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A
Guide To The Laying Of Trails and Hash Etiquette
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REPRINTED
FROM CAPITAL HASH '85 YEARBOOK
(with
very minor editorial changes)
Hash Code
 Printable
version
In
keeping with the original intentions of the Hash, there should
be no rules as such. The following,
however, is a guide or code which accommodates an accent on
healthy exercise - whilst discouraging any sense of "athleticism
or competitiveness". Each Hash has its own trail
laying conventions. Ours are evolving and the following
is a result of experience and advice of members originally from
many other Hashes, first compiled for us by "SHAGGAS" Battaglni.
Beginning
at the beginning there, are one or two little "nicities" which
must be observed. When bringing a guest you should ensure that
he/she is introduced to the committee and particularly the Grand
Master/Mistress BEFORE the run commences. Thereafter it
is your responsibility to ensure that the guest/newcomer completes
the run without mishap.
When taking
on the responsibility of being a "hare" - and make no mistake
it is a responsibility - you should recce your proposed trail
at least twice and be certain of every detail before the date
of the run. One of these recces should be at about the time
of day during which the actual run will take place. The length
of trail will vary considerably (generally between 6 and 10
kms) depending largely on the type of terrain over which the
trail is laid. As a fairly rough guide, if it takes two hours
to walk the final trail, than it should be an hour run for the
average hasher. An ideal trail keeps everybody together for
most of the run and the whole pack should be back to the beer
within no more than fifteen minutes of one another, with your
slower runners being back in not much longer than one hour from
the starting time. To overcome unforeseen difficulties and to
ensure a run takes place, it is wise to enlist the aid of a
co-hare.
Now
to the actual laying of the trail. The following -points should
be adhered to whenever possible:
-
The trail can be marked with a number of
different materials, chalk, four, lime, finely shredded
paper and off-cuts of gyprock. (The last is a good marker
on pavement.) The flour and lime trail markers are usually
a BLOB while the chalk and gyprock marks are usually arrows.
Arrows show the direction, blobs do not. The trail should
be clearly marked at all points and should be uncomplicated
for about the first kilometre at which point you should
lay your first check. This check should be a good one, designed
to hold the pack for as long as possible in order that late
comers can catch up. In addition to the first check an initial
loop can help in this regard. At the check it is optional
as to whether you write the word "check" in bold letters,
inscribe a large circle, or a combination of both when using
chalk. When using flour enscribe a circle.
-
Remember your checks are designed to hold
up the pack until all members of the run have reached that
point before starting off on the next leg. In order to achieve
this you may lay false trails from each checkpoint and an
indication of possible trails can be shown if you wish.
It is important to remember, however, that any trail, correct
or false, should start within 100 metres in open country
or on roads, 70 metres in semi-scrub, and 30 metres in thick
scrub. Four arrows and/or blobs of flour indicate that the
particular trail is most definitely "ON". A false trail
from a check can be marked across the trail although this
is optional. The main thing to remember is that no false
trail should have more that THREE trail markers, as four
markers denotes "ON ON".
-
A good run should have at least six checks.
If these checks are laid within the above code, then there
should be no need to write "ON ON" although it is a good
idea if only to jog the minds of the hounds that they should
be calling this once they have found the correct trail.
If another Hash has run in the same area recently it is
advisable to indicate CH beside the occasional arrow or
use a different colour marking to that used by the other
Hash.
-
When laying the trail each marker should
not be more than 25 metres from the last and preferably
closer in rough or scrub country. This should be adhered
to as closely as possible in order that the hounds can be
fairly certain when they have run out of trail. It is quite
legitimate to make a sudden left or right turn from a comparatively
straight trail without indicating such and the hounds should
realise they have over-run the trail when the last mark
was some 35 metres or more back. Remember arrows show direction
of trails, blobs do not, only that the trail is "ON". The
only time that it is essential to write "false trail or
indicate the same by ß across the trail, is when you are
worried that continuing in that direction may take the hounds
onto another leg of your trail thus cutting out some of
the run.
-
If the last check has turned the pack onto
a long, narrow path over which it is difficult to pass,
or a steep, shiggy climb then your next check at the end
of this section should be an especially good one designed
to hold up the front runners until those who were doing
the greatest amount of checking, and who missed the correct
trail, have time to catch up again. Remember - at least
six good checks which bring the whole pack back together
during the run.
-
Each trail should, subject to weather and
time of year, include a little of everything - a little
shiggy, open country, a little bush, and level paths. It
should also include a hill, but it should not include every
hill within a six kilometre radius. One good hill is quite
sufficient. Any fool can knacker the hounds by taking them
up every hill in sight, but it takes good recceing to include
one good hill only: we are not a mountain climbing club.
any more than we are a running club. Main roads should be
avoided at all times and no checks should laid on or even
close to a busy intersection. Quite apart from the obvious
dangers of having the pack milling about the middle of a
road the re is the problem of hearing the pack calling over
the traffic noise.
-
The last check on the run again should be
a particularly good one bringing the pack together for ideally
a good flat or down hill run-in over a distance of about
a kilometre thus giving everybody a chance to stretch their
legs. You may, if you wish, on the last sector of the run
indicate "ON HOME" which means that each hound is now free
to make his/her own way over which ever route is felt to
be quickest to the beer, but for the benefit of those who
are 'not familiar with the particular area you must maintain
a correct trail to the ON ON site.
-
Winter runs require special attention and
care:
- the trail must be clear an conspicuous
- recce
and/or set your run at 6:00pm
- minimal,
if any rocky or precipitous terrain
- run
length shorter than summer (35-50 min)
-
good hot hashmash
- a
site where we can have a good fire to keep warm.
After
the run the hares are responsible for checking that all the
hounds have returned. If any are still missing one hour after
the others have returned the hare must organise search parties.
Hares will also be responsible for ensuring that the area has
been cleaned up prior to leaving.
Remember
trails, checks and false trails should all be designed to hold
the pack together in a social run, NOT to create onfusion and
have hounds milling around for prolonged periods or strung out
unnecessarily. Finally to all hounds, the hares will have taken
considerable time and trouble to ensure that your run will be
as enjoyable as possible. Do not spoil it by acting in an unhash
- like manner while running. (Short cutting however is an honourable
activity although hares can lay trails in anticipation of this.)
The calling by the hounds is important, and if necessary one
should return along the trail until the next hound has been
contacted. Although it is not mandatory, it is suggested that
the hound who picks up the trail after a check should return
towards that check and ensure that the rest of the pack is also
"ON". You should call each mark once you have established you
are in fact "ON". On hearing "ARE YOU (ON)?" give the appropriate
reply i.e.
"ON ON" When you are definitely ON.
"ON
HOME" after the ON HOME or ON IN marker.
"CHECKING"
after a check (not "looking").
"CHECK
BACK" when you've been lead up a FALSE trail.
"LOOKING"
when you have lost trail (not after a check).
At
the ON ON after the run give due regard to the Grand
Master and/or Religious Adviser
et. al. particularly when run descriptions, down downs, introduction
of new prints or mention of following events are being made.
"The RA" has ways of making you "Listen Up You Wankers!"
Good
Hashing
ON
ON LaaasssSSSH
Flying
Booger’s Guide to Haring
Half-Mind Cookbook
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