Trail
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n
Overview
Trails should take into consideration the skill level of the attendees and should generally try to provide for all levels. A fast runner should be able to follow trail easily to keep up their speed and get a good work out. The slower hashers should be able catch up, by trails end, through the proper use of doo loops, checks, hash halts, eagle / turkey split trails, short cuts, or even a map handed out to the known slow members so they can find the end quicker.
Length of
Trail
The length of the trail depends upon the what day of the week it is and the general skill level of the hash. For weekday hashes, the pack should start following trail around 7:30 PMish and the last person to finish should finish by about 8:30 PM. This is so there will be time for a circle afterwards, so the on after bar will still have food, and so people can still get home and get to bed at a decent hour, so they can get up and go to work the next day. Sky is the limit on daytime weekend trail depending upon the general consensus of the hash. Short, slow hashes should be 2-3 miles in length (1 hour). Medium hashes should be 3-4 miles long (1 ½ hours). Long, fast hashes should be 5 to 6 miles, or more in length (2+ hours). But it really depends upon the hash.
A to B vs. A to A Trails
A to A trails are trails that starts and end at the same location. A to B trails are trails that end at a different location that from where they started. If the hare chooses to set an A to B trail he/she is responsible for ensuring that beverages, chips and everyone's junk (jackets, wallets, purses, condoms, etc.) gets moved from A to B. The hare is likewise responsible for ensuring that transportation is provided back from B to A, so that nobody has to walk back to their cars afterwards. This can generally be accomplished by asking someone in advance to act as a delivery person and chauffeur. The advantage in choosing an A to B trail is that it pretty much forces the pack to follow trail. A to A trails are a lot simpler, but, as aforementioned, hashers have a tendency to cheat on them, I know I do, especially if I get too far behind, or if I just become lazy. If you do choose to lay an A to A trail, recommend you keep it secret and don't advertise it as such. Probably the most preferred method is an A to B trail, where B is close enough to A, so that transportation is not a problem. A variety of trails is probably the best of all to keep pack guessing.
Trail Markings
Markings to be used on trail are determined by the hare. The hare is responsible for ensuring that the markings to be used, along with any other special instructions, are briefed just prior to the start of the actual run. This briefing is commonly referred to as a "chalk talk." The following are some possible examples of commonly used markings and what they stand for. Hash. Hash markings consist of individual splotches of baking flour, or other easily recognizable substance that can be used to mark a trail. Hash markings should be laid very, very often in hard to see areas like grass, dirt, rocks (known as shiggy) and not so often on flat easy to see areas like sidewalks, roads, parking lots, etc. Some hares choose to lay hash markings in wide open view to the pack, so it is very easy to follow. Others hares have a tendency to hide it behind telephone poles, rocks, ridges, etc., to make it more difficult to follow. Easy to follow trails will generally please the faster runners because they can get a better work out and go faster. Concealed hash marks tend to slow the pack down, but do not necessarily allow the slower runners to catch up. If faster runners get so far ahead that they become out of sight of the slower runners, a hard to follow trail can sometimes spread the pack out even further because then the slower runners have to rediscover all the hash marks for themselves. For this reason, easy to follow trails are usually best. The strategic placement of checks, which will be discussed later, are the more preferred method of trying to keep the pack together. A variety of easy and hard to find hash marks probably works best. The most important thing to remember when laying hash marks, is to mark all turns with some sort of an arrow, or a check. When hash is discovered the hasher should either yell "hash" or toot once on their signaling device (whistle, horn, etc.) to alert the rest of the pack.
ON ON. Designated by the letters "ON ON." Means you are on true trail. If the letters read "NO NO" you are on true trail but you are going backwards. When ON ON markings are discovered, the hasher should either yell "On On" or give two toots on their signaling device. Anytime you give two toots on your signaling device, its like saying On On, meaning you are on true trail. Hare Arrows. A hare arrow is a straight or curved line with an upside down "V" on it pointing in the direction that the trail goes. An arrow indicates which way the current trail goes, but not necessarily true trail. A hare arrow means the same thing as a hash mark, plus it points you in the direction of the next hash mark. Arrows should always be used when a trail turns, unless there are so many hash marks that the turn is obvious, or if the trail is following a path or road . When a hare arrow is discovered the hasher should either yell "hare arrow" or toot once on their signaling device. When you toot once on your signaling device its like saying "hash", or "I'm finding trail, but it might not be true trail." True Trail Arrows. Designated by a straight or curved line with an upside down "V" on one end pointing in the direction true trail goes. At the other end of the arrow are three perpendicular lines centered on the arrow stem. When true trail arrows are discovered the hasher should either yell "On On" or give two toots on their signaling device, meaning "On On, or, true trail".
Checks. Designated by a circle with an X in it, or by four dots making a square. A check means that true trail may have turned in any direction, but you were definitely on true trail up to this point. Upon passing a check you may find one or more false trails. If there is a number outside the check symbol, it indicates which number check, in chronological order, you are at. There should normally be some sort of a check about every 1/4 mile. Checks help keep the pack together because the faster runners are the ones who will discover them first and have to scout out true trail. This means they have to cover more distance, thus allowing the slower runners to catch up. When false trails are discovered, they must be marked as such, back at the check. If false trails are not marked, the pack may become even more spread out than before, which defeats the purpose of placing checks and false trails along the trail. When a check is found, the hasher should yell "checking" or give two toots on their signaling device, meaning On On or "I was on true trail, and now I'm checking for true trail beyond the check". Even though you may not know where true trail is after the check, the check itself means the trail previous to that was true trail and that's why you should give two toots.
