Girl explorers - What's in your urbex handbag?!

[GeorgieKirrin]

It's pretty obvious that we're in the minority but I was just curious how many female urbexers there are out there?!

AND.. I wanna know if anyone else has the 'what to take curse'? Despite aspiring to intrepid explorer status, I always seem to pack a bag full of stuff I don't use and omit the stuff I really need... So it's hot, I wear shorts and end up in a prickly nettley place. Or it's cold, I take layers, never wear them. Take three torches - don't end up anywhere dark. Take a waterproof, it doesn't rain. And this is without lipgloss

Men always seem to have everything one could possibly need in their backpack but don't seem to carry loads of stuff... what's the secret?!?!

 

[Foxylady]

Ooh, interesting question, Laurabops.
I don't drive and either walk everywhere or, if further afield, bus then walk. So, I tend to keep stuff to a minimum.

Here's what I wear...

Boots
Jeans
T-shirt if hot
Jumper if cold
Jacket if colder
Wristwatch

Here's what I take...

Camera, slung around my neck

Backpack, inside main compartment...

Several Rolls of Film
Torch/Headlight (not always, depending on what I'm doing)
OS Maps/Bus Timetable
Personal CD Player/Headphones/Spare Batteries (bus journeys only)
Small flask of coffee (not always, but when necessary)
Small bottle of water
Sandwich if out all day/kitkat or mini pork pie
Umbrella
Specs (If wearing contact lenses, in case I have to take them out)

In smaller compartments...

Baccy/Ciggy Papers/Lighter
Small notebook/Pen/Pencils
Tide Tables/Small book of hand-drawn maps
Anadin Extra tablets/Antiseptic Cream/Wipes
Small mirror/Lens Cleaner

In Jeans Pockets...

Purse, with money/cards
House Key
Tissue

That's about it! It sounds a lot but most items are small and flat and hardly take any room, and I've usually got plenty of space left for some shopping on the way home.

 

[littlelaura]

My bags more or less the same just with the addition of a few packets of fruit pastiles and a fair bit of random crap... ooh and lip balm. Cant live without that...

 

[smileysal]

lol, don't think we've been asked this before. lol.

I used to take everything but the kitchen sink out with me, but since meeting mendo, I've started cutting down on taking stuff out.

I wear:-

Vest top, with T-shirt on top, so if it's coldish i'm warm, but can take either off depending on how hot it is.
Fleece,
Jeans,
OR those walking trousers I got from Aldi. Can either be trousers, or if hot, can zip off the bottom part to make into shorts.
Normal sock, and rambling boot socks,
Rambling boots, as they're sturdy and waterproof.
Baseball cap if it's hot, and tie hair up in ponytail lol.

In bag,

Camera,
Spare memory card,
Box of batteries,
head torch,
torch,
tissues, (loads of em lol),
Pack of baby wipes,
(lip balm lol).

Food,

normally cheese and onion sandwiches,
mars bar,
bottle of water, or powerade,

and the compulsory bag of cadbury's mini eggs.

Oh and not forgetting the tripod, but that's in it's own bag.

Sal

ps, ooooooooops nearly forgot doh.

lighter, cigarettes, purse and keys.

 

[Alir147]

right im not a woman, but hopefully some of my male input might help!

i actually take next to nothing. i wear scaffy clothes and scaffy trainers for most places, unless it's a pretty clean / newly abandoned place. camera and tripod i just carry. a torch in my pocket (and hope that everyone else has brought one too!) - sometimes a disposable mask in the other pocket. phone and car keys also in a pocket. and that's it. i try and avoid taking a pack as much as possible. i like going really lightweight. definitely none of this lip-gloss malarky!

 

[Foxylady]

... definitely none of this lip-gloss malarky!

You just haven't found the right colour to suit you yet!

 

[Alir147]

You just haven't found the right colour to suit you yet!

it's true! maybe some of you guys will be able to help me!

i must say though, on 3 occasions now, (all at abandoned hospitals coincidently), i've needed to use other people's first aid kits, and quite often i've had to borrow torches. also sometimes miss having water with me after hours in musty corridors etc, so going too lightweight does have it's disadvantages.

