It’s Friday 1 April 2016 and the midday deadline for April Fools’ jokes has once again expired. But did you manage to catch them out before they got you?
Despite trying to remain a truthful community, for one day a year people around the world gleefully come up with the biggest fibs they can possibly get away with. And let’s be honest, some of them are pretty good. So without further ado, let’s have a quick look at the best lies, manipulation and false information the outdoor industry came up with this year.
BMC
Of course, we couldn’t miss out on the chance to tell a massive porkie either. This year, we concocted the idea of bandaging up crags with acid paste, an exciting new procedure to restore classic limestone routes. Read the full story here.
WATCH: Is Scoop Wall really E2 or E3? The BMC grading squad swings into action on BMC TV
VIDEO
The National Trust
Possibly our favourite this year (apart from ours of course), the National Trust pulled out all the stops and created a video instead of an article. Here they demonstrate how they move the ridiculously heavy stones of the Avebury stone circle to adjust for British Summer Time. Hats off to you guys.
How many rangers does it take to put the clock forward at Avebury stone circle? Watch the video to find out why moving the stones for British Summer Time is extra-tiring work during a leap year.
Posted by The National Trust on Thursday, 31 March 2016
UKClimbing.com
This year, UKC went overboard and produced not one, nor two, but three April Fools’ articles. Check them out below.
Okay, I have to admit, the first one about Dave MacLeod authoring a climbing book for children got me at first. That is, until I read the preview about the chapter titled: “How to deal with the (breast) pump.” Read the whole shebang here:
The second obvious April Fools’ from UKC was a feature from chief editor Jack Geldard claiming: “Professional climbers actually have a really crap life”. Pull the other one, Jack!
Number three came in the form of an announcement of a new eatery being opened in Llanberis by none other than trad-wad James McHaffie, the new BMC youth and partnerships officer. Let's be honest, nothing can ever rival Pete's Eats so I knew this was a joke straight away.
Okay, this might be real, but it seems unlikely considering they published this on 1 April. So the final (I think) offering came when RockFax announced their startling move to expand their horizons overseas and produce a guidebook to Chamonix. In the text, they claim it’s “NOT AN APRIL FOOL!”, but come on now, we’re not that stupid (disclaimer, I probably am).
OutdoorsMagic
“Scientists believe pixel degradation could see vivid landscapes fade to a shadow of their former glory,” was the claim of new research in the emerging field of pixellar science, reported by OutdoorsMagic. Read on about the blurry bane of landscapes here:
UKHillwalking.com
As a climber, I try to avoid walking if possible. So I was delighted to read this article from UKH on how hillwalking is bad for you, which concludes with the line: “In summary: I would not bother.”
Shame it’s only an April Fools’ joke (this is also a joke).
Alpkit
Eau de down, was Alpkit’s big fib this year. It was reporting a new collection of insulated clothing with its innovative new product: Down Scent. Read on for why you need aromatic duck down filled with the scents of chalk and rock boots (actually, my jacket already smells like that).
Trail Magazine
The peaks of the UK were becoming branded, according to Trail Magazine, as each would become individually sponsored and open up these areas to advertisement. “Walkers need to get used to the idea that billboards on bothies is where the future’s headed,” was the claim. Meanwhile, the Three Peaks Challenge would become the McTriple, sponsored by McDonalds.
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