Ladies Check. A circle with a dot in the center of it, or four dots making a square plus one dot in the middle (like a five on a pair of dice. Means the pack must at least wait until the first lady arrives and attempts to solve the check. A little discretion may be applied, depending if the lady is hustling or not. Ladies may also persuade gentlemen to solve the check for them by giving them some sort of reward for their effort.
Holding Checks.
Designated by a circle with an X in it and the letters HC or HH for Hash Hold, or Hash
Halt on top of it. A holding checks means you cannot proceed until either a dead hare, or
a trusted agent (hound with limited information given by the hares), tells you to proceed.
Normally you will not be permitted to proceed until you accomplish some sort of task, like
singing a song, playing a game or some other kind of delaying activity used to allow the
slower runners to catch up. A holding check also means you were definitely on true trail
up to this point. When a holding check is found, the hasher should yell "Holding
Check" or give two toots on their signaling device.
Hash Note. Designated by the letters "HN" This means there is a hash note
hidden somewhere nearby. The note will normally tell the pack to accomplish some foolish
time consuming function to allow slower pack members to catch up. A dead hare, or trusted
agent, will usually show up soon to give further instructions about the trail. A hash note
also means you were definitely on true trail up to this point. When a hash note is found,
the hasher should either yell "On On", "Hash Note", or give two toots
on their signaling device.
False Trails. Designated by three parallel lines, three dots, perpendicular to the trail, or by the letters "FT" for false trail or "BT" for bad trail. Normally a false trail will be no longer than three hash marks, or about 1/8 of a mile. However, if the false trail is through shiggy terrain, more than three hash marks may be used to keep you from getting lost. A false trail can also be determined when there are no more hash marks in that direction. If this occurs, the hare probably just forgot to mark it, so go back to the check and mark it yourself. When a false trail is found the hasher usually says something like "oh sh*t" or "ah f**k, which is self-explanatory. Signaling devices should not be used to indicate false trails. The hasher that discovers a false trail should return to the last check and mark that direction as false trail.
Check Back. Designate
by a circle with a number in it. This means go back X number of hash marks and search for
true trail in some other direction leading away from that hash mark. False trails should
likewise be marked at the designated back check hash mark by the discovering hasher. When
a back check is discovered the hasher should yell "check back X", where X is the
number of hash marks to check back. No signaling devices should be used.
Two Dotter. Two dots perpendicular to the trail. Indicates
that the trail has changed direction somewhere between the two dots and the last hash
mark. Beverage Checks Designated by a circle with the letters "BC" in it.
Means you are at a beverage stop and a check, look for a cooler full of beverage, quench
your thirst and then start checking for true trail again. A beverage check, or stop, also
means you were definitely on true trail up to this point. When a beverage check is found,
the hasher should either yell "On On" or "Checking" depending whether
they are drinking or checking for true trail. Two toots on their signaling device will
also surfice.
Which Way. Designated by two connecting arrows pointing in two different
directions. Like a check, but there are only two possible directions to take. At least one
of the directions is true trail, but both may be true trail too. A "which way"
also means you were definitely on true trail up to this point. When a which way is found,
the hasher should either yell "Checking" or give two toots on their signaling
device.
Bear Near.
Designated
by the words "Beer Near", or initionals "BN". Beer Near normally
means you are within about 1/4 of a mile of the end and there are no more checks, false
trails, etc., just true trail here On-In. ON-IN. Designated by the words
"On-In" or On-On-In, or On-Home. Means you have arrived at the end.
Note:
The above are just examples. The hare may use some, all, or none of these symbols.
Whatever the hare briefs during the chalk talk takes precedence over these examples.
Live Hare Trails
When the hare(s) indicate(s) that a trail is to be a "live hare trail" it generally means that the entire trail will not be preset in advance of hares away time. However, realize that it is extremely difficult for only one hare to set an entire trail, including markings and false trails, etc., without getting caught. Therefore the hare should either be very, very fast, very very smart, very very experienced and do some very detailed preplanning, or get at least one other hasher to assist him/her. Most solo live hare trails are in fact semi-live hare trails. Semi-live hare trails is when presetting of symbols, false trails, and placement of beverages enroute, etc., are preset before the show time for a run. The only part that is really set live is the actual true trail. Then there are those who only set a live hare trail to a point where they become out of sight to the pack. The rest, if not all of the trail, is preset before the advertised show time of the run. The previous two methods are pretty much acceptable. This method is not. If caught presetting this kind of trail, the hare can generally expect to do massive down downs later in the circle. But then again, there are no rules, just traditions. So, do what ever you need to do to set the best possible trail you can. Just don't set a bad trail because you are are slow; and whatever you do, don't get caught. Keep in mind that the purpose of which ways, checks, and false trails, etc., is not to slow down the pack to keep them from catching the hare, but to keep the pack together so that the slower hashers and the faster hashers all arrive at the end at about the same time. In other words, to stifle competition and to keep the hash from turning into a race. For live hare trails the hares designate a specific lead time required to get out of sight and supposedly start setting trail. The lead time is normally somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes, as determined by the hare(s). If you set a live trail you need to either need to provide alternate routes on trail for slow people, or provide a map to a trusted person (sweeper) who will be following trail and will stay back with the slow folks. It is also advisable to provide alternate routes around wet areas for those who really don't like to get wet!
Conclusion
Whichever kind of trail is chosen, A to B, A to A, live, semi-live, Dead, etc., its up to the hare(s)--as Its their show, except for the circle, then its our turn to get back at them for not following these mucked up directions. Oh yea; Never admit to setting an A to A trail, as it takes the incentive out of following it.
How to Volunteer to set a trail
If you want to volunteer to set a trail for the Jolly Roger H3 then contact Dabadoo by e-mail at dab@jollyrogerh3.com or call 813-495-5367.