 

[Anthillmob74]

i dont take my handbag as its full to the brim of the usual makeup, old receipts, tampons, unecessary items and one pair of socks for 'boris' [why i dont know]

if i go exploring i borrow mr mobs rucksack and jam it full with sausage rolls, a bottle of coke, house keys and car key, purse and one card [kept seperate incase i lose me purse and need money], mobile, urbex bogroll , spare batteries, camera and from now on my mini first aid kit of bandages and plasters. oh and i stuff my coat in there incase the heavens open.

and if im wearing my contacts i take the contact pot and my glasses incase i need to put me glasses on due to tired eyes or dirt in a lens [painful]

i wear my trusty black jeans and a vest top [i wear vest tops all year round] and my ****** trainers. sometimes i wear my other jeans but ive had them since the year dot and they be going a bit threadbare in the arse.

 

[Anthillmob74]

i forgot me ****. im paranoid though tht if i was searched [what is the low down on the legalities of being searched?] because i use matches and not a lighter because of my arthritic fingers. im paranoid that matches may make me look like im some kind of arsonist out for a spot of pyromania.

 

[foz101]

I've seen a pic of the contents of gorecki's bag online before. It was an experience. And I've been a witness to AliR's hospital misfortune.

Rucksack: camera, camcorder, big torch, little torch, head torch, t-bar key, pen, pencils, laser pen, glow sticks, water/drink, tripod.

Me: relevant casual clothes, keys, phone, wallet, loose change, general air of anonymity.

Tampons not required.

 

[kernowexpeditionary]

Tampons not required.

they make great firelighters sld the emergency need arise!

 

[cogito]

It's pretty obvious that we're in the minority

Out of our little group of local explorers, 60% are female!

 

[smileysal]

Doh, forgot something else as well. :embarrassed:

Fast healing spray,
Air tight plasters,
and the obligitory loo roll

Think that's it. :embarassed:

Sal

 

[oldscrote]

i forgot me ****. im paranoid though tht if i was searched [what is the low down on the legalities of being searched?] because i use matches and not a lighter because of my arthritic fingers. im paranoid that matches may make me look like im some kind of arsonist out for a spot of pyromania.

I too have arthritic hands but use a Zippo lighter.No fear of being called an arsonist with one although they have set fire to things in films on loads of occasions









qquentin tarrentino' dusk till dawn' blows a garage all to hell right at the start for instance}Ideal urbex lighter wind proof the lot.

 

[Foxylady]

...Ideal urbex lighter wind proof the lot.

I have a zippo but it's a rebellious little thing (just like me! ) and point blank refuses to work when it's cold or windy!!! :icon_evil I often take a box of matches with me too, just in case it's gone on strike...or not striking!

 

[Black Shuck]

I have a zippo but it's a rebellious little thing (just like me! ) and point blank refuses to work when it's cold or windy!!! :icon_evil I often take a box of matches with me too, just in case it's gone on strike...or not striking!

Foxy could you imagine using your Zippo underground in a tunnel!

 

[Foxylady]

Foxy could you imagine using your Zippo underground in a tunnel!

I wouldn't dare in case something explodes!!!

 

[Black Shuck]

I wouldn't dare in case something explodes!!!

Badoosh did Withcall first time with his mate with nowt but Zippos and they ran out halfway through the tunnel! Sod that for a game of soldiers.

 

[Dystopia]

My usual stuff:

Sun glasses (I don't see too well in bright sun).
Compact camera
Phone
Wallet
Respirator
"Ladies things"
Lip gloss because I burn and dry out easily
Rain mac
Loo roll
Gloves
Bottle of water
Snacks
Two head torches
Batteries (for the torches before any filthy minds suggest otherwise )

I rarely go on an explore without these items but in summer it expands to include sunscreen and sun hat.

If I'm staying far away, I normally have a larger bag that I leave at the Travelodge/person's house whilst urbexing.

 

[Mimble]

Oooooooo!
Rucksack: spare lens for camera, glasses in case of contact-malfunctions, jumper, tissues, phone, biccies, sketch pad, pens, pencils, mepore tape for sticking dislocated fingers and kneecaps back on, plasters and usually a small penknife.
Me: I tend to stick to jeans, ugg boots (yes, I like to be a chav on explores...), t-shirt and my hair tied up in a scarf. I keep upon me a dust mask and sunglasses (both on head), my camera, and money.
Thank god I don't often have to worry about tampons and suchlike. Although they're good for writing in dust with