Hashing in the Hays

Camp John Hay, that is. This is the second time I’ve had the pleasure of hiking through the forested trails on this former U.S. military installation. The path we took on the short route (6.5K) had its ups and downs, but no exhaustingly long climbs. And the lungs didn’t give me any trouble during the hike. Thanks to the La Union Hash House Harriers for the invite and for providing everyone with a Hashy good time.

I didn’t count the number of Hashers in attendance, but the sign-up cutoff was 100.
Here are the attendees from Subic Bay H3
The Hare gives last-minute guidance.
And off we go!
The first 2K was on pavement walking to the gates of Camp John Hay.
The long and winding road
Be careful, Josh; one false step and you are a goner!
I didn’t take the pledge, but I did hug a tree.
Finally on the forest trail. I’d never seen a handprint Hash mark before, but they are easy to follow.
Hopping a creek
Through the woods
One of the ups
And a down. Easier trail than most of the Subic hikes.
More signage to provide inspiration
Josh is making his way past the defunct zipline, presumably another COVID casualty.
Hello down there!
Hello up there!
Almost finished now.
Subic Gash enjoying some beverages post-hike
Subic Gash on the ice
After a brief circle-up, we moved to the On-Home hotel and had dinner by the fire.
The view of the hike from above. A very pleasant afternoon.

After dinner, the Subic group gathered at the small bar back at The Log Cabin hotel.

Guys on one end of the table, the gals on the other. Funny how that works. Lots of beers were drunk before the 9 p.m. last call. Actually, the bar ran out of beer before 9:00. Guess they didn’t expect a group of thirsty Hashers to invade the place.
We enjoyed this duo’s music again, and once the alcohol kicked in, we engaged in some sing-along fun. It really was a good time.

Made the long drive home after breakfast, and I’m a bit exhausted, but it is Sunday, and that means there are hungry girls at Hideaway to feed. And I’m sure they will be expecting some pasalubong from Baguio.

Luckily, I am prepared for those expectations with some Baguio delicacies (and refrigerator magnets). And yes, those are fresh, locally grown strawberries. I bought some for myself too, and will be enjoying a strawberry smoothie when I return home from tonight’s mission.

Oh, here are a couple of shots I took on the drive down the mountain looking back at Baguio:

It’s a city literally built on a mountainside. I’m talking way there in the background.
I did a zoom shot so you could see it better.

Time for me to get on with it, then. Back tomorrow with more of the inanity you’ve come to expect from me!

2 thoughts on “Hashing in the Hays

  1. Looks to have been a beautiful excursion. Hope Josh had fun.

    That singing duet—are they Filipino? They almost look Korean, at least from that angle.

    From that trail poem:

    Where sound in honed/To bring distance home

    I assume the “in” is a typo. It should probably be “is.”

    Baguio looks like an interesting place. Any plans to go back?

  2. Yes, Josh seemed to have a good time. He wants to do the Subic Hash today.

    The singers were definitely Filipino; I wish I had taken a decent photo of them.

    Yes, Baguio is a nice enough place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there. Traffic is insane in town, and the only access is up a long and twisty mountain road where one mistake sends you over a cliff. I’d also miss the water views I enjoy here. Once a year is about right for me in Baguio.

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