Hash Marks

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1. TRAIL MARKS LAID BY HARES
These marks will be laid in white baking flour. The flour may sometimes be colored for visibility in snow or for other reasons with non-toxic, biodegradable materials such as powdered drink mixes, Jell-O, powdered children's finger paints, etc.  Experienced hares may use chalk, drywall, toilet paper, etc. for unique parts of their trails.  

"Splotch" = "On-On", these are splotches of flour, not lines, and are about the size of the palm-of-your hand.  They will be spaced so that the pack can follow them, more-or-less within sight of each other, and not hidden behind poles, under parked cars, etc.  Something-like 90% of all marks laid on a hash trail will be these.  While they should lead the hounds through interesting places (trails, forests, fields, hills, buildings, roads, mud, water, etc), it is the other 10% of the marks that truly make hashing a game. 

Marks explained

"O" = "Check".  This circle, with or without "BLH3" and/or an "x" inside of it, indicates a gap in the trail markings.  The hounds must search for the next on-on splotch which can be found in any direction, 360 degrees, from the check.  The distance from the check to the next on-on mark is determined by the hares to provide the pack with a challenge.  Ideally, the next mark will be hard enough to find that the entire pack reaches the check before trail is found. This keeps the pack together and gives all hounds an equal chance to find the the next section of trail.  As a general guideline, checks laid on every city block are "too many" and checks laid a half-mile apart are "too few".  Hounds are to shout "checking" when doing so, and when they find more marks:  "On-one" ... "On-two" ..."On-three" and then "On-on!" or "False Trail" as appropriate.

"lll" - "False Trail".  This mark follows a maximum of three "on-on", or single arrow, marks.  This means "Four and you're On" in hash parlance.   Hounds are to shout "False Trail" and return to the check and try again to find true trail.  False trails add greatly to the game of hashing so there may be none, or many, radiating from each check.
 
"YBF" = "You've Been Fucked", a special form of false trail that can be of any length.  Hounds are to shout "YBF" and return to the last know true trail (typically and turkey eagle split or a check) and try again to find True Trail.

"BC x" = "Back Check", a special form of false trail where the "x" indicates how many marks to count back to a mark that then functions just like a check.  The "BC x" itself doesn't count, but all other marks on true trail before it do, be they splotches, arrows, checks, etc.
 
 "B = "Beer Check” a.k.a. “Beer Stop", at least one per trail.  If the beer isn't obvious at this mark the hounds search to find its nearby hiding spot.  No one leaves until all the beer has been consumed and Mismanagement calls "On-On". There may ALSO be water here, especially on particularly hot days.

"BN" = "Beer Near”.  Sometimes laid to alert the hounds that a "B" is just up ahead (some hounds can really run fast when so inspired!).
   
"Single Arrows" may be laid on true-or-false trails.  Many excellent trails are laid without ANY arrows, but they can be useful when laid sparsely and strategically to direct the hounds toward or away from something, and as a rare confirmation that they are following the trail in the correct direction.
 
"Double Arrows" are laid side-by-side to indicate the direction of True Trail ONLY, thus "double arrows never lie".  Many excellent trails are laid without ANY arrows, but they can be useful when laid sparsely and strategically to direct the hounds toward or away from something, and as a rare confirmation that they are following the trail in the correct direction. 

 "Turkey-Eagle Split":  Sometimes laid on longer trails (5-6 miles) to give the hares a mid-trail option of a shortcut (the Turkey Trail).  There will be no beer stops when the turkeys and eagles are separated, because we want everyone to play together.  The True Trail that includes the Eagle Trail will still be "about 4-6 miles long" (maximum, not to exceed!).
 
"Turtle Check”: Sometimes laid on rare occasions to re-group the pack before a part of the trail where being together is advantageous, such as some steep climbs or descents, shopping malls, suspected private property, deep or fast water crossings, etc.  At this mark all hounds wait until everyone, including the "turtles" at the back of the pack and any other stragglers arrive and Mismanagement calls "On-On".

Trail Marks We Don't Use:  "l" = lines for on-on's or any reason, "X" = checks.  If you see these marks, don't follow them, they are used by the other hash in town, the Boise H3, so we don't use them to avoid confusion if our trails cross. 

2. TRAIL MARKS LAID BY HOUNDS, A.K.A. "MARKING CHECKS"

”Hound/Pack Arrow": Made with chalk, drywall, sticks, etc. almost always only next to checks.  When true trail is found before all the hounds arrive, the pack MAY take mercy on those behind them and indicate which way they went, thereby increasing the chance that these stragglers will catch up at the next check.  These will not be intentionally marked wrong, but mistakes are possible.

"Kicked Checks" are another way of making a Pack Arrow by dragging or kicking the check's flour in the direction the pack went.

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TRAIL STUFF for The Hare

Simple Words from the Hare Raiser

Being a Hare is very important!!!! They can make or break the Hash for that day. It's a big responsibility, yet we must all contribute … it's our duty! Take your time. Allocate plenty of time to adequately prepare for the day. Don't make spontaneous changes on the day of your run.

