13 is often considered an unlucky number. It is estimated that at least 10% of the U.S. population has an actual fear of the number 13 known as triskadekaphobia. It is unclear exactly why this is, but there are some popular beliefs.
- The Code of Hammurabi reportedly omitted a 13th law from its list of legal rules. (In reality, the code doesn't numerically list its laws and the omission was simply a clerical error made by one of the document’s earliest translators who failed to include a line of text.)
- Mathematically, 12 has often been considered a perfect number. There are 12 months in a year. The day is divided into two 12-hour half days per our standard clock. There were the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 dieties of Olympus, the 12 apostles of Jesus, the 12 successors of Muhammed, 12 years in the Chinese Buddhist cycle, and 12 signs of the Zodiac. Following this, 13 becomes a tainted and non-perfect number.
- The superstition exists that the 13th guest at a dinner causes the death of one of the dinner guests. For example, in Christian beliefs, Judas Iscariot was the 13th guest at the Last Supper resulting in the death of Jesus Christ. In Norse myth, the mischieveous and treacherous god Loki arrived as the 13th guest at the dinner of Valhalla.
Regardless of its roots, the fear of the number 13 does have an effect of Western Civilization. Did you know that more than 80% of all hi-rise buildings in the United States do not have a 13th floor? In addition, the vast majority of hotels, hospitals and airports avoid using the number 13 for rooms and gates as well.
So, what about you? Do you consider 13 an unlucky number? If so, you will probably not be a fan of this challenge.
THE CHALLENGE:
In order to log this challenge complete, you must deal with the number 13 four times. You need to find a minimum of 13x13 caches (that 169 caches) on the 13th day of any month. In addition 13 of these caches need to have the word "cemetery" in the title or description to show you are not superstitious.
- Caches can be found over multiple months.
- Caches can be found over multiple years.
- Previous finds do count.
- The cemetery cache must have the word "cemetery" in the title or in the description. Since this is a commonly misspelled word, "cemetary" will also be accepted. (Note: Remember, it is disrespectful to geocache in a cemetery after dark so please find your cemetery cache during daylight hours only.)
- If your statistics are not public, please document how you qualify for this cache. Also, please note the cemetery caches that qualify you for the challenge.
EXAMPLE:
ScaredyCatCacher has a public profile that shows a calendar by date found. She has found:
- 19 caches on January 13
- 17 caches on March 13
- 3 caches on April 13
- 11 caches on May 13
- 32 caches on June 13
- 15 caches on July 13
- 58 caches on August 13
- 8 caches on September 13
- 1 cache on October 13
- 14 caches on November 13
In her log, she lists that she has found a total of 178 caches on the 13 of the month. Also, on April 13, she found:
- GC1GDVF, "R.I.P.#1 (Rummell)"
- GC11P9MP - RIP #6 - Reynolds
- GC3GCMP - RIP#15 - Given
- GC3HFN8 - RIP 15 - Woodall
On November 13, she found:
- GC555R1, Greenwood Cemetery 01
- GC555V4, Greenwood Cemetery 02
- GC555X7, Greenwood Cemetery 04
- GC55600, Greenwood Cemetery 05
- GC55621, Greenwood Cemetery 06
- GC5562P, Greenwood Cemetery 07
- GC5563Y, Greenwood Cemetery 08
- GC5564H, Greenwood Cemetery 09
- GC5565R, Greenwood Cemetery 11
D/T Rating:
The actual D/T for the find is a 1/1.5. The D/T listed is due to the restricted days you have to complete the challenge, the number of caches you need to get on those days, and the planning that may be involved to get these caches including 13 cemetery caches. The geocaching online D/T rating tool was used to determine the D/T for this challenge.