Basics of Hashing
A hash consists of three main parts:
The Run (aka Trail)
One or two hashers, called the hare(s), lay a trail. They mark their trail with chalk arrows, shredded paper, flour, or pieces of toilet paper hanging in the bush, depending on local tradition or terrain. They might pre-lay trail a day or a few hours before the hash ("dead hare"), or they might lay the trail as "live hares," running ahead of the pack with only a short (15 minutes is typical) head start. At a given signal, the rest of the hash (the Harriers, Harriettes, hounds, or pack) set off in pursuit of the trail. The idea is to keep the pack somewhat together and this is achieved by setting false trails, cunning checks, and sneaky loops. The fitter front runners will often run twice as far as the more slothful members, yet still finish the run at the same time as the rest of the pack. The length and difficulty of the run depends on the hare and the terrain but will typically be between four and eight kilometers, or about 45 minutes to an hour of running with checks, false trails, and shortcutting.
The Circle (aka Religion)
At trail's end hashers gather to drink beer and observe religious ceremonies . . . which consist of drinking more beer, this time ritualistically. Circles may be led by the hash Grandmaster, the Religious Adviser, or by a committee of mismanagement. 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, and the recipients will most likely have been dobbed in by their fellow hashers. 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.
The On-On (aka On-On-On, On-Afters, or Après)
Some hashes suspend ceremonies for awhile to consume food. Other hashes, at the conclusion of the Circle, repair to a nearby restaurant or pub. This is the social part of the hash, and the party usually breaks up afterward. In some hashes, however, religion may continue during or after On-Ons, with the telling of jokes and singing of songs, and all members, visitors, and virgins should come armed with at least one joke or song lest they be called upon.
The above information was blatantly stolen from the Hunter HHH Page.
The Run (aka Trail)
One or two hashers, called the hare(s), lay a trail. They mark their trail with chalk arrows, shredded paper, flour, or pieces of toilet paper hanging in the bush, depending on local tradition or terrain. They might pre-lay trail a day or a few hours before the hash ("dead hare"), or they might lay the trail as "live hares," running ahead of the pack with only a short (15 minutes is typical) head start. At a given signal, the rest of the hash (the Harriers, Harriettes, hounds, or pack) set off in pursuit of the trail. The idea is to keep the pack somewhat together and this is achieved by setting false trails, cunning checks, and sneaky loops. The fitter front runners will often run twice as far as the more slothful members, yet still finish the run at the same time as the rest of the pack. The length and difficulty of the run depends on the hare and the terrain but will typically be between four and eight kilometers, or about 45 minutes to an hour of running with checks, false trails, and shortcutting.
The Circle (aka Religion)
At trail's end hashers gather to drink beer and observe religious ceremonies . . . which consist of drinking more beer, this time ritualistically. Circles may be led by the hash Grandmaster, the Religious Adviser, or by a committee of mismanagement. 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, and the recipients will most likely have been dobbed in by their fellow hashers. 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.
The On-On (aka On-On-On, On-Afters, or Après)
Some hashes suspend ceremonies for awhile to consume food. Other hashes, at the conclusion of the Circle, repair to a nearby restaurant or pub. This is the social part of the hash, and the party usually breaks up afterward. In some hashes, however, religion may continue during or after On-Ons, with the telling of jokes and singing of songs, and all members, visitors, and virgins should come armed with at least one joke or song lest they be called upon.
The above information was blatantly stolen from the Hunter HHH Page.
How to be a Hare
So at last you're going to hare an Hash. Here is some useful advice:
1) PLACE: try to find a green area (it’s still possible in Rome). Use an area you know well. The starting point and venue for the on-on should be reasonably quiet (the less disturbance by mere mortals the better) and away from heavy traffic. Remember the need for parking and for those using public transport. Avoid places of public gathering (churches on Sunday) and guarded areas (embassies).
2) PREPARATION: walk the planned trail to work out false trails and check backs. Estimating the actual hash time is not so easy, in general it's 1/3 to 1/2 the pre-hash walk time. On the day allow plenty of time for setting the trail (you may be drinking a lot more than the first walk through). Do not use a motorino or a cycle for trail laying - you have been warned!
