Secrets of the City

Despite what some contrarian types might say, the dangers are different, but equivalent at worst — or maybe things are so bad that you have to worry about cave-in.

Dangers aside, it’s trespassing, and dangerously close to a lot of those movie-plot terrorist threats.

On a somewhat related note, a friend has been teaching me to ice climb, which involves exploring at least the entrance to some of those drainage systems where the ice forms. I think it’s more of borderline legal standing, but can be done legally (with a permit) in several parks in St. Paul and around the rest of the state.

Beyond the obvious post-9/11 security concerns, there is always the danger of unintentional damage that can be done, too. Some of these sewage systems are 100+ years old, and the concrete and metallic fixtures are in a fragile state.

Oh, and let’s not forget the liability issues. Even if one were to indemnify a city from responsibility, a herd of lawyers would nonetheless descend upon city hall for “allowing” such a reckless disregard for safety.

The reason why we have so many stupid laws is because of stupid people.

Maybe sewer exploration is not such a bad thing to have going on. Perhaps we can get a few of them to pick up the place a bit while they’re down there. Can’t be all bad.

I bet it’s warm down there….

It’s not like he was jumping off a tall building.

Surely urban spelunking would be more dangerous because you’re running the risk of collapsing buildings.

Who’re let’s do buisness-they actually a sponsor or just some firm leaving ads?

We could organize a MN sewer exploration expedition! Who’s with me?

Didn’t some of Vincent’s relatives move here?

Little Urban Daredevils have been wanted to open up Stone Arch Bridge to rock climbing, too. These people aren’t “hobbiests” One day, time, energy and money is going to be expended and Jason DeRusha will be called in as people labor into the night to save one of their sorry asses.

They’ve been watching the TV show on, I think, the Travel Channel about underground cities.

Surely urban spelunking would be more dangerous because you’re running the risk of collapsing buildings.

If you’re worried about that, you had better stay off the streets too.

@Rat: I seem to recall a idea put forth several years ago to create a white-water kayaking chute on the north side of the Mississippi near St. Anthony Main, using an existing but now-unused old milling waterway.

Maybe the rat would feel better if we outlawed all outdoor physical activities.

No hiking or camping on the Gunflint Trail or any other back country places, no mountain climbing, no biking, no canoeing or whitewater kayaking or rafting. Only activities that can be done within the safe confines of the nearest LA or Lifetime gym will be allowed.

Noodleman: I have some kayaking friends that were very excited when the proposal for a whitewater run were proposed at St. Anthony. I don’t know what became of the proposal though.

lol I don’t think there is a single explorer who calls him/herself a “mouser” … those wacky Fox News folks!

mouser was an explorer from out-state who stared “mouser week”, and annual quasi-international gathering of urban explorers in minneapolis and st. paul.

this year would be the 10th mouser week.

Yeah I’m a little confused about Rat’s issue with the Stone Arch Bridge rock climbing. It’s obviously a terrible idea, and as a climber I’m pretty shocked that anyone in that community would suggest such a thing. But if they did, the reason it’s a bad idea isn’t safety. People climb outdoors in a dozen other places around the state without incident summer after summer, no DeRusha necessary.

We could organize a Stone Arch Bridge rock climbing expedition! Whos with me?

Don’t you end up leaving all those little metal rings embedded in the bridge?

i dunno, ive never been rock climbing or sewage tunneling.

Not the kind of rock climbing that they’re talking about, rat.

And what would that have to do with DeRusha?

What does anything have to do with DeRusha? No offence

Jason would have to show up with a crew when they were dragging the river for their body.

There ARE parts of the bridge and bluffs there that aren’t over water, you know.

And, of course, if it were opened as an “official” climbing spot, they could require safety equipment such as belaying devices.

Quite so.

Rat, the little metal rings are actually already in the Stone Arch as a route was bolted on the bridge around twenty years ago. In fact, several bridges around town are bolted and the routes are all highly illegal.

Jeffk, the first rule of ice club is don’t talk about ice club. We have a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy about a lot of the ice climbs in the city. Let’s just say no one climbs anywhere in the city where it might now be allowed and if you see someone doing it just pretend you didn’t.

Carry on.

When Lifetime puts up some ice climbs maybe I’ll go there.

http://www.actionsquad.org/underground.html

The buildings would be a lot more likely to collapse if you tunnel under them, is what I’m saying.

Personally, I prefer outdoor climbing without ice. It’s not as cold.

I still have a pair of ice axes, though, just in case.

Ice axes are a handy murder weapo- oh no, i’ve said too much. Kill them…

Mum’s the word, llorT.