The good news is that it did not rain during the 1360th running of the Subic Hash House Harriers. Now that we’ve got that out of the way…
The Hare was the notorious Leech My Nuggets, ably assisted by his partner in crime girlfriend, Leech My Pussy. In all fairness, Leech stated that the 6K trail was almost completely flat. Given his history of mountain goat trails I’m not sure anyone believed him. The girlfriend did let slip that there was “some” water on the trail, so I guess it can’t be said that we weren’t warned.
The trail did in fact turn out to be flat. Ironically, it was in an area I had scouted for potential use the last time I wore the mantle of Hare. At that time I rejected leading the kennel out there because I deemed it “too wet”. Of course, that was BEFORE the heavy rains we’ve experienced these past two weeks. I’ve got lots of pictures this week, I’ll let them tell the story.
The trail we hiked, pretty much in it’s entirety. I deviated slightly at the end, opting to forego a water crossing I deemed unsafe (deep and fast current). That’s me, clumsily extracting myself from the Hashmobile at the trail head.And we are off! Or technically, “on-on”.How now, brown carabao?Hey, this ain’t so bad…Yep, feet still dry! I’m liking this trail! So far.A river runs through it. You stay in your bed, I’ll stay in mine…Okay, a healthy looking rice paddy. Rice don’t grow on trees you know…Farmers hard at work tending the crop…While this lazy carabao looks on…Farm living!And those Hashers go marching along…Now walking along these narrow berms is a little trickier than it looks. Not always level, sometimes a hidden hole. And one false step……and you’re in the soup. Rice soup as it were.For some reason Leech thought it would be fun to see us tall guys bend over to our knees to make our way through this lean-to like shelter……which turned out to be nothing compared to what we had to do on the other side. That water was over my knees…Water, water everywhere!And just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does.A sticky, sucky, muddy walk that was!Those are my shoes after that particular crossing…But not to worry, there was plenty of opportunity to clean most of the mud off. Like here.And here.Well, once your shoes and socks are soaked, what difference does it make anymore?But at some point enough is enough. Here the Hashers are revolting and bypassing the water crossing I mentioned earlier. Instead we took a road with a perfectly fine bridge over those troubled waters before rejoining the Leech trail and making our way on-home to Johansson’s.The Hares spending some well earned time on the ice!
Honestly though, it wasn’t all that bad. I enjoyed being out on trail again after my two week hiatus.
And oh by the way, it’s raining again today.
When you’re down and out When you’re on the street When evening falls so hard I will comfort you I’ll take your part Oh when darkness comes And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down
Sail on, silver girl Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine Oh if you need a friend I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind Like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind
2 thoughts on “I’ll have some water and mud with my Hash, please!”
I sympathize with the whole wet-shoes thing. Be glad your trek was under 10K. I was rereading my 2017 journal and came across the entry where I described how it had been raining all day, so I of course ended up with blisters after eight or nine hours of walking. That said, it’s always nice to get back to a dry place and tug/peel off one’s nasty footwear. One of the simple pleasures of existence.
Yeah, I hear you. In fact, the trail came through Alta Vista at the end, so I popped into my house, dropped off my walking stick and changed into sandals. Felt damn good!
I sympathize with the whole wet-shoes thing. Be glad your trek was under 10K. I was rereading my 2017 journal and came across the entry where I described how it had been raining all day, so I of course ended up with blisters after eight or nine hours of walking. That said, it’s always nice to get back to a dry place and tug/peel off one’s nasty footwear. One of the simple pleasures of existence.
Yeah, I hear you. In fact, the trail came through Alta Vista at the end, so I popped into my house, dropped off my walking stick and changed into sandals. Felt damn good!