ZULU'S GUIDE TO LAYING TRAIL
General Guidelines
Hashing has no rules, but
Haring does.
USE COMMON SENSE!
Virgin Hares
must lay with
experienced Hares, never with other Virgins (ideally two experienced
Hares with one Virgin)
Click to go
to PanamaJackoff's Virgin Lay Guide
Run start.
The start should allow
sufficient, safe parking without tickets, towing, etc. Be sure the
expected crowd can be accommodated at the start area. Don't put us out in the
middle of a busy
street.
Bag-Wagon.
Don't expect someone will be there to keep an eye on everything in the back of a
pick-up
truck. Hash cash wants to pack up and run just like everyone else so there needs
to be someone
there to watch the bags. If they are in a locked truck or van, hash cash can
lock up and take off.
Run End.
The end will be in an area
where beer is legal, and where the hash can congregate without
interference. Light is necessary and may have to be provided by lanterns, etc.
Don't put us in an
illegal area where the Police are going to rush us out. Get everyone to the
finish in about an hour.
Avoid traffic, crossing busy intersections, and respect "No Trespassing" signs.
Lost Hashers:
Hares are responsible for finding any Hashers still out on the trail by the time
the
ON-ON is over. This is good incentive to lay a well-marked trail! The search
party starts with the
hares.
ON-IN
Location must be written in
chalk at the start, after the pack has left. Should be within walking distance
of the start, or hares must provide transportation. Ideally the site should be
well lighted and include restrooms. In case of rain an alternate site that is
sheltered, or at least covered is a must in winter.
ON-ON-ON
Location - Choose a nearby eating establishment that serves BEER, reasonably
priced entrees and ideally an outdoor patio area where we can segregate
ourselves and make noise. Warn establishment in advance of approximate number
of people and estimated time of arrival. Hares responsible to provide
information at on-in (in addition to ON-IN Location)
Planning
Pick up the coolers and other
run stuff at the run before yours. Inventory what you pick up to help
when buying needed items for your hash. Empty and dry out the coolers and soda
cans to prevent
creatures from growing in them.
Hares are responsible to
provide a large enough Bag-Wagon and get it to the finish, and to get the food
and beer to the finish. ARRANGE THIS AHEAD OF TIME. It is the brewmeister's
responsibility to bring beer kegs to the start, not to the end.
For A to B runs, hares are to transport hashers back to the start and may make a
few trips. Plan to
have a large enough vehicle to do this.
Directions:
You should go out and actually drive according to the directions you plan to
give, to see if the off ramps are marked as you say, and people who are
strangers to the area can follow the directions.
Publicity: Please get word to [whoever] at least three weeks before
your run so the location and special arrangements can be publicized.
Special arrangements:
Please do NOT plan any time changes, extra charges, or other deviations from
normal deviant hash behavior without advance clearance from the mismanagement.
Runs should have beer check(s) midway to
2/3rds through run.
Hares are responsible for
coordinating, providing, and manning beer check
The Trail
Run the entire run and time it
to estimate the overall length. If it's at night, run it in the dark to
avoid loosing your way in a canyon while haring live.
Hares must select hash location and notify trailmeister 3 weeks in advance of
run.
Scout your trail beforehand (if you can scout it by car, you need to try another
trail.)
Runs should be approximately 1-2 hours long and 3 - 5 miles in length depending
on terrain and weather conditions.
Trail markings should be by flour, chalk, toilet paper, or other suitable
means. Don’t skimp on flour - It is far better to lay a trail that’s easy to
find and a son of a bitch to traverse, than vice-versa.
Hash marks should be placed no more than 25 yards or so apart (approximately 20
paces.)
Be creative. You’re not catering to any special interest group - especially
competitive runners. A regroup at the beer check or an overlook is great way
for slower runners to catch up.
The trailmeister will usually give a chalk talk before the hash. This is to
acquaint the new boots with hashing in general and to apprise everyone of the
marking methods you are using.
Flour marks should be
approximately every 10 to 20 paces.
Hash marks to be used when laying trail:
Flour
Chalk (Hare) Arrow
Check
Hare arrows should be used to
indicate any change in direction and at all street corners. Toilet paper
can be used when flour and arrows cannot be seen.
Checks tend to bring the strewn out run group together, as front runners look
for true trail from a
check while the rest of the pack reaches the check waiting for an inkling as to
where to go next.
A run should contain approximately a half dozen checks. Fewer could make for a
boring trail, and
a lot more can make for a much longer run.
The trail should start up within 100 yards of the check. Back tracks should be
less than 1/4 mile long.
The true trail should
come out of check in a forward direction, on to the right or left, (not back in
the direction of the original trail).
A trail should be easy to follow when you are on trail, flour placement can be
clever, but should not be hidden.
Use interesting checks to keep the pack together, not obscure trails. Trails
should not go through private property without owners' permission.
Dangerous places, such as unstable cliffs on night runs or heavy traffic areas, should be avoided.
Beer checks are a good idea,
and should include sodas & plenty of water. Long and/or hot trails
should include extra water. Runs should have
beer check(s) midway to 2/3rds through run.
It is the hares’
responsibility to coordinate on providing and manning beer check
At a check, a trail cannot 'die'. If a trail is marked and it is not true trail
there will be a backtrack made by three lines across the trail.
Run Length
Approximately 3-5 MILES
If you want longer runs you must have a turkey-eagle split. No one should have
to run more than 4
miles if they don't want to.
It’s a good idea to stash flour on trail to avoid carrying a heavy bag.
Runs should have beer check(s) midway to 2/3rds
through run.
It is the hares’
responsibility to coordinate on providing and manning beer check
Run Budget
Get everything you can from
the BeerMiester & Trailmeister to save money, then do the following:
You are responsible to buy the following with the budget. Don't expect to be
reimbursed if you spend
more than the budget without first checking with the Hashcash. Some important
considerations:
Soda as prescribed in the budget
Ice for coolers (10# per cooler), -flour- 25#, Colored Chalk, Beer Cups, etc.
Munchies: Typically veggies & dip, chips & salsa, or whatever else looks good
and is under budget .
Get good beer that is within your budget.
Hashcash will reimburse you (within specified budget) after your hash. Confirm
the budget BEFORE you buy, and provide him/her with receipts of your purchases.
The budget is determined from the standard run fee of $5.00. If you need more
cash, you can make
arrangements for a higher run fee with the Hare Raiser when you sign up. This is
discouraged, but
there are exceptions for occasional theme run.
Good Sources &
Pricing Guide
If you are not a member of Costco, try Smart & Final for flour, Veggies & Dip,
Chips, Salsa, Sodas, Beer, etc.
Target sells 52 piece Crayola colored chalk for about $3.00.
Smart & Final sells the following:
20 lbs Ice, $2.99
30 pack of Tecate, $16.99
30 pack of Bud Lite, $15.99
Super Large Bag of Doritos: $3.95
Super Large Bag of BBQ Lays, $2.99
Navy Exchange sells the following:
20 lbs of Ice, $1.99
