Hash House Harriers Hare Guide
SO, YOU WANNA HARE?!?*
Having hashed long enough to have 5 hashes under your belt, you have undoubtedly dashed home and frantically turned to this section for instruction on how you, too, can join that elite group of hashers known as Hares. Well, we're glad you asked, because we're from Mismanagement and we're here to help.
Hashing has no rules, but haring does. If you decide to hare a run, you are taking on the responsibility for the group's fun as a whole. If you follow most of the guidance contained here, you should be able to hare a successful run. Of course, if it doesn't turn out that way, the authors of this guidance will disavow ever having provided you the slightest encouragement. Not to put any undue pressure on you up front, but you should understand that hashers judge each other by their ability to lay good trail probably more than any other characteristic. There is general, abiding respect for hashers who make the effort to hare regularly; about the only thing you can do worse than lay a shitty trail is to not even make the effort. Take it from us, haring is fun and it's at the heart of what hashing is all about. However, don't be misled, it's not as easy as it looks and involves a good bit of work. But since most hashers only set about two trails a year, it's worth putting some time and effort into it. Haring a good trail is simple. Just make sure you have covered your bases in each of these areas: Trail, Beer, Safety, and, most importantly, Fun.
TRAIL
Find a co-hare. Before you even search for a trail, find another hasher or two to help you hare. If you are a first-time hare, it is imperative that you find an experienced hare to co-hare with. They can advise you on trail layout and hash logistics. Don't be afraid to ask someone to hare with you who you don't know well. You can make friends quickly through haring together. A total of three hares is probably the most that you want.
Select a trail. Often, it is easiest to find an ending site (Venue) first. If you decide to have a Piss Stop it should be a relatively secluded place where the hash can drink unmolested by property owners, police, and other non-hashers. If you don't know it already, it is unlawful to drink alcoholic beverages in some public places. Your GM should be well versed where the consumption of alcohol is legal and (more importantly) illegal. Keep in mind that expected weather is rarely what you find on your hare day. Be prepared for the worst, and always have a backup plan. Especially during cold/rainy seasons, indoor or covered Piss Stops are particularly prized. At any time of season, shelter is appreciated!
The trail itself should be devious and challenging, but not life-threatening and absolutely not on private property unless permission has been obtained. Land owners will (and have) called the police. Try to find interesting things to run on/through/in like sewers, bush, hills, swamps, creeks, ravines, business parks, public places, etc. The trail should take 60 minutes when you run it straight through, or about 6-8 kms in length. The length of the trail is often dependent upon the weather and grade of hills etc.
Walkers. Some kennels are blessed with the presence of a walking crowd. So whatever you do, don't piss them off. The walkers' trail should be about 1/2 of the distance of the runners' trail. The best walkers' trails are those which merely short cut various parts of the runners' trail. For the walkers, there are several options: you can mark the walkers' short cuts on the runners' trail; or, if you are afraid that the pack will short cut the runners' trail, you can give the walkers a map of the trail with their short cuts noted or specific instructions on what to do where; or you can set a separate walkers' trail.
D-erections. Ideally four weeks prior to the hash date, you need to provide the start location and simple, clear directions with other information (see Promotion section below) so that even people with half-a-brain can follow them. This must be written in the Hash Book - first in first served so that they can be included in announcements and on the web page. A tip: unless you are extremely sure about the accuracy of the directions you provide, go out and drive them to make sure. Your hash won't be any fun if no one can finish it because they couldn't find the start!
Marking the trail. On the day of the run, have enough flour & chalk to handle your trail markings, more if much of the trail is through rough ground you may want shredded paper etc. Do not use permant markers like spray paint - you're on your own if you end up in court. Mark the trail deviously, but don't make it Mission Impossible. Nothing angers a pack more than encountering an unsolvable check. So plan your checks well. True trail should pick up somewhere within about 100 metres of a check. Vary the location of your marks: alternating sides of the street, on trees, on fence posts, etc. Marks should be about every 10 metres - closer in tall grass or nasty shiggy. Don't change direction unless you use an arrow or a check, or, at a minimum, three quick successive marks of flour. If it's pouring rain when you set trail, make sure you put down tons of marks in areas where they are less likely to get washed away- like the trunks of trees. Also, FYI, flour endures rain OK, chalk evaporates in seconds.
Marks.
“ON ON” or “HHH” - Hash Start.
“C” or “O” - Check - check for trail.
“FT”, “T” or “X” - False trail - back to the last check to find correct trail, this should be no more than 100 metres from last check.
"X" inside an "O" - Back Check. New trail should start from back the way you have cum.
“HH” - Hash Halt - halt for runners or walkers to catch up.
“HV” - Hash View
“HP” - Hash Play
“OB” - On back - back to the last check
“PS” - Piss stop - the only reason we hash - free piss.
"OH" - On Home - to the appointed venue for "The Circle".
