Hello. I'm a new member here.
And I have quite few questions to ask. For the most part I started a semi-competant "op" in my small town.
The issue is I combined it with the experiences of my background (geocaching, lockpicking/lock manipulation, night exploration/late night driving, etc) and I just arrived back home to write about my experiences.
So for the most part I went out to look for a nearby cache and found it after a few minutes. I was dressed in my streetwear
( thin grey sweater, blue jeans, mexican style leather boots, black cap and a blue corded pack that I carry around my normal and "night" EDC). It was a dark parking lot, since the cache was a LPC. Found the Cache and did what is normal with those things
Soon after a biker from a casino across the street of my location, literally drove over to my side of the area and parked a few feet from me. I did look a bit sketchy do to the time and area. So I couldn't return the cache without casuing more suspicion.
I decided to wander off in the opposite direction of the cache sight and had to detour a plaza in a local market only to round back to my original spot, this took around 10 or 15 minutes before I hear the biker start up his bike and drive towards the area I just walked around for the last couple minutes.
Maybe he was looking for me or was curious about me. Who knows. But I had to hide in the shadow of a large container that you see in ship yards and had to watch him drive around a bend back onto the highway heading into town.
From there, I made my way back to the original cache spot, returned the item and made my way back to my vehicle. Where the second part of this story begins.
I drove to a nearby park that is barren during the night. I recon the spot a bit before I head in and the main objective here was to pick a lock that I could find and once that was done returned it to normal operations and head home to reassess.
Found a master lock #1 and I theorized it was a 4 pin lock. So once I got my tensioner and short hook to start SPP. I had some resistance with the lock probably being old and/or rusty from the inside.
The park was well lit but again no soul in sight. So my paranoia that I was being watched or recorded and the fact that the damn lock would not open up I decided to call it a night until I got a better plan instead of this half cooked mess.
The bottom line is my questions for doing a proper night op.
1. Should I wear a mask or some form of identity obscuring to keep my face from cameras or being seen???
2. Clothing and shoes, what should I look for to better make me look inconspicuous but also normal to the average person I come across??
3. My pack is bright colored, should I get a dark colored one, is there some tape or paint or fabric to camouflage the color to a dark or mute tone. ( I know that clear skate tape can reflect light off certain camera)
4. What gear should I have to better succeed in my ventures.
5. Should I even carry lockpicking tools, for anyone that has picks or use bypassing items (covert companion, bump keys shim tools, etc) what do you recommend.
I can't think of what else at the time to ask, but if I have anymore questions to tell I'll be back.
My experience in this venture shows that I had a limited success rate being the first time and not well-prepped.
Really any advice, tips, stories or so on would be appreciated.
Wish to make more ops later in the near future and hope to record them as a video lessons to process good and bad habits.
I've watched stealth technique on YouTube a while back and have just rewatched some of his videos. Where I came across the night op site and after seeing his videos and using some research I tried some of his techniques and hope to study more on the subject.
New member. Many questions.
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Brassbody12
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- Contact:
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Psychlonic
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Re: New member. Many questions.
I'm here to help.
1. Absolutely do not ever wear a mask. Masks not only obstruct your breathing but rouse suspicion amongst the civilians.
2. Hollister brand is a timeless classic for blending in with a younger crowd, but just keep it casual. Subdued tones with a few bright highlights to break it up, you don't want to look like a goth in the corner being too dark!
3. I was actually thinking reflective tape might be a great option for you, it's extremely high vis so while you're walking alongside the road at night, traffic can see you and won't accidentally hit you.
4. It's amazing what they can mold out of silicone these days.
5. Best lockpicking tool is at the end of your leg. Just boot those bitches open don't take shit from some inanimate object ass lock.
1. Absolutely do not ever wear a mask. Masks not only obstruct your breathing but rouse suspicion amongst the civilians.
2. Hollister brand is a timeless classic for blending in with a younger crowd, but just keep it casual. Subdued tones with a few bright highlights to break it up, you don't want to look like a goth in the corner being too dark!
3. I was actually thinking reflective tape might be a great option for you, it's extremely high vis so while you're walking alongside the road at night, traffic can see you and won't accidentally hit you.
4. It's amazing what they can mold out of silicone these days.
5. Best lockpicking tool is at the end of your leg. Just boot those bitches open don't take shit from some inanimate object ass lock.
Knowledge alone is not power, it is the potential for power. That potential can only be unlocked through applying that knowledge and realizing the skill.
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Brassbody12
- Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sun Sep 17, 2023 9:27 am
- Contact:
Re: New member. Many questions.
Sounds good. But is there a way to do the ops without leaving traces or causing issues for the people whose property I'm scouting.
I want to work on my stealth just as recommended by stealth technique and shadow work.
