Or so it would appear. Or maybe it’s natural for a German to want to eclipse an Austrian. Even if it wasn’t just an old fashioned pissing contest, the outcome was pretty much a fiasco. Clusterfucks like what occurred yesterday left me shaking my head in wonder and fearing for the future.
Do I have your attention now? Alright, good. Perhaps my introductory paragraph contains some amount of hyperbole, but I seriously do have doubts and concerns about the direction my beloved Hash seems to have taken. Here’s why:
Almoranas was the Hare. In my experience, he does a poor job marking a trail, but the trail itself, while usually challenging, is not over the top. That wasn’t the case yesterday. It seems he wanted to outdo Guenter’s monster trail from last week. So, he laid an 11K + path that included two outrageous climbs. And unlike Guenter, he didn’t provide an alternative trail or warn anyone what they were in for. That, in my opinion, is pure bullshit. Moreover, I think it is dangerous and irresponsible. The Subic Hash kennel primarily consists of old retired fuckers, women, inexperienced hikers, and an assortment of visitors from out of town. Now, we do have a handful of really strong individuals who can handle hikes like this without difficulty; but they are definitely in the minority. To not give a heads up to the folks who would struggle with an arduous hike, nor offer any other option is just plain wrong. That’s how I see it anyway.
The feedback on the trail during the circle was universally negative. The ones who like a hard trail were unhappy that it was so poorly marked. Others thought it was too long and too difficult to complete in the allotted timeframe (Guenter had started his long trail two hours early). Of course, we didn’t get to hear from the six Hashers that weren’t back yet when the circle started. The final three got back after dark. That’s just scary to think about them making their way down a mountain in the dark.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I believe the primary responsibility of the Hare is to lay a trail with the safety of your fellow Hashers in mind. Poorly marked trails get people lost. Long and hard trails that can’t be finished by sundown are inexcusable.
I’m not sure what the answer is here. I’m not really in favor of hamstringing the Hares overmuch, they are volunteers after all. Perhaps it is time to make what I do (and had the foresight to do yesterday) “official”–we provide at least one trail each week that everyone can do. There were seven in my group yesterday. We did about 6.5K and at our slow pace, it took nearly two and half hours to complete. Even at that, we got back “On-Home” before the first of the runners on the long trail did. I don’t think the Hares like it when people like me undermine their efforts by making our own trail. All I can say to that is, “fuck you, I’ll do whatever I think is best for me”.
Sorry for the rant. Here are pictures from the alternative trail:
Anyway, I’ve got a group I can walk with regardless of whoever the Hare might be. Anyone of like mind is welcome to join us. Next week, Leech My Nuggets is the Hare. He always lays a well-marked trail and tells you upfront what you can expect. Once when he was the Hare I got in the truck to head out to the start of his trail. He said, “John, I don’t think you want to do my long trail today.” That’s the way to Hare! Leech told us his trail next week is 7.5K. I’m sure there will be ample opportunity to shortcut should the need arise.
On-On!
I guess it’s good to have a Plan B ready for whenever the “main” trail sucks. Keep it safe!
Yep, better safe than sorry.
It does sound pretty irresponsible. From my readings, your Hash House is more of a social club with some hiking, not a hiking club with the occasional social aspect. Or at the maximum, it is equal parts hiking and socializing.
If the Hash House wants to remain viable, it has to appeal to all types. Setting hikes like the one you mention above will only end up decreasing membership.
If there is a faction that wants more hard core hikes, hey, let them form their own hiking club.
Brian, yeah the motto of the Hash is “we are a drinking club with a running problem”. And don’t get me wrong, I have no issues with the folks who like the harder challenge, we just need to have options for everyone else. I’d reckon we are now about 1/3 “socialites” (people who don’t do any trail, just show up for the fun and games). That number will grow if people get to where they won’t risk getting stuck on a mountain after dark.
If I were going to propose a rule it would be along the lines of requiring an alternate trail when the primary trail is too long or hard. Then again, me and my cadre are doing that now unofficially. Maybe that’s good enough.
Never a dull moment in your life. Or perhaps I should say you never fail to document your moments.
Thank you for the writing ✍
Interesting to hear that there are some members of the Hash who don’t regularly participate in the hikes. I had assumed that some people might just get busy and have no time to go on the long hikes ,and others may just like the socializing and drinking parts of the group.
I would imagine that there are membership dues to be paid by each member in order for the group to have all those beers and cakes that you pour on people’s heads during your rituals. As I understand it,you personally pay for some of your female friends’ hiking day trip fees; do you also pay for their regular membership fees (are there regular fees not necessarily apportioned for a specific hiking trip?).
As to the breakaway group, I think all your readers already know that you have your own Alta Vista branch that you lead on your own hikes. But you still want to join the bigger group for drinks afterwards. How much time do you really spend socializing after the hikes? If everyone is still tired and sweaty from the hiking I would think it would be just an hour of giving feedback and a few drinks before everyone has to go home. Not too much socializing for those who hadn’t even participated in the actual hiking.
The organization and management should be quite fun, but also one of those thankless tasks that brings only complaints when things go wrong but hardly any praise.
You’ve got your own little side project with your own walking group so more members may join you . Even better,you may even join those who rarely walk but just come for the socializing.
It all sounds fun
Hey, James. Thanks for the comment! Dull is a state of mind, I suppose. Some mornings when I’m feeling blah, I look around at the beauty that surrounds me and I’m reminded how lucky I am to be living this life.
As to the Hash, we’ve always had a small segment of members who prefer the social aspects and almost never do a trail. I don’t actually count, but that number appears to be growing and I attribute that in part to the increasing difficulty of the trails. A few of us who like the hiking part of the Hash just do an alternative trail when needed. I guess word of that will spread and those so inclined will join us. I’m not going to formally break away from the Hash though.
There is no membership dues, just a weekly fee of 350 pesos ($7) for all participants. I do sponsor some of the local gals who want to join in but couldn’t otherwise afford to do so. My challenge is to drink enough beers to get my money’s worth!
A normal Hash trail should take no more than two hours or so to complete. There is usually an hour or so of socializing/eating before the Hash circle rituals and maybe another hour afterward, at least until the beer runs out. Some folks bring a change of shirts and some venues even have a shower. Me? I just sit around in all my sweaty glory for the world to see. And smell.
The Wednesday/Friday walking groups are nothing like the Hash and I wouldn’t want to formalize them in any way. We just get together, take a hike, and finish up with a few beers. It’s all good!