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| Cramer waiting for the hash to start...he never sits still |
Cramer and I are members of the Hash Harriers in St. Kitts. A little introduction to Hashing follows thanks to Wikipedia (not a good source for school, just life :-)
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| The flag! An orange flag indicates the correct trail |
The Hash House Harriers is a decentralized organization with each chapter, sometimes called a kennel, individually managed with no uniting organizational hierarchy (although the locations of national and international gatherings are decided by a meeting involving representatives from a number of hashes). A chapter's management is typically known as the MisManagement and consists of individuals with various duties and titles. There are more than 1,700 chapters spanning all seven continents. Most major cities are home to at least one chapter. Chapters typically contain between 20-100 members, usually mixed-sex, with some metropolitan area Hashes drawing more than 1,000 hashers to an event.
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| One of the many hills that seemed to the theme for this particular hash |
At a Hash, one or more members (Hares) lay a trail, which is then followed by the remainder of the group (the Pack or Hounds). The trail often includes false trails, short cuts, dead ends, and splits. These features are designed to keep the pack together regardless of fitness level or running speed, as front-runners are forced to slow down to find the "true" trail, allowing stragglers to catch up.
Members often describe their group as "a drinking club with a running problem," indicating that the social element of an event is as important, if not more so, than any athleticism involved. Beer remains an integral part of a Hash, though the balance between running and drinking differs between chapters, with some groups placing more focus on socializing and others on running.
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| Bear just couldn't make it! I seem to be flagging as well (pink shirt) |
Generally, Hash events are open to the public and require no reservation or membership, but some may require a small fee, referred to as hashcash, to cover the costs incurred, such as food or drink.
The end of a trail is an opportunity to socialize, have a drink and observe any traditions of the individual chapter (see
Traditions). When the Hash officially ends, many members may continue socializing at an
On-After,
On-Down,
On-On-On, or
Hash Bash, an event held at a nearby house, pub, or restaurant.
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| Julie and Bear finally at the top |
Our particular Hash Harriers meet every 3 weeks plus special events and has two components: one running, and one walking (thank the lord!). The courses are designed to take one hour of rigorous hiking and let me tell you, some of them are brutal such as the one the pictures are from. After the hash is completed, a picnic (usually hotdogs, beer, soda for kids, and water if you must) are available and it is at that time that initiations and Down-Downs occur.
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| Yet another straight up hill! |
At initiation, the newbies to hashing (there are always a few) are welcomed to the group with a baptism of beer, and then they have to chug one. Whatever you can't chug you have to pour on your head; this is a rule any time you have to chug a beer.
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| The views at the top made the hills almost worth it |
A Down-Down is another tradition that occurs at the end of the hash at the picnic. During the hash the Mismanagement (the leaders) watch and decide on random events to punish the hashers for. Swearing, wearing purple sunglasses, being too hot and therefore distracting fellow runners/walkers, letting your dog use the restroom in an inappropriate place etc. You never know what they are going to pick and if you are going to have to do a Down-Down until your name is called at the circle during the picnic and your offense is announced. You then have to chug a beer while everyone sings in a lusty bar-room baritone;
"He/She's an asshole so we say, but we really wouldn't have 'em any other way, drink it down down down down down down down"
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| Initiation, two roomies this time |
and the down downs continue until the drinker stops. If they finished the beer we cheer, if they didn't they have to pour the rest on their head! I haven't had to do a down down yet but no fear, I will finish the beer!
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| Ashley is now a Hasher! |
My absolute favorite part of the picnics occurs during the down downs and goes unnoticed by most people because they are focused on the person chugging. I watch the kids that have come and hiked with us (mostly professor's children). They love the down downs and stand on the outskirts of the circle clutching their sodas and chugging along with the punished! These kids chug soda for every down down and there are normally 8-10. By the end they are either rolling on the ground with distended bellies or, to their parents horror, belching at such octaves to empress a grown man :-).
There are also special events such as the red dress Valentine's Day Hash. What was special? Everyone, man or women, had to show up in a red dress or lingerie! Cramer and I didn't make that one because I was in midterm mode and I doubt I would have gotten pictures of us anyway!
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| Maggie is now a Hasher! Cramer's bud Dan was next |
We really enjoy getting out and going to the hashes and I hope it is something we can continue wherever we end up. If there isn't a local hashing chapter, perhaps I'll have to pioneer and start one, I've been known to do crazier things. To the horse people of my life, how amazing would it be to have the first Horse Hash Harrier chapter? Can you imagine; it would be similar to fox hunting but without the prey and formality, pure trail blazing!
P.S. Welcome to the newest member of the house, Gidget! Maggie just couldn't say no and adopted her from the kennel at Ross. Ross's kennel dogs are strays that are brought in for us to practice procedures. They serve two years and are them up for adoption to students and screened locals. Gidget was lucky enough to look at Maggie the right way :-)