I want to use these experiences and skills to try some ops in mexico this upcoming February. I know many things I can do here are not gonna fly in mexico. But there are some things that can be done under the radar and make the experience that much sweeter.
If anybody else has stories or info. They are welcomed.
Thanks to psychlonic for his info on how to make the 2nd ops more professional.
I want to work on my stealth just as recommended by stealth technique and shadow work.
I want to use these experiences and skills to try some ops in mexico this upcoming February. I know many things I can do here are not gonna fly in mexico. But there are some things that can be done under the radar and make the experience that much sweeter.
If anybody else has stories or info. They are welcomed.
Thanks to psychlonic for his info on how to make the 2nd ops more professional.
Re: New member. Many questions.
Here's the thing.
Night ops is very much a habit informed by a specific type of sneaking using a very stereotypical approach to being hidden. IE remain in the dark, walk around. Less risky impression of doing the infiltration and exfiltration without actually doing anything that would really upset you if someone did it in your yard. That's how I always approached it. Passing through and respecting the space. Makes you more cautious too.
After all most actual break ins and crimes of that sort happen in the mid afternoon.
You want something step by step try this out.
[1] Move
You will get a basic, light and structured jogging habit. Not running or sprinting, but just plain clothes, comfy hoodie etc and go for a 4am or an 8:30pm jog. This is the foundation of your most basic ability. The ability to get away, and the practice of getting used to moving in the night spaces. This will fitten you up, and familiarise you with the area. This familiarity will reveal places the further you can move and the better your fitness the more you can find. As you should as you are jogging at least 3 times a week right?
[2] Map
You will take the days that you are a little too sore to jog and spend a good amount of time scrolling through street maps and picking interesting places in areas you are not familiar with. The further away from your home the better. This is important as most people who get busted doing things are locals doing local things wrong. So you will combine this map awareness with your growing basic fitness.
[3] Mode
Sneakers.
A camera that you can use.
A set of NORMAL clothes that you wont miss if they get wrecked. I like the grey hoodie/loose cargos combo. Track pants and an anorak if it's bitter out.
A tube scarf or a very decent thin balaclava so Ring and Nest cams don't ruin you.
A small flashlight with a reliable rechargeable battery.
A pair of dextrous and non permeable gloves.
Don't take weapons. Don't take tools. Don't take anything that looks bad in an arrest.(A very unlikely arrest mind you) Not until you are so used to going out that the legal risk is mitigated by experience. Knives and lockpicks are not as useful as a multitool and good visual recon.
[4] Motivation
Decide on what you want to do with your night. Access something? See something? Follow some project, Do you want to get good at obstacle crossing, do you want to become expert at not being detected somewhere that has guaranteed eyes on the site? Not everyone ops for the same reason. I like getting into places with active people but not with active recording stations. Rarer and rarer nowadays. This mostly means rooftops and a few overnight camps in near rural areas as I observe and remain hidden in a bedded down tarp. Sort of how homeless do it but better. That's me.
You need to decide on what aspect attracts you to the need to even bother sneaking in the first place. For me it's about getting access to places that used to be free access which have been fenced off by companies and new infrastructure builds. I disagree with them building over my nature with thier useless urban sprawl. So I get in. What about you?
Before you go consider ritualising your habit.
> Shower before you go.
> Clean clothes only. Just because you can't smell you doesn't mean someone else can't. Less evidence too.?
> Tell someone where you are going. If you fall into an open elevator shaft because some idiot put planking over an open abyss and called it fine you'll wish you had. especially in abandoned areas. I once ran from security straight into an open concrete pit full of rebar. Was able to skid stop myself but still went in. Lucky I landed mostly away from the unsticking bars because that could have been my eye or neck.
> Don't op in the rain if you expect to do a lot of climbing.
> Disguise BEFORE you arrive and always approach from a direction that isn't leading home.
> Don't over eat or over hydrate before you go. Gummy bears in a small pack are useful for keeping up energy and crushing nerves. Find something like that you can bring. Replace packaging with something quiet.
> Always have two ways out. Don't ever go into something if you don't know the way out. This is 101. This is why the Map habit rules and night jogging judges your outcomes.
> Go sterile. Don't take smart watches. Don't take phones. Don't take anything with an RFID or a radio in it. Nothing with bluetooth. Just don't.
> Powerful lasers destroy powerful cameras but you need to do it in the day to confirm that it works. Wait until they replace it to see if it works. This will confirm for you if yours is functional enough to use. Some are shielded with modern prism materials now.
> Lockpicking wastes time. Learn to do bypass if you have to do that sort of thing. Most of the time you don't.
> Have an excuse ready if you are caught. Bring a dog leash and claim to be looking for your dog. Make sure the leash is used and shows signs of actually having some wear and tear. This is called a Credibility Prop and you will be glad to have one if you ever get surprised. It is your best legal and social defence.
