scouting in winter

As you have probably noticed, I do not explore as much in the winter. This is all because in Saskatchewan we have pretty intense winters. Lots of snow and very cold weather. If I had a better vehicle that was higher off the ground I would probably explore more. None the less, winter is a great time to scout out locations for the summer. It is much easier to tell what is/is not abandoned in the winter. Here are my top tips for: scouting in the winter

1 - Look for footprints in the snow. If there are no footprints at all then it could be abandoned, if there are footprints it should be easy to tell how recent they are.

2. Look at the windows. If the windows are smashed or open in the middle of winter its a good sign of abandonment. As well if the doors are smashed or open, this is another good sign of abandonment.

3. Check for vehicle Tracks. Look for tracks in the snow and trace them. Where did they go? Are there footsteps as well? Did it park? Did people get out of the car? Did they drive in just to turn around?

4. Look at the chimney & check the meter outside. If there is smoke and the meter is running the building is being heated.

learn from experience

here are some things that I have learned from the last trip:

• there is not always a way into a building (even if you climb 3 stories to find an entrance)
  

• do not leave "hot toes" or heat packs in your boots overnight, they become crusty & hard (the ones with adhesive stick to your boots)

• in small towns, everything is closed on a sunday

• when you least expect it you can find a washroom and food (just look for the bar)
  

• not all small town hotels are bad

• morning smorgs @ small town restaurants can be very nasty

• don't drink the water - although it is not all bad
  

• some pay phones in Saskatchewan still cost 25cents but only ones in ghost town

• there is less snow in the west

• water pressure is depending on location

• you can find porn in the weirdest places

• know where your cell phone is at all times (ie// make sure your case is in one piece)

• $90 pants do not guarantee quality (the zipper broke on mine, only a month old!)
  

• always pack ear plugs & mp3 player in case one of your friends snores.... loudly.... all night

• ski pants limit what you can do

• always check the doors before attempting to get in other ways – they could be open

trip clip

our trip was very successful, we reached multiple ghost towns, a few large locations and of course very scenic sites. Some of these sites include the sand hills, cypress hills & the grasslands. Here are some of my favorite photographs from the trip.

im back

GOOD NEWS!
I am back from my trip in one piece. The trip was a success, good weather & lack of snow. We hit a lot of locations & had a very scenic route. Pictures & details to follow.

research

I get alot of people asking me constantly how I find locations. It is under most peoples belief that there are no more than abandoned ghost towns and farms in Saskatchewan. Newsflash, there is more than that in Saskatchewan it just takes some effort. Alot of effort actually, hours and hours, but the payoff is usually worth it. So how do I find all the locations?

Books & Lots of them. Books on travelling. Books on the province. Books on history of the province. Books on towns around the province. Books on churches around the province. Etc.

Maps. All kinds of maps. Maps on paper, new and old and maps on the internet.

The internet. Sites on UE. Sites about the province. Articles on the province. The local news. Sites from local photographers around the province. Etc.

Magazine & news articles. All historical & loaded with information.

Encyclopedias. Self explanatory?

Word of mouth. Stories. Rumours. Speaking with older people & especially those who use to work for CP or CN.

..... and last but not least. Driving. Senseless driving for hours on back roads. Hours well spent to find some very cool locations.

helpful winter tips

some very helpful travel tips for the winter:

1. Drink lots of water no matter how cold it is. You can still get dehydrated in the winter.

2. Do not eat snow (even the white snow). These days you never know what is and is not safe.

3. Wear gloves when handling metal objects. This includes when holding a metal flashlight.

note: On our last trip one of the guys I explore with got back into the vehicle took off his gloves and touched the frozen mag light. Take his advice: don't touch frozen metal objects with warm hands.

4. Always keep warm: layers, instant heat packs, tall warm boots, ski pants, winter coat, head warmers & warm gloves

5. Bring snacks in the vehicle just in case it breaks down, you get stuck or you are no where near a town to find food

do all this and you will stay warm and tough, just like me...

Crooked Trees

Everyone is under the assumption that Saskatchewan is all flat prairie with a lot of grain elevators and ghost towns. Well if you have not all ready heard there are lots of hills around this province that hide some spectacular sites. Some of these sites include the Crooked Trees.

A group of Aspen Trees growing crooked and twisted at the edge of a field.

Shrouded in mystery these trees are an attraction for all to see. The origins of the trees are unknown. Even more interesting is that the grove of aspen beside them are growing perfectly normal. Some say the trees became this way because of a flying saucer, alien urine, lightening strike, radiation in the soil, etc. There is no real answer to how the trees became this way.

A group called the friends of the crooked bush have posted a sign on the spot about them, as well there is a boardwalk through them and a small picnic area.

If you get a chance you should head to the Thickwood Hills to check them out.

my fav UE links

Here are some links to some of my favorite urban exploring sites from around the world:

Urban Exploration Resource - a gathering place for all (although if you explore as much as i do, you are rarely seen online)

SaskUrbex - my fellow exploring partner

Winnipeg UE - Curious George from Winnipeg

Drains of my city - Reduxzero & Nancy Drew from Alberta

Opacity - UE photography from the states

Infiltration - home to Ninjalicious(RIP)

Urban Eden - Urban Exploration photography portrayed artistically