Delving into the Forbidden World of Rooftopping in New York with Rascalov
This article plunges you into the heart of the clandestine world of rooftopping in New York, alongside urban exploration figures like Rascalov and Vitalie. Discover the behind-the-scenes of this illegal practice, the motivations of these adventurers, the risks involved, and the evolution of the discipline in the face of increasingly severe legislation.
The Call of the Heights in Times Square ▶ 0:00
The adventure begins in Times Square, an iconic location where urban effervescence is at its peak. The goal is to explore the city's heights in the company of Rascalov, a legendary figure in rooftopping. It is crucial to understand that in the United States, illegally being on rooftops can lead to much more serious consequences than in Europe.
The team sets out to find access to one of Times Square's most iconic buildings, with the intention of climbing the city's highest peaks. The exploration begins with the ascent of a building offering a breathtaking view of Times Square.
Vitalie, another seasoned explorer, shares his passion for rooftopping. He explains how he started exploring roofs 17 years ago, inspired by the desire to impress a photographer.
The exploration continues with the ascent of an antenna, a particularly daring challenge. The team takes photos of Vitalie facing the void, capturing breathtaking images.
The Impact of the "Shanghai Tower" Video and the Harsh Reality of New York ▶ 3:27
The conversation turns to the impact of the "Shanghai Tower" video, a viral video from 2014 that marked a turning point in the world of rooftopping. This video, which has accumulated nearly 100 million views, has inspired many urban explorers. Behind this video are Vitalie and his then-sidekick, Vadim, better known as Rascalov. Rascalov explains that the video's success is due to the presence of clouds, creating a spectacular and dizzying landscape.
For the team, this video was a catalyst, sparking a passion for urban exploration. However, it is important to note that New York presents unique challenges due to the severity of its laws. Trespassing is a serious offense that can lead to arrest and prosecution.
Vitalie explains the risks involved in being arrested in New York. He tells the story of Drift, an iconic rooftopper known for his "Where my van G" photo series. Drift was arrested after someone recognized him in a photo where he was climbing the Empire State Building. In the United States, sentences are cumulative, meaning that a person can be sentenced to decades in prison for simply exploring a roof and taking photos.
Chinatown and Exploration Methods: Ethics and Consequences ▶ 8:23
After this first exploration, Vitalie arranges to meet the team the next morning in Chinatown.
Heading towards the next spot, the team arrives on a roof offering a breathtaking view of One World Trade Center. The team is looking for a higher vantage point, but access is locked and monitored by cameras. Eventually, they find an interesting angle for taking photos, taking into account the presence of the cameras.
The team takes photos of Vitalie standing on the corner of a ledge, creating dizzying images. They have to hurry because City Hall and the Supreme Court are nearby. They use discreet exploration methods, such as entering through an open window, to avoid attracting attention.
A new generation of explorers is seizing the discipline, but their methods are raising concerns. For many of them, the main goal is to access the highest peaks by any means possible, take a selfie, and leave. These methods include using bolt cutters, blowing up doors, and forcing locks. This trend encourages others to replicate these methods, leading to tighter security and legislation.
The culmination of this new wave of exploration was a tragic event involving three teenagers aged 14 to 16. While climbing an iconic New York bridge, one of the youths fell 15 meters into a shaft. Instead of assisting their seriously injured friend, the other two teenagers filmed his cries of agony and left the scene.
The team emphasizes the importance of ethics in urban exploration. It is essential to respect the places, not to steal anything, not to damage anything, to use invisible accesses, not to disturb anyone, and to leave no trace, except for one's footsteps and possibly a photographic memory.
The team expresses its respect for those who continue this passion despite the risks and hopes that this report will raise public awareness of the evolution of freedoms in Europe. Everyone they met envies their freedom. Urban exploration practiced with respect is not a crime.
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