What do you take?

[rectory-rat]

When I got into this whole thing, I invested in asbestos-proof coveralls and a (too expensive) full face respirator. They have never come out the cupboard since. It's just not worth bothering with unless you're paddling through disturbed asbestos, which I wouldn't recommend.

I normally wear cheap black jeans, black hoodie and black converse hi tops (they give you a bit of ankle protection) I have steel toe boots I use on occasion, but the steel makes them so inflexible they're hard to climb in. And a pashmina scarf, warm and a handy face cover too.

Then, in the rucksack goes:

•Camera and lens
•FFP3 disposable mask
•Leather gloves
•Latex gloves - I'm weird about germs, so I wear them to keep clean
•Spare SD card
•Spare batteries
•First aid supplies
•Hand sanitizer
•Energy drink
•Petzl Myo headtorch
•Personal alarm

Most of this stuff never gets used, but none of it weighs much, so I just tend to carry it anyways

~RR

 

[cogito]

Clothes: casual, functional, certainly non-restrictive. You can't climb full stretch in jeans.

In the bag: Tripod, camera and wangle wrapped in a beanie, 50mm in the pouch that comes with Lenser H7s. H7 and spare batteries in top pocket of bag ready.

Beyond that there might be bits and pieces specific to certain sites, but for the most part any more is just dead weight.

 

[sYnc_below]

In the bag:

Canon EOS 7D and BG-E7 Grip
Canon EF 50mm F1.8
Canon FD 35mm F1.4
Sigma EF 10-20mm EX DC HSM
Canon EF 18-55mm IS
Canon EF 70-200mm IS ‘L’ Series F4.0
560 MkII Flash
Wireless Flash Trigger Wireless Shutter Release
CREE 10w torch with focus
Tripod

Always in the boot of the car in case I pass something whilst traveling:

40D body and BG-E2 Grip

Do you have a Support Vehicle following you round carrying all this stuff?

 

[shatners]

Do you have a Support Vehicle following you round carrying all this stuff?

Haha... nah it all fits nicely into a LowPro Slingshot 202

I picked a Sigma 30mm 1.4 lens up at the weekend too... absolutely astounding bit of glass... far better than the Canon eqivilent!

 

[UrbanX]

Can only assume to 200mm lens is for when you want to Urbex from home

 

[shatners]

It has two uses... I use the 70mm end quite a bit as the L series glass is pin sharp and the image stabiliser on the L's is awesome. The other use is standing in a public place using it at 200mm and continuing to photograph into sites after being asked to leave by secca for the sole purpose of getting on their moobsfor a bit lol

 

[Derelictspaces]

I can't help notice no one has yet to say they carry a mobile phone (preferably charged and with minutes on)

My kit...

Bmx (I don't drive, I prefer to ride. Plus easy to conceal or carry compare to a mountain bike let alone a car)
My mobile, doubles as my camera (HTC One S)
USB battery pack for my phone as a back up
Drinks, usually coca cola cherry
Plasters for those nasty cuts
Bike tools (nothing that's perceivable as usable for forcing every, just patches and a 17mm socket for the wheel bolts)
Money
Disposable face mask, bump cap and some safety glasses.
My dickies work trousers, German army boots and my work tee shirt, maybe a fleece if it's nippy.
Torch with spare batteries.
Snood or Snud whatever its called.
Biking gloves, they offer great protection and can be used for riding.
Depending if its needed, a high vis, although I tend to have one on me riding anyway.

 

[krela]

I have renamed this thread purely because 'Gearing up' probably isn't a wise topic subject at the moment, given it can also have criminal meanings.

 

[DreadHead]

Well I usually drive my motorbike there so I have my boots, protective trousers and bike jacket. And then in the backpack I have My Camera, tripod, batteries, Headtorch, handtorch, food, drink, a little medipack and most importantly; my tobacco And then my helmet strapped to the side. My backpack gets quite heavy

 

[The Archivist]

Essential exploring kit should be common sense: camera, torches, batteries, sturdy footwear and old, inconspicuous clothes. Anything beyond that is down to personal preference and practicality based on where you're going. I would, however, highly recommend a tripod if your camera has a mounting for one.

My own kit, carried in a black shoulder bag is as follows:

Camera and associated odds and ends (lenses, SD cards..)
Spare batteries
Pen and small notebook containing sketch map and/or directions prepared before leaving
Map
LED Lenser/Petzl head torch
2-3 small LED torches for light painting etc.
Small first aid kit w/anti-bacterial wipes
Lunch or snack and drink
Folding Tripod
Dust mask/respirator (Optional)

Also:
1 or 2 spotlight torches (carried on shoulder strap for underground work, optional as exceedingly heavy)
Hard hat (optional)
'Phone with GPS, internet and backup camera

As to clothing: Navy issue pullover, jeans, old shirt, donkey jacket, steel-toe boots.