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Upcoming Events:
Hash #29 - Somewhere off campus...
History of the Hash: Early on, the founders developed a style, and rules, for hashing that survive to this day. Basically, hashing is not racing and there is little honor in being first. In fact, hashers that habitually run in front of the pack are referred to derisively as FRBs (Front Running Bastards) and anyone with the temerity to short cut a trail is referred to, here sometimes honorifically, as an SCB (Short Cutting Bastard.) Hashing is closer to orienteering except there is a well-marked trail that everyone, except possibly the SCBs, follows. The closest analogy might be a hare and hounds chase. Here, the objective is for the hare to lead the hounds (pack of runners or hashers) over an interesting and demanding course. Because the course typically breaks every quarter to half mile without an obvious restart point, however, runners of very different abilities will basically all run more or less together. How It Works Typically, the designated hare for the particular hash will lay out the course in advance marking it every 100 feet or so with splotches of flour or chalked arrows. Lampblack, food coloring, or ribbons can be used in snow, but that isn't a common problem here in Southern California. The course over-all should be about 5 miles and hashes typically take about an hour. Every quarter mile or so the marked course ends, either with the mark of an "X" (Check) or by doubling back on itself (Circle Check). As the hashers run along the course, it is considered good hash etiquette to yell out ON ON! upon observing a mark and CHECK! upon reaching a Check. When they reach a Check, the front runners, and subsequently everyone else, take off in all directions looking for a trail to resume with regular marks - while so doing, it is considered good hashing etiquette to yell out LOOKING! periodically. Now, when the trail is found, the fortunate hasher proceeds to follow it yelling out ON ON! as before, but most such trails will go for a quarter mile or so to end with an "F" for False or just peter out for an Implicit False. Whereupon, the hapless hasher will yell out FALSE! and retrace his/her steps back to the Check to resume searching for the true trail. (By now, the basis for the rule: "The silent hasher runs alone!" should be obvious.) A clever hare can lay five or more of these false trails from each Check, hopefully all of which will be followed to their frustrating conclusions before the true trail is found; at which point the process repeats. Hashers who stand around the Check waiting for others to find the true trail earn the less than honorific title of: CHECK HANGER! In addition to laying clever falses, the objective is to make the course interesting. Trails, across tidal estuaries, streams, and fences, through forests, culverts, and canyons, and over bridges, cliffs, scree slopes, and other obstacles are de rigueur. Trails, however, should not be too illegal or impossibly dangerous and poison oak is to be avoided. Most runs end up where they start, but point-to-point runs are encouraged if return transportation can be provided. Return by train or bus can be well received, but it is a little tricky to schedule. Hash runs are typically held on Saturday or Sunday afternoons during the winter and Monday evenings when light permits. Special runs such as a Halloween Hash in full costume are encouraged. Hash runs can also be done with a "live" hare with a fifteen or twenty minute head start. This tends, however, to encourage an all out race to catch the hare. Most Hashes have a HashHorn who blows a bugle to signify that the pack, or he/she at least, is on the (a?) trail. Some Hashes have a whole array of other officers such as a HashMaster, a HashScribe, a HashChaplain, a HashHarlot, etc. Hashers are awarded hash names based on their most notable characteristics or exploits. President Strauss's LA Hash name was Commando based on his tendency to shortcut through strange terrain, but the Worcester Hash renamed him "Commander" to reflect his proclivity (certainly not his ability!) to be out front. The LA Hash named Jean Strauss "Chainlink" in recognition of the seventeen chainlink fences they had to climb on her maiden hash. Following the Hash, the hare provides liquid refreshments and salty snacks at the ON IN where the Hash toasts the hare and new hashers and has been known to sing off-color ditties. On particularly warm days, the hare may choose to serve liquids at some intermediate point on the hash trail - a Liquid Check. Different hashers volunteer as hares for successive hashes. Hash Rules!
If one, or all, of these rules appears to be violated, the concerned party should be referred to Rule #1. Thanks to Commander for this information
1999-2000
1998-1999
1997-1998 Italics denotes someone without a Hash Name.
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Last Updated 25 March, 2001.
Mail updates / comments to Chris Hanusa
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