ALL FOOLS' DAY or APRIL FOOLS' DAY is an annual custom on April 1st consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. In French this tradition is called "poisson d'avril" (April's fish). The selection of the day may be tied to an era when the calendar was different and its date concided with what was considered the start of the new year. The origins of the tradition are best known in Europe, going back to the medieval era at least, where there was also a "Feast Of Fools", in which the high and low ranked among society would briefly exchange places. However, there is also some evidence that this may be a tradition that goes back much further. In Iran, the tradition called "Dorugh-e Sizdah" (Lie of Thirteen), existed as far back as 536 BC.
Historically there was a role for fools or jesters, as not just entertainers in the courts of the powerful, but as the favoured few who could, by using humour, criticize those holding power (jester's privilege). This traditional day of foolishness evolved into more general celebrtation of jokes, encompassing various forms of mockery and frivolous humour, such as the telling of absurdly false stories, poking fun at those with rank or temporarily upending social conventions. Jokesters often reveal (or gloat about) their actions by shouting "April Fools!" at the recipient. Modern comedians' also carry on the jesters' tradition of satire to this day, and by doing so, challenge the social order.
Speaking of challenges of dubious comedic value, this leads us to Geocaching, specifically Challenge caches.
Ever feel envious at seeing people log those challenges where they fill in their D/T grid for the 25th time, or complete their 366th straight day of "needs snowshoes" cache attributes? Rejoice ! Now is your chance to stop feeling utterly foolish, and amaze all your friends, by finding & logging this challenge !
Other similar challenges may have required diligence, but this one is extremely demanding. Due to the strenuous conditions imposed by this chellenge cache, it is best to sign the log sheet first, and then log this find online as testimony to your astonishing accomplishments.
The Challenge conditions you must meet are as follows:
- You must find at least one cache with a Difficulty rating of 1
- You must find at least one cache with a Terrain rating of 1
- You must find at least one cache of the Unknown / Mystery type
- You must find at least one cache that is Micro sized.
- You must find at least one cache that was hidden on April 1st of any year.
- You must find at least one cache within British Columbia.
In addition to the above, you must have found at least one geocache with each of the following geocache Attribute types:
- Challenge cache,
- Stealth Required,
- Takes Less Than An Hour,
- Park and Grab,
- Available 24/7,
- Public Transporation Nearby,
- Wheelchair Accessible,
- Parking Nearby,
- Bicycles Allowed,
- Dogs Allowed, Stroller Accessible,
- Recommended for Kids,
- Recommended for Tourists,
- Fuel Nearby,
- Trucks/RVs allowed,
- Available In Winter.
Reading all that, you will probably say "Surely you can't be serious about those conditions", but that is indeed the case. However, as an act of mercy, for the purpose of fulfilling the challenge requirements, you may include the finding and logging of this cache. All geocache finds, past or present, count towards your goal - and lucky for you that they do !
A Geochecker and a challenge checker have been provided, for those who wish to have their deeds mulled over by anonymous cybernetic intelligences that entertain themselves by watching Geocachers struggle.
( Thanks go out to Hügh for providing the Project GC checker. )
The cache is located, like most challenges, at the posted coordinates. It would be excessively cruel to expect you to hunt for this one as well as fulfill its ruinous requirements, wouldn't it?
The cache site is a platform with several benches, near bus stop 52732, route 129. Parking is available on nearby Dominion Street, or Manor Street, but obey all local parking regulations and parking is not allowed on Gilmore Diversion itself (that is not a joke).
The cache container is Micro in capacity, so please do not add any swag. Bring your own pen or pencil, and remember to sign the log sheet. Do not be too proud to read the Hint.
The incredible honour of being First-To-Find on this challenge goes to jimw67. The second to complete this formidable task was pilwi. Their user names shall live on through the ages.
(All artwork depicted in this geocache page is owned by whomever owns it, which is not me.)