BEER. Ensure there is enough beer/mixed concoction/soda/water to cover the Piss Stop. A general guide for the Piss Stop is to carter for 30 people. Ask the GM if the hash is averaging more or less than these amounts and plan accordingly as winter months are slower than summer.
Stuff. Keep in mind that someone will have to stay with the hash bags or find a safe place after the pack leaves. We don't want a bunch of hash bags sitting out in the open unguarded for anyone to just help themselves.
SAFETY
This paragraph contains absolutely no bullshit...so listen up. Hares are responsible for reasonable safety considerations on trail. The most dangerous hashing areas are major roadways and railroad tracks. If you have to cross a big road, do it at a light/crosswalk and mark it clearly. Keep off of live railroad tracks unless there is a large enough shoulder on the side to safely accommodate large groups of hashers in the event a train comes by. Do not have the pack blindingly running around main roads trying to solve some stupid check. You also need to carefully check the trail beforehand to make certain that creeks haven't risen over their banks, no areas are washed out, etc. and for barbed wire-type hazards in the woods, and for debris or jagged metal in creekbeds or storm sewers. Splitting some w**ker's head open on a piece of angle iron protruding from the roof of a dark tunnel would put a damper on your hash, to say the least.
The Hash goes rain or shine every week. If you're haring in the summer, ensure there is water at a minimum of one stop and of course the On-In. The Hares are responsible for ensuring that all starters get in safely. The Hares shall conduct a sweep up following the Piss Stop if any starters are unaccounted for (particularly if the pack has informed them of a grievous error in trail-laying protocol). It is not Mismanagement's job to defend Hares against angry, cold, wet, late hashers.
PROMOTING YOUR RUN
So as not to flood hashers In-Boxes with announcements from multiple sources, provide the Hare Raiser with the following information (if applicable):
Theme if any
Hare(s)
Time
Date
Start Location
D'Erections
Any other info
Mismanagement will be responsible for announcing your run through announcements, circle announcements, the Up-Cumming runs page, and the Next Hash page. Please do not flood e-mails daily with updates on how great your run will be.
FUN
Keep in mind that haring should be fun! Haring is to hashing what hashing is to real life. Use your imagination, ingenuity, and sense of humor to create a fun experience for everyone. By the time you start out laying the trail, you won't be able to stand the excitement!!! This excitement is commonly referred to as a Hare High.
Once everyone has been accounted for and you've watered the pack, and done your down-down, congratulations! You can relax and bask in your successfully completed run.
SO, YOU WANNA HARE?!?*
Having hashed long enough to have 5 hashes under your belt, you have undoubtedly dashed home and frantically turned to this section for instruction on how you, too, can join that elite group of hashers known as Hares. Well, we're glad you asked, because we're from Mismanagement and we're here to help.
Hashing has no rules, but haring does. If you decide to hare a run, you are taking on the responsibility for the group's fun as a whole. If you follow most of the guidance contained here, you should be able to hare a successful run. Of course, if it doesn't turn out that way, the authors of this guidance will disavow ever having provided you the slightest encouragement. Not to put any undue pressure on you up front, but you should understand that hashers judge each other by their ability to lay good trail probably more than any other characteristic. There is general, abiding respect for hashers who make the effort to hare regularly; about the only thing you can do worse than lay a shitty trail is to not even make the effort. Take it from us, haring is fun and it's at the heart of what hashing is all about. However, don't be misled, it's not as easy as it looks and involves a good bit of work. But since most hashers only set about two trails a year, it's worth putting some time and effort into it. Haring a good trail is simple. Just make sure you have covered your bases in each of these areas: Trail, Beer, Safety, and, most importantly, Fun.
TRAIL
Find a co-hare. Before you even search for a trail, find another hasher or two to help you hare. If you are a first-time hare, it is imperative that you find an experienced hare to co-hare with. They can advise you on trail layout and hash logistics. Don't be afraid to ask someone to hare with you who you don't know well. You can make friends quickly through haring together. A total of three hares is probably the most that you want.
Select a trail. Often, it is easiest to find an ending site (Venue) first. If you decide to have a Piss Stop it should be a relatively secluded place where the hash can drink unmolested by property owners, police, and other non-hashers. If you don't know it already, it is unlawful to drink alcoholic beverages in some public places. Your GM should be well versed where the consumption of alcohol is legal and (more importantly) illegal. Keep in mind that expected weather is rarely what you find on your hare day. Be prepared for the worst, and always have a backup plan. Especially during cold/rainy seasons, indoor or covered Piss Stops are particularly prized. At any time of season, shelter is appreciated!
The trail itself should be devious and challenging, but not life-threatening and absolutely not on private property unless permission has been obtained. Land owners will (and have) called the police. Try to find interesting things to run on/through/in like sewers, bush, hills, swamps, creeks, ravines, business parks, public places, etc. The trail should take 60 minutes when you run it straight through, or about 6-8 kms in length. The length of the trail is often dependent upon the weather and grade of hills etc.
