Information


"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."   ~Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

So, you're interested in hashing. Maybe it's because you've seen strange flour markings on roads and trails in the area (arrows, circles, and such), or you've noticed a group of people on a Saturday afternoon senselessly running around Beaver Lake or through one of the local neighborhoods. Most likely, it's because a hasher's silver tongue convinced you to consider the sport. In any event, welcome to the Mutha Rucker Hash House Harriers (MRH3). Variously described as "the lunatic fringe of running" and "the drinking club with a running problem," the Hash House Harriers are a worldwide group with hundreds of clubs in the United States, including several in Alabama and about the same number in the Florida Panhandle.

Our premise is simple. A harrier (the hare) lays a trail of flour or biodegradable paper over a course (s)he chooses. The other harriers (the hounds) try to follow that trail to the end where we enjoy munchies and beer (or soft drinks for those disinclined to imbibe). The typical hash is 3-5 miles over hill and dale, through suburbs, woods, malls, et al. The hash isn't a race - no prizes to the swift, and in fact, some of the hounds walk the entire trail. Staying on the trail is the challenge, camaraderie and beverages are the rewards.

If you are interested in reading up on the history of the Hash House Harriers, here is a link to the The Half-Mind Weblog which is not only a great resource for Hash House Harrier History, but a great resource for all hash related topics!

MRH3 usually hashes 2 Saturday afternoons out of the month, plus one nighttime hash either near or on the night when there is a full moon. We also have Drinking Practice (DP) twice a month at one of our favorite area establishments. We have this nice little calender to help everyone keep up with our cummings and goings.

Virgin Hasher = A person who has never hashed before. Really, all you have to do is show up, but below in the "Hash Marks" section you will find information that will give you some information to help understand our lingo, traditions, and what all that toilet paper, chalk, and flour is about.

SO, YOU WANNA HARE?!?


Having hashed with MRH3 a few times, you have undoubtedly dashed home and frantically turned to this section for instruction on how you, too, can join that elite group of hashers known as MRH3 Hares. Well, we're glad you asked, because we're from Mismanagement and we're here to help. Hashing has VERY few rules, but haring has lots of them. If you decide to hare a run, you are taking on the responsibility for the group's fun as a whole. If you follow most of the guidance contained here, you should be able to hare a successful run. Of course, if it doesn't turn out that way, the authors of this guidance will disavow ever having provided you the slightest encouragement.

 

Not to put any undue pressure on you up front, but you should understand that hashers judge each other by their ability to lay good trail probably more than any other characteristic. There is general, abiding respect for hashers who make the effort to hare regularly; about the only thing you can do worse than lay a shitty trail is to not even make the effort. Take it from us, haring is fun and it's at the heart of what hashing is all about. However, don't be misled, it's not as easy as it looks and involves a good bit of work. But since most hashers only set about two trails a year, it's worth putting some time and effort into it.

 

For starters, simply find someone you think it would be fun to hare with and discuss setting a trail together. Failing this, approach the Hare Raiser or GM, who will help you find someone to co-hare with. For your first trail, you MUST work with an experienced hare (trust us on this, ok?). It really doesn't matter that you've attended 50 hashes as a hound.

 

Haring a good trail is simple. Just make sure you have covered your bases in each of these areas: Trail, Beer, Safety, and, most importantly, Fun.

 


TRAIL


Find a co-hare. Before you even search for a trail, find another hasher or two to help you hare. If you are a first-time hare, it is imperative that you find an experienced hare to co-hare with. They can advise you on trail layout and hash logistics. Don't be afraid to ask someone to hare with you who you don't know well. You can make friends quickly through haring together. A total of three hares is the most that you want. The potential for screw ups increases exponentially with the number of hares.

 

Select a trail. Often, it is easiest to find an ending site (the On In) first, then the parking for the start, and connect the two. MRH3 requires a lot of parking space, so please remember that during the initial planning. The On In MUST be a relatively secluded place where the hash can drink unmolested by property owners, police, and other non-hashers. Your GM or Hare Raiser should be well versed where the consumption of alcohol is legal and (more importantly) illegal. Keep in mind that expected weather is rarely what you find on your hare day. Be prepared for the worst, and always have a backup plan. Especially during cold/rainy seasons, indoor or covered On Ins are particularly prized. At any time of season, shelter is appreciated! Remember that non-refundable party room fees (such as are common at apartments and condos) eat into your budget (see below). If you have something REALLY special in mind that might force you over your budget, you must contact the GM several weeks ahead of time for approval or you will not be reimbursed by the hash (thanks for your contribution).