> If you feel scared, then feel it. But don't pull back. It's normal. It's a process. It's your body tuning itself to adverse conditions. You need to get used to hearing your heart in your ears every time something creaks. This is a positive thing. Fear is good. Phobia without control is not. Control it. Practice it.
> Read a book. Then read another.
Night ops is very much a habit informed by a specific type of sneaking using a very stereotypical approach to being hidden. IE remain in the dark, walk around. Less risky impression of doing the infiltration and exfiltration without actually doing anything that would really upset you if someone did it in your yard. That's how I always approached it. Passing through and respecting the space. Makes you more cautious too.
After all most actual break ins and crimes of that sort happen in the mid afternoon.
You want something step by step try this out.
[1] Move
You will get a basic, light and structured jogging habit. Not running or sprinting, but just plain clothes, comfy hoodie etc and go for a 4am or an 8:30pm jog. This is the foundation of your most basic ability. The ability to get away, and the practice of getting used to moving in the night spaces. This will fitten you up, and familiarise you with the area. This familiarity will reveal places the further you can move and the better your fitness the more you can find. As you should as you are jogging at least 3 times a week right?
[2] Map
You will take the days that you are a little too sore to jog and spend a good amount of time scrolling through street maps and picking interesting places in areas you are not familiar with. The further away from your home the better. This is important as most people who get busted doing things are locals doing local things wrong. So you will combine this map awareness with your growing basic fitness.
[3] Mode
Sneakers.
A camera that you can use.
A set of NORMAL clothes that you wont miss if they get wrecked. I like the grey hoodie/loose cargos combo. Track pants and an anorak if it's bitter out.
A tube scarf or a very decent thin balaclava so Ring and Nest cams don't ruin you.
A small flashlight with a reliable rechargeable battery.
A pair of dextrous and non permeable gloves.
Don't take weapons. Don't take tools. Don't take anything that looks bad in an arrest.(A very unlikely arrest mind you) Not until you are so used to going out that the legal risk is mitigated by experience. Knives and lockpicks are not as useful as a multitool and good visual recon.
[4] Motivation
Decide on what you want to do with your night. Access something? See something? Follow some project, Do you want to get good at obstacle crossing, do you want to become expert at not being detected somewhere that has guaranteed eyes on the site? Not everyone ops for the same reason. I like getting into places with active people but not with active recording stations. Rarer and rarer nowadays. This mostly means rooftops and a few overnight camps in near rural areas as I observe and remain hidden in a bedded down tarp. Sort of how homeless do it but better. That's me.
You need to decide on what aspect attracts you to the need to even bother sneaking in the first place. For me it's about getting access to places that used to be free access which have been fenced off by companies and new infrastructure builds. I disagree with them building over my nature with thier useless urban sprawl. So I get in. What about you?
Before you go consider ritualising your habit.
> Shower before you go.
> Clean clothes only. Just because you can't smell you doesn't mean someone else can't. Less evidence too.?
> Tell someone where you are going. If you fall into an open elevator shaft because some idiot put planking over an open abyss and called it fine you'll wish you had. especially in abandoned areas. I once ran from security straight into an open concrete pit full of rebar. Was able to skid stop myself but still went in. Lucky I landed mostly away from the unsticking bars because that could have been my eye or neck.
> Don't op in the rain if you expect to do a lot of climbing.
> Disguise BEFORE you arrive and always approach from a direction that isn't leading home.
> Don't over eat or over hydrate before you go. Gummy bears in a small pack are useful for keeping up energy and crushing nerves. Find something like that you can bring. Replace packaging with something quiet.
> Always have two ways out. Don't ever go into something if you don't know the way out. This is 101. This is why the Map habit rules and night jogging judges your outcomes.
> Go sterile. Don't take smart watches. Don't take phones. Don't take anything with an RFID or a radio in it. Nothing with bluetooth. Just don't.
> Powerful lasers destroy powerful cameras but you need to do it in the day to confirm that it works. Wait until they replace it to see if it works. This will confirm for you if yours is functional enough to use. Some are shielded with modern prism materials now.
> Lockpicking wastes time. Learn to do bypass if you have to do that sort of thing. Most of the time you don't.
> Have an excuse ready if you are caught. Bring a dog leash and claim to be looking for your dog. Make sure the leash is used and shows signs of actually having some wear and tear. This is called a Credibility Prop and you will be glad to have one if you ever get surprised. It is your best legal and social defence.
> If you feel scared, then feel it. But don't pull back. It's normal. It's a process. It's your body tuning itself to adverse conditions. You need to get used to hearing your heart in your ears every time something creaks. This is a positive thing. Fear is good. Phobia without control is not. Control it. Practice it.
> Read a book. Then read another.