UCSD Tunnels
The one thing that freshman hear when they come to UCSD is the existence of an elaborate system of tunnels that run throughout the university linking most of the buildings. Luckily for you new freshmen this is true. Since this school was built in the 60s, it was under constant attack by the resident hippies. To provide the staff members with an escape route incase things got out of hand, these tunnels were constructed linking most buildings to an escape route. I managed to find a map detailing the routes and possible entry and exit points. This map is just a rough guide but has been tested and is considered accurate.
Most Convenient Entrance
The best possible entrance is by far the manhole on the little hill, facing Main Gym in Revelle. On the map it is the little blue dot right next to the Student Center.
DISCLAIMER: I do not advocate the doing of anything listed or stated on this blog. I myself have never entered the tunnels and do not encourage anyone else to do so either. This site is meant to be a source of information.
posted by InvestRite at 4:35 PM
5 Comments:
A wise man once said, "Tunnels are the source of life, they're who we are". The tunnels under UCSD are an escape from the hubub of everyday life. I'm not gonna lie, I've boned countless chicks down in the tunnels and the ambient heat of the elaborate pipes coupled with the musty smell of asbestos and dust creates a heavenly aura unmatched by anything I've experienced to date.
The entrance in front of Main Gym is NOT sealed. It is just very heavy and in order to open it you gotta use a wedge like a branch or something to gain leverage. You probably need 2 people, 1 to lift and the other to control the wedge. Then you slide the cover in the direction of the gym (west) - this is to manipulate it in such a manner so that the chain doesn't stop you from getting in. Have fun everyone and don't let a little work stop you from gettin in!
Okay, the assertion that the tunnels served a security or anti-riot purpose is admittedly ancient (I started at UCSD in 1984). The truth, while far less alluring, at least gives some indication of the dangers involved before one descends. The tunnels were built for running utilities around the campus as it existed when built, and always has been used in that capacity. There are high pressure steam and water pipes, electricity, network, and telecom cables, and alarms all over the place. Unless they have changed a lot since I was student (doubtful), keeping those things in mind, the tunnels are perfectly safe, if increasingly hard to enter. I went about dozen times or more during my student days.
Okay, the assertion that the tunnels served a security or anti-riot purpose is admittedly ancient (I started at UCSD in 1984). The truth, while far less alluring, at least gives some indication of the dangers involved before one descends. The tunnels were built for running utilities around the campus as it existed when built, and always has been used in that capacity. There are high pressure steam and water pipes, electricity, network, and telecom cables, and alarms all over the place. Unless they have changed a lot since I was student (doubtful), keeping those things in mind, the tunnels are perfectly safe, if increasingly hard to enter. I went about dozen times or more during my student days.
A group of us went looking for these tunnels earlier this year this year (2010) and were lucky to bump into a facilities manager and talk him into giving aus a tour. Indeed, we did discover while inside that the manhole at the hump in front of the gym is the best place to get in. It has a heavy chain attached and many padlocks, but the rung on the ladder that it is supposed to be attached to is cut. Just be careful in there as there are electrical conduits and pipes carrying hot water. There is also graffiti from decades past. We took an extensive collection of photos which can be found here: http://www.meetup.com/san-diego-urban-exploration-group/photos/1107567/
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