Hash Marks

The following was lifted from Mustang Sally of Pike's Peak H3. Minor editing has rendered it applicable to Charlotte.

A "hash" is a sporting event based on the old English game of "hare and hounds." The hare sets the trail using hash marks and the hounds attempt to follow.

Attempt is the key word, as the hare tries their best to confuse, confound and bamboozle the hounds. Anything goes in a hash, but the one constant is beer: before, during and after the hash, in copious quantities.

The trail is usually indicated by a series of hash "marks" laid down in flour, chalk, kool-aid, lime 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

This mark indicates that you are on trail (maybe). It depends, in some clubs on how many you see (3 and you are definitely "on")--other clubs ignore that custom early and often. It also depends on what marks you see following this one. For example,

False (F or three lines)

This marks 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 or just run around aimlessly hoping to pick up trail at random--your choice.

What's a check mark?

Check (Cross or X or Circle with X or Circle by itself)

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.

Pack Arrow

This arrow with a line beyond the arrowhead was left by some hound who thinks that they are on trail. They may be. They may not be. Do you really trust someone with a disgusting name and an unending tolerance for beer?

Double-headed Arrow

Well, some harriets declare that two heads are better than one, but if you see this mark it means they trail goes in either direction pointed to. Pick one. Give it a shot. Be sure and yell "On-On!" really loudly if you think you have found the true trail.

This mark, or lack thereof, indicates that you are not on trail. You may be lost or you may be short-cutting or you just may be long-cutting. Just don't yell "On-On!", cuz you ain't.

BEER NEAR

You lucky SOB! You are either near the end (although some hashers are notoriously unable to grok the concept "near") or you are near the beer check. In any case, soon you will have access to beer.

ON-IN or ON-HOME or HHH (Home Home Home)

You have found the end of the trail and will be rewarded by being allowed to drink beer.

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, 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. With changing times drinking has lost some of its importance and most clubs now modify their ceremonies to cater to non-drinkers and those stupid enough to think that hashing can improve their health.

The On-On (aka On-On-On, On-Afters, or Après)

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. 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 article originally written by Steve "Modess" Trinka and stolen from the Hunter HHH page
  
• Additional information on starting and conducting hashes can be found at Harrier Net