The Summit Hash House Harriers were founded in November of 1980 as a mixed hash (men and women). We have had over 2256 hash runs as of December 2023. Each run has been unique, unpredictable, occasionally messy, but always fun.
World View: What is Hashing?
Open to anyone and everyone (and a great way to meet folks when traveling),we run 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.
Markings are always safe and biodegradable and normally set in paper, chalk, biodegradable tape or flour.
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 (1938). There are now hash chapters established in almost every country worldwide & in most cities, 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 or rugby 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.
1 Tips on setting a run
(tongue in cheek – attributed to Mud Hatter in the early 1980’s, updated in 2022 for current technology in bold italics)
A lot of folks have funny ideas about how to set a run. And every year or so some hopeless optimist pens a few notes for these pages (see below the additional 2 pieces of advice) on how to do it right. Naturally, given the usual learning curve of most hashers, it usually nets zero improvement. So, let’s be honest with ourselves and, in the interests of keeping Hash House Harriers a small band of like minded idiots as possible, try the following:
Announcements – Give the Hon-Sec/ trail master/ Facebook post a good 2, maybe 3 hours before your run before you let them know the run site and time. This encourages a lot of frantic Saturday morning phone calls/ emails /texts, which as media shareholders, we encourage.
Directions – Be as vague as possible; say “right” when you mean “left” turn; tell ‘em three traffic lights when you mean four, and so on. You don’t want everyone making your run which may result in a large unmanageable crowd.
Trail – Avoid variety like shiggy, fields, water hazards, turnpikes, etc. Many hashers have accounting backgrounds and thrive on routine. Also stay away from checks – these disorient folks. Instead, try for endless stretches of paved roads and sidewalks. This allows the pack to really string out, so hashers can get into mantras, work on travel plans or resumes, or even maybe learn a new language. Seek the proverbial “foolish consistency” and you’ll not be disappointed.
Markings – Flour is OK, but you know what they say about “more than a handful . . . “. Since so much of it is imported these days anyway, do your part for the trade deficit by using it every hundred yards or so, whether you need it or not. It’s best not to seem overanxious, so hide the stuff too, like behind trees, under rocks or in streams where someone’s got to be damn lucky (or part bloodhound) to find it. Don’t be afraid of getting artistic, either. Who said checks have to be round . . . or False trails marked with an “F”? Think of something completely different than the norm & don’t tell them. Some hares get real creative from time to time and use paper, paint, post-its, staples, chalk, ribbons, centerfolds, condoms and stuff and that’s fine too, but just make sure nobody can locate it. After all, hashers hash mostly to bitch and moan (no names mentioned) and it’s your job to provoke them, isn’t it?
Length – Some ‘experienced” types will try to tell you 45 minutes to an hour is just right. Wrong! What’s the matter with a quick 10 minute muckup – which gets you to the suds all the sooner? And who can honestly say he hasn’t enjoyed and envigorating 2 – 3 hour hashathon now and then – which makes the suds taste all the better? All you have to do is leave out the reccy part – only religious fanatics do that stuff a week or so before setting a run. Instead, plan to give yourself a good half-hour before run time and actually show up 10 minutes before the start. Then, take a borrowed cup of flour and let ‘er rip.
Roadies – If you really feel compelled to supply a few bottles of brew at the beginning or end, that’s your hang-up. But be a sport: make sure it’s light (Bud Light is our favorite, right)? Also, remember that some folks are watching their weight, so just a six pack ought to fill the bill.
The On On – Any place with valet service is a plus. Make sure they take Diners Club or Carte Blanche, just in case. Since not too many hashers fancy pizza, try quiche or Szechuan. Once again, beer is not that important but you might want to have one or two ready for the occasional rabblerouser. Finally, don’t bother checking to see if the place will be open on the day of your run. They seldom close, particularly on Monday evenings (see Seoul Brudda for advice). Lastly – Be sure to have a co-hare . . . . its always their fault.
2 Excellent advice to “potential” hares:
Douche Brag, Trailmaster, in the “Year of No-Genitals June 9,2016”
- All hashers have an equal right to hare, no one’s trail is more important than another.
- First come first serve so reserve your date as soon as possible.
- Trail Master can assist with conflicting trails but there are over 100 hashers with a few open dates.
- If you have a special hash: birthday or hashiversary….it is up to you to secure your date.
- If you have a yearly hash, please let the new trail master know what date you want as soon as possible. The trail master has no idea when your annual hash date is supposed to be.
- Check the website to make sure your information has been entered correctly.
- If you have not set a trail in the last calendar year, please volunteer to hare.
- If you cannot fulfill your haring duties, it is up to you to find a replacement.
- If someone has a date you want, it is up to you to work something out.
- The trail master will decide how they wish to address hareless hash dates”
3 The Hash Trail itself
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.
A blob of flour or an arrow
False (F or lines)
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This mark indicates you are on a false trail. You must have been using your brain: don’t do that! Instead 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?
Check (Cross or X or Circle with X or Circle by itself)
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The check mark indicates that the trail has come to an abrupt halt. Where does it go? To find out you must run around at random looking for trail marks and hoping they don’t end in false marks or no marks.
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C < – > E split. C for Chicken and E for Eagle. This simply means that the Eagle is longer than the Chicken. Sometimes SUBSTANTIALLY longer. Sometimes they may also include a W (Walker), much shorter trail. Occasionally SE for a Super Eagle (very long trail). Do you want to do that?
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If you’re not feeling like embarking on a reenactment of the Bataan death march, the Chicken may be the trail for you.
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This mark, or lack thereof, indicates that you have choices. Just don’t yell “On-On!”, yell “On Eagle” or “On Chicken” or “Chicken/Eagle split”.
- BEER NEAR or BN
You lucky SOB! You are either near the end (although some hares are notoriously unable to get the concept “near”) or you are near the beer check. In any case, soon you will have access to beer.
- BACK CHECK or BC
You poor BASTARD! It may be a mile since your last check, but this mark means you go back and look for the true trail all over again. Often a number is also added, meaning go back this number of marks (rough estimate since hares can’t count).
- ON-IN or ON-HOME
You have nearly found the end of the trail and will be rewarded with plenty of frosty roadies.
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 Religious Advisor (since around the year 2000), Grandmaster, one of the two Joint Masters or the next in line of mismanagement. Traditions (and the degree of rowdiness) vary from hash to hash (even RA to RA), 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 or pause 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 most members, visitors, and virgins should come armed with at least one joke or song lest they be called upon. Don’t forget your sense of humor.
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 In