3) Hash marks:
4) Trail: avoid streets with heavy traffic. If it is necessary to cross a busy street use a check just before the crossing to slow everyone down. Sudden changes in direction should be marked with an arrow or preceded by a check. Use only official hash marks. Remember: a good trail goes through mud, water, bushes, and excrement of any nature.
5) Flour: to mark a day-time hash 5kgs is about average (try using a bottle). For a night hash as much as 10kgs will be used.
6) Beer: you can never have too much. For a thirsty pack of 50 you will need 7>10 cases of beer and 3 cases of soft drinks (for those with ailing livers). Don't forget the surplus can go towards your next party.
7) Ice & coolers: there is one Hash cooler available for use. The drinks need to be iced in all weathers (it is difficult to buy ice: you will have to make, freezing down bottles of water; during the summer ask the pack for help in producing ice.)
8) Food: one word - simplicity . The on-on is not meant to be a meal (unless you hash with the Adriatic H3). Do not feel obliged to do anything other than supply rolls of some description and a few packets of crisps. Better the hash complains about the food than a short age of beer.
For help or advice ask the mismanagement.
(From a 1995 Rome Hash guideline)
1) PLACE: try to find a green area (it’s still possible in Rome). Use an area you know well. The starting point and venue for the on-on should be reasonably quiet (the less disturbance by mere mortals the better) and away from heavy traffic. Remember the need for parking and for those using public transport. Avoid places of public gathering (churches on Sunday) and guarded areas (embassies).
2) PREPARATION: walk the planned trail to work out false trails and check backs. Estimating the actual hash time is not so easy, in general it's 1/3 to 1/2 the pre-hash walk time. On the day allow plenty of time for setting the trail (you may be drinking a lot more than the first walk through). Do not use a motorino or a cycle for trail laying - you have been warned!
3) Hash marks:
- Trail marks: dots of flour, in dense vegetation every 5 meters, on a street without side streets every 25 meters. To make it difficult to destroy your trail put the flour at the bottom of trees and streetlights and in places where it can not be rubbed out easily (this also applies during inclement weather). Try to avoid places where a car may be parked at the time of the hash. If you're laying a torch light or full moon hash remember to adjust the distances between marks accordingly.
- Check-point: a circle of flour, best made around objects. Here the trail stops and the hash has to find it again. Do not hide the check-point but don’t make finding the real trail easy either. Hide the real trail as much as possible so that false trails are taken. First flour should be at least 100 - 200 meters from the check.
- False trail: used from a check-point to confuse and slow down the FRB's. Remember: easy to find false trails will not confuse anyone, use your imagination. Mark the end of a false trail with a "F". Hide the "F” so it can not be seen from a distance. Pace out your false trails to ensure they start before the real trail.
- Check-back: marked with a “CB”. Used to stop the trail (to slow down FRB's and bring the pack together) the trail should recommence between this point and the last check.
- Beer-break: marked with a check containing "BB" (the best way to bring the hash together).
- Song-break: marked with a check containing "SB."
- Hash-halt: marked with a check containing "HH." Use on long stretches to regroup the pack.
- On-In: written in flour. From here on its everyone for themselves back to the beer by the shortest route possible.
4) Trail: avoid streets with heavy traffic. If it is necessary to cross a busy street use a check just before the crossing to slow everyone down. Sudden changes in direction should be marked with an arrow or preceded by a check. Use only official hash marks. Remember: a good trail goes through mud, water, bushes, and excrement of any nature.
5) Flour: to mark a day-time hash 5kgs is about average (try using a bottle). For a night hash as much as 10kgs will be used.
6) Beer: you can never have too much. For a thirsty pack of 50 you will need 7>10 cases of beer and 3 cases of soft drinks (for those with ailing livers). Don't forget the surplus can go towards your next party.
7) Ice & coolers: there is one Hash cooler available for use. The drinks need to be iced in all weathers (it is difficult to buy ice: you will have to make, freezing down bottles of water; during the summer ask the pack for help in producing ice.)
8) Food: one word - simplicity . The on-on is not meant to be a meal (unless you hash with the Adriatic H3). Do not feel obliged to do anything other than supply rolls of some description and a few packets of crisps. Better the hash complains about the food than a short age of beer.
For help or advice ask the mismanagement.
(From a 1995 Rome Hash guideline)