Hare Duties: Before the Day of the Hash

Select a trail by scouting locations. Run the entire trail several times to ensure you know your route and have planned checks, false trails, beer checks, etc. A-to-B trails are preferred, as are live-laid trails, outdoor starting locations, outdoor beer stops, and outdoor On-Ins.   Off-Road (Shiggy) is the primary hashing zone. Rivers, water, mud, tunnels, ropes, climbing, and any other adverse terrain are HIGHLY recommended. Avoid long stretches of pavement. An IDEAL trail will so confound the hounds that the usual FRBs (Front-Running Bastards) are no more likely to be in the front at any given time than anyone else.  

The length of the trail is to be about 4 to 6 miles (maximum, not to exceed!) of "true trail", which does not include the length of false trails, back checks, YBFs, or being off-flour.  "Too short" trails are better than "too long" trails.

Directions to the starting location must be submitted to the Webmaster/Hash Geek by noon on Monday before your hash. This will give us an opportunity to promote it. Provide the name of the location, the address of the location, AND any additional info that will help even someone from out-of-town find it.

You must buy a bunch of stuff, and you will be partially reimbursed from the day's Hash Cash collection. Buy this stuff: Beer, Flour, Water, Soda, Ice, Munchies, Trash Bags, and Plastic Cups.

  • Beer (plan for one six-pack per person, or 2 pony kegs, or a 15 gal keg, or 7 cases). Until The Boise Larrikins Hash has a baseline of regular attendees, figure 27 people. Plan for one-beer-per-person at the start and also at the beer check with the rest at the On-In. If the starting location is at a bar, the hashers “will be on their own” before the hash, instead of you providing beer. If at a bar for an On-In, and cash is tight, coordinate early and often with the GM so they can shorten the ceremonies or "pass-the-hat" after the ceremonies.
  • Flour: A six-mile trail generally requires a purchase of about 20 pounds of flour. You don't want to run out of flour while marking trail, especially if you're laying a “live trail”.
  • Water: Provide some water (especially in the summer) , at Beer Checks and at the On-In.
  • Soda, or other alternative beverages: Provide some at beer checks and the On-In for any KNOWN non-beer drinkers that are regular attendees, or others you may know of … within reasonable limits of course … that generally means DON'T provide hard alcohol.
  • Ice: Bring something filled with ice to hold it until the On-In and/or to keep the beer cold, be it in cans or kegs.
  • Munchies: A minimum of chips & salsa for the On-In.
  • Trash Bags: To clean up at the start, beer stop(s), and On-In.
  • Cups, Ten Ounce or Larger: Primarily for Down-Downs, but you may want them for some start, beer stop, or On-In locations.

Arrange for at least one Beer Check.

Arrange for a “B-van” to transport hash bags and BEER to the On-In location. Most runs will be A to B, meaning the hash will end at another location (within walking distance to the start). The bags will be transported to the On-In. Any car or SUV will do for a B-Van. Hounds should pack a bag with whatever clothes & shoes they would want to change into if they got very wet on trail.

Try to ensure the ON-IN (the place for down-downs) is relatively well-thought out: not adjacent to a known entity that would resent our songs and Larrikin behavior.

Identify an ON-ON-ON a.k.a ON-AFTER location. This is a festive location we can go and get some grub and maybe a few more beers. Locations close to the On-In are best. Sometimes after the ceremonies have ended and the beer is gone, some of the hashers may decide to continue to socialize together at the same location, perhaps with more substantial food and/or a hot tub (always a hash favorite).

Hare Duties: The Day of the Hash

Lay your trail. If laying a live trail, the GM will tell you when to start during the pre-run circle and you'll get a head start of about 15 minutes. If laying a dead trail, you'll want to start about 3-4 hours before Hash Time so you'll have plenty of time to lay lots of checks and false trails, set up beer stops, etc. If you need more or less time adjust accordingly, but be at the starting location by hash time.

Live trails are preferred, so that hares are not tempted to aid hounds at checks. Live trails with most of it "pre-marked" dead are the second preference; however the hares will be subject to being caught up until the first beer stop.  If hares are on trail with the pack they are STRONGLY advised to not give the pack clues at checks, unless it's certain even the dead-f'ing last turtles have been there SO LONG that they are hallucinating from lack of beer ... in which case giving a turtle or two a clue, and thus a head start, might be okay ... especially if the FRB's are checking far away in a different direction.  Live hares that are "caught" will be addressed in the post-run ceremonies by the GMs or RAs … they may have to drink a "caught" down-down using the "safety-third" pipe ... or something.... :)

The Boise Larrikins H3 uses only flour thrown from a sack. NO CYCLING WATER BOTTLE LINES. Hares will lay palm-of-your-hand-sized splotches of flour, not lines, as On-On marks.  You may take/use only about 15 pounds. Hide replenishment flour out on trail to for pickup when you are laying trail.

Place beer at the beer check. Getting a friend, walker, or non-running hasher to “man” a beer check makes it easier on the Hare.

Hares will give a “chalk talk” in the pre-run circle describing all the marks that will be seen on trail today. This is not an invitation to use unfamiliar marks, its an opportunity for Transfers and Virgins to see how we lay trail, an opportunity for backsliders to re-familiarize themselves, an opportunity for the hounds to be comforted that the hares actually know what they're doing, and an opportunity for the hares to communicate any special instructions to the pack.

Get B-Van with the hash bags to the end. As a live hare, you'll get in early so pickup the B-van and bring it to the end, otherwise find a friend to do this for you. Back to Home Page