|
|
|
The Summit Hash House Harriers were founded in 1980 as a mixed hash (men and women). We have had over 1420 hash runs as of Feb-12. Each run has been unique, unpredictable, occasionally messy, but always fun.
What is Hashing?
Running through some of the most remote and exotic terrain in the world, while enjoying the satisfaction of quenching the resulting thirst by the consumption of more than adequate amounts of liquid refreshment, the Hash House Harriers have been described as "The drinking club with a running problem."
The general idea: the "hare" for the week sets a trail for the "hounds" to follow. The hash run follows an unpredictable cross-country trail laid with simple trail-marks showing the way. A crafty hare will set "false trails," trying to foul-up the Front Running Bastards (FRB's) in the group, thus allowing the pack the opportunity to catch up. To make sure that the group stays together, harriers yell "ON-ON" when they see a trail-mark and are heading in the right direction.
Shortcutting is a well respected skill of the seasoned harrier! That being said, the "hounds" follow the trail laid by the "hare" with the ultimate goal of reaching the refreshment at the end.
The history of the hash dates back to British Malaysia before the War. There are now hash chapters established in almost every country worldwide, thereby making the planet a less lonely place for many expats who's postings take them to faraway places. The good news for us home-bound Yanks is that hashing has caught on in North America.
Since hashing has been around since the 1930's, different hash clubs have different traditions. Drinking, singing (drinking songs, of course), and other archaic diversions have been known to occur on the hash. Fasten your seatbelts - you never know where a hash trail will take you.
The Hash Trail
The following was lifted from Mustang Sally of Pike's Peak H3. Minor editing has rendered it applicable to Summit. The trail is usually indicated by a series of hash "marks" laid down in flour, chalk, kool-aid, lime, shredded Enron stock certificates, or whatever is handiest. There are some fairly standard marks but each hash "club" is free to interpret or embellish on these at will.
  This mark indicates you are on a false trail. You must have been using your brain: don't! Go back to the last time you saw a check mark and start looking for marks in a different direction. What's a check mark?   
The Circle
At trail's end hashers gather to drink beer and recognize the efforts, deceits, and folly of the hare. The Summit Circle is led by the Grandmaster, or one of the two Joint Masters. Traditions (and the degree of rowdiness) vary from hash to hash, but in general the Circle consists of awarding "Down-Downs" for misdemeanors real, imagined, or blatantly made up. Visitors are always given a Visitors Down-Down as are Virgins (first-time hash runners) and anyone else who comes to the attention of the Circle. The Circle can last a couple of minutes or half the night depending on the level of religious fervor of the hash. Some hashes suspend ceremonies for awhile to consume food provided by the hare(s). Other hashes, at the conclusion of the Circle, repair to a nearby restaurant or pub. Hash revelry may continue with the telling of jokes and the singing of songs, and all members, visitors, and virgins should come armed with at least one joke or song lest they be called upon. Why not give it a try? Get off that damn couch and see what you've been missing. Experience the irrational exuberance of a Summit Hash House Harrier run!
On
For more information about the spirit of hashing, read the article found in this link:
|