Walkers. Some kennels are blessed with the presence of a walking crowd. So whatever you do, don't piss them off. The walkers' trail should be about 1/2 of the distance of the runners' trail. The best walkers' trails are those which merely short cut various parts of the runners' trail. For the walkers, there are several options: you can mark the walkers' short cuts on the runners' trail; or, if you are afraid that the pack will short cut the runners' trail, you can give the walkers a map of the trail with their short cuts noted or specific instructions on what to do where; or you can set a separate walkers' trail.
D-erections. Ideally four weeks prior to the hash date, you need to provide the start location and simple, clear directions with other information (see Promotion section below) so that even people with half-a-brain can follow them. This must be written in the Hash Book - first in first served so that they can be included in announcements and on the web page. A tip: unless you are extremely sure about the accuracy of the directions you provide, go out and drive them to make sure. Your hash won't be any fun if no one can finish it because they couldn't find the start!
Marking the trail. On the day of the run, have enough flour & chalk to handle your trail markings, more if much of the trail is through rough ground you may want shredded paper etc. Do not use permant markers like spray paint - you're on your own if you end up in court. Mark the trail deviously, but don't make it Mission Impossible. Nothing angers a pack more than encountering an unsolvable check. So plan your checks well. True trail should pick up somewhere within about 100 metres of a check. Vary the location of your marks: alternating sides of the street, on trees, on fence posts, etc. Marks should be about every 10 metres - closer in tall grass or nasty shiggy. Don't change direction unless you use an arrow or a check, or, at a minimum, three quick successive marks of flour. If it's pouring rain when you set trail, make sure you put down tons of marks in areas where they are less likely to get washed away- like the trunks of trees. Also, FYI, flour endures rain OK, chalk evaporates in seconds.
Marks.
“ON ON” or “HHH” - Hash Start.
“C” or “O” - Check - check for trail.
“FT”, “T” or “X” - False trail - back to the last check to find correct trail, this should be no more than 100 metres from last check.
"X" inside an "O" - Back Check. New trail should start from back the way you have cum.
“HH” - Hash Halt - halt for runners or walkers to catch up.
“HV” - Hash View
“HP” - Hash Play
“OB” - On back - back to the last check
“PS” - Piss stop - the only reason we hash - free piss.
"OH" - On Home - to the appointed venue for "The Circle".
BEER. Ensure there is enough beer/mixed concoction/soda/water to cover the Piss Stop. A general guide for the Piss Stop is to carter for 30 people. Ask the GM if the hash is averaging more or less than these amounts and plan accordingly as winter months are slower than summer.
Stuff. Keep in mind that someone will have to stay with the hash bags or find a safe place after the pack leaves. We don't want a bunch of hash bags sitting out in the open unguarded for anyone to just help themselves.
SAFETY
This paragraph contains absolutely no bullshit...so listen up. Hares are responsible for reasonable safety considerations on trail. The most dangerous hashing areas are major roadways and railroad tracks. If you have to cross a big road, do it at a light/crosswalk and mark it clearly. Keep off of live railroad tracks unless there is a large enough shoulder on the side to safely accommodate large groups of hashers in the event a train comes by. Do not have the pack blindingly running around main roads trying to solve some stupid check. You also need to carefully check the trail beforehand to make certain that creeks haven't risen over their banks, no areas are washed out, etc. and for barbed wire-type hazards in the woods, and for debris or jagged metal in creekbeds or storm sewers. Splitting some w**ker's head open on a piece of angle iron protruding from the roof of a dark tunnel would put a damper on your hash, to say the least.
The Hash goes rain or shine every week. If you're haring in the summer, ensure there is water at a minimum of one stop and of course the On-In. The Hares are responsible for ensuring that all starters get in safely. The Hares shall conduct a sweep up following the Piss Stop if any starters are unaccounted for (particularly if the pack has informed them of a grievous error in trail-laying protocol). It is not Mismanagement's job to defend Hares against angry, cold, wet, late hashers.
PROMOTING YOUR RUN
So as not to flood hashers In-Boxes with announcements from multiple sources, provide the Hare Raiser with the following information (if applicable):
Theme if any
Hare(s)
Time
Date
Start Location
D'Erections
Any other info
Mismanagement will be responsible for announcing your run through announcements, circle announcements, the Up-Cumming runs page, and the Next Hash page. Please do not flood e-mails daily with updates on how great your run will be.
FUN
Keep in mind that haring should be fun! Haring is to hashing what hashing is to real life. Use your imagination, ingenuity, and sense of humor to create a fun experience for everyone. By the time you start out laying the trail, you won't be able to stand the excitement!!! This excitement is commonly referred to as a Hare High.
Once everyone has been accounted for and you've watered the pack, and done your down-down, congratulations! You can relax and bask in your successfully completed run.
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