Hash History Part 5:
A trail may be 'A to A', where the run starts and ends in the same place, or 'A to B' where the run ends in a different location and the pack is transported back to the run site. It could even be a 'B' to 'A' run, where the pack is transported to a starting point to run back to the run site.
Often the hare will employ several tricks in attempts to slow the pack and to keep runners and walkers together. The hare may mark an intersection - generally called a "check" - that signifies that the trail continues within a 360-degree area from that point. Several false trails may lead from that check and it is up to the front runners to "solve" the trail by going out and determining what might actually be the correct path, or "true trail". Once the true way has been determined, then that runner may mark the check to indicate the proper direction so that anyone to come up it later (such as the walkers, other runners, or anyone arriving late) will not have to figure it out all over again.
The pack will generally carry whistles, horns, or other audible means of communicating in order to assist each other on trail and keep from getting lost. A member of the pack calling out "Are you?" means to know if another individual is searching for the true trail, typically near a check (or intersection), or is on the correct path. Someone will typically call out either "Checking!" to indicate that they are looking for the trail or "On-On", or blow their whistle or horn three times, to signify that they are on the true trail and that the pack should follow them. (Otherwise, the member may shout "Flying!" or give a couple of "wing flaps" with their arms indicate that they have abandoned the true trail in search of a short cut in which case, others should only follow at their own risk.)
Every Hash House employs its own set of marks and the names for these marks may vary widely, so Hashers visiting another pack should check the local signs before the run. Traditionally, new runners or visitors will have the local markings explained to them before the run at a "chalk talk" or first circle.
In some chapters, the hares are present at the start of the run. They will give some trail-specific advice, too, such as rare markings used, or particular encounters such as a swimming hole.
Trails do get awry or completely shot up. This could happen if the runs were too long, too short, checks were too difficult, too easy, trails inadvertently crisscrossing, paper not sufficient, paper missing, earlier running chapter’s papers not picked up causing confusion, or anything that makes runners straggling back with unmentionable remarks.
It is generally accepted that runs must be between 1.0 and 1.5 hours for the front runners. Others usually come in within 30 minutes after. (If the run is too short or exceeds the time limit, the hare would have to do a fine run later.)
So that’s the history which gives you something to chew on and compare to how we do things here, note the biggest difference is the use of a backcheck which is totally different from a False trail (which send you directly back to the check). A back check means you have to go back and check between the back check marker (2 blue parallel sticks) and the Check (2 crossed red sticks), the trail can be found somewhere between these 2 trail marks.
On to today’s run, after a COVID lockdown of 8 months, the anticipation could not be higher, everyone desperate to get out and spread their legs. The Hares did a great job in finding a car friendly site, surrounded by Oil Palm trees. The run was through greatly overgrown casava fields and some nice farmers tracks, with no visible signs of water anywhere. The runners and walk runners covered 6.8km and the old farts covered 3.3km.
The pack was called to order and the GM began the circle with the Hash Crash victims: Singing Granny, Jacqueline, and (don’t call me) Something Stupid, hastily followed by Hash Trash featuring Jacqueline again (lost her specs) and Out Of Order (Bali Interhash towel).
Sw2T then iced the hares GM & Spermy for setting a good run, producing acclaim for the fastest runner based on kg/km Crap Thai, fastest Tapioca Runner Jellobut (because he never breaks checks), Feel my Meat for being the best looking and Antique as the oldest.
The raffle was followed by the GM praising the Covid returnee Antique for stepping in to look after Hash Rags and was given a Hash Hero award. More praise for Mount Me & YMCA for stepping up to do Signups. Mr Bean was punished for late sign-up queue jumping and LCF for turning up late. The GM then gave a passionate plea for more member to come forward to support the committee.
Sw2T sympathised with Window Wanker over the demise of his Me-Annoy, and punished Mr. Bean for no hash shirt and RSB for no Beer hunter song. He then welcomed the visitors George, Graham Rae and Billy No Mates (from Phuket Tin Man Hash)
GM then praised 35 members who attended the Regal Hair Removal Ceremony at the MMM which raised over 43,000THB for the Take Care Kids appeal and Singing Granny gave a rousing version of Chanson D’Amore. Fleece Llfter was then exposed as a Miracle Herbal Drug Dealer.
LCF did his usual “off the cuff” improvisation(how does he do it?) by pointing out Pussy Snatcher (amongst quite a few others) was looking pregnant due to Covid Lockdown Spread. Feel My Meat volunteered to sing a very Bawdy Russian (Rugby?) Hash, which all enjoyed.
GM the drew in the Birthday Folks Namely LCF (76) and Spermy’s Gerhau (look it up, daughter in law) Black Diamond on 17th birthday who was presented with a cake.
Spermy (master of Karaoke) and the GM then sang “the Hairs on her Dickie Dido” which went down well, followed by G.I.Joe’s favourite song ‘(I know a song that will get on your nerves, get on your nerves,get on your nerves)’ x6,
The “Final Down Down” & “Hash Hymn” concluded an excellent day’s hashing in South East Bangkok!
And so it was …..thanks again to the hares for the Run.
On On, Burl Ives.