successfully dodge security cameras/motion sensors with some black tape and tinfoil if you know what you are doing.
LINKS
Drains of My City: His UEA “name is ReduxZero, and he is seriously dedicated to exploration and the documentation of our local heterotopias. On this site you can find his photographs (which are quite great), as well as PDF files and in depth reports on his explorations (even mini sites on roadtrips and missions!). Most of his explorations are in Alberta too, so you can get a sense of the spaces you usually don’t see which are in your own backyard. Definitely worth checking out.
Urban Exploration Alberta : A group (more of a “secret club”) of Albertans dedicated to Urban Exploration in and around our fine province. They even meet in person every week at the Hop in Brew pub at 8PM! On this website you can find galleries and articles to “missions” that have been completed by the members of this group.
Infiltration : A nice little online zine specializing in places you aren’t supposed to go. Showing Drains, Churches, Hospitals, etc.
Abandoned : A great site that focuses on abandoned sites of all shapes and sizes. The main focus is Kentucky, but missions across the Unites States are also featured. Lots of photos… great
G-Cans : The world’s largest drain: GCANS! In a small town in Japan that takes in virtually all the water in Japan when the local river basin floods. Totally crazy.
Happy Exploring!
Brennan K.
Claire O.
Marc R.
Rachel R.
Connor W.
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