 

It is preferred that the start be within walking distance of the On In, so that people can walk back to their vehicles (referred to as an A-to-A prime run). If this is not possible, plan on providing transportation back to the start (known as an A-to-B run). It is assumed that all trails are dog friendly, unless the hares announce otherwise in their directions.

 

The trail itself should be devious and challenging, but not life-threatening and absolutely not on private property unless permission has been obtained. Land owners will (and have) called the police. Try to find interesting things to run on/through/in like sewers, forests, hills, swamps, creeks, ravines, business parks, public places, etc. Try to avoid stretches of flat blacktop with no checks (aka "death marches") and railroad tracks.

 

Unfortunately, some bad decisions by some of our members regarding public nudity have caused us to be banned from Briarwood West, Courtyard Place, Creekside, Dunwoody, Foxchase, Foxhill Commons, and Wakefield. We may use the streets in these subdivisions/complexes, but only the city streets. Everything else is off limits.

 

D-erections. Ideally two weeks prior to the hash date, you need to provide the start location and simple, clear directions with other information -so that even people with half-a-brain can follow them- to the Hare Raiser or GM so that they can be included in announcements and on the web page. If you're feeling particularly generous, get the lat/long coordinates and send them along with the directions. A tip: unless you are extremely sure about the accuracy of the directions you provide, go out and drive them to make sure that you have the exit numbers, names of streets, route numbers, right/left turns, etc. noted correctly, and that you aren't providing directions the wrong way down one-way streets or through blocked streets due to construction zones. Your hash won't be any fun if no one can finish it because they couldn't find the start!

 

Marking the trail. You must know the MRH3 trail markings before you try and set a trail - this is not a good time to learn on the job. On the day of the run, have enough flour & chalk to handle your trail markings - figure about 1.5 pounds per mile, more if much of the trail is through a lot of shiggy.

 

Mark the trail deviously, but don't make it Mission Impossible. Nothing angers a pack more than encountering an unsolvable check. So plan your checks well. True trail should pick up somewhere within about 100 feet of a check. After three marks, the pack knows that they are on true trail. Vary the location of your marks: alternating sides of the street, on trees, on fence posts, etc. Do not put hare's arrows or checks on false trails. Marks should be about every 100 feet-closer in tall grass or nasty shiggy. Don't change direction unless you use a hare's arrow or a check, or, at a minimum, three quick successive marks of flour. If it's pouring rain when you set trail, make sure you put down tons of marks in areas where they are less likely to get washed away-like the trunks of trees. Also, FYI, flour endures rain OK, chalk evaporates in seconds.

 

The Run. MRH3 is a Live Hare Hash, which means that the hares set the trail before the pack takes off. When you are released at the start, run quickly but don't panic: you have a generous head start on the pack, even if you're the slowest hasher in MRH3. If you're afraid of being caught, plan beforehand with your co-hares to split trail-laying responsibilities so you won't have to run the whole course yourself.

 

If you wish to lay a dead hare (pre laid) trail, feel free to do so, but allocate an hour to mark a 3 mile trail with 2 hares. Be forewarned, there's no excuse for a messed up trail that has been laid dead-hare.

 

Beverages. Hares are responsible for whatever goes to the Beer Near or Shot Check, in terms of coolers, trash bags, and what goes in the coolers. Whatever consumables you purchase will be used, and you'll be reimbursed for them. If you put two coolers out, with a case of beer and a half case of water in each one, and only 10 Hashers show up, never fear. MRH3 will reimburse you what you paid, up to $0.63 per beer - that's a $15 case of beer. Water, soda, and ice will be reimbursed at the actual cost. NOTE: MRH3 does NOT reimburse for beverages, other than beer, soda, and water.

 

Receipts. Hares get reimbursed for their expenses, as shown above, so keep your receipts. It is considered poor form to be a dumb shit, lose your receipts, and expect the Hash to reimburse you. At the very least, it will take longer for you to get your reimbursement. It is best to have your receipts available and totaled the day of your run. Handing the a wad of cash register receipts that aren't totaled or that contain your groceries for the week is not really smart since it is unlikely that the anyone will be carrying a calculator to the hash, and if you think that the GM can add correctly, well, you deserve whatever you get. If you are to be paid by check, you might also want to write down your nerd name. Having to explain to your banker that you really are the very same "Cum Sucking Road Whore" listed as payee on the check might be an interesting experience, but it probably won't improve your bank balance.

 


SAFETY


This paragraph contains absolutely no bullshit...so listen up. Hares are responsible for reasonable safety considerations on trail. The most dangerous hashing areas are major roadways and railroad tracks. If you have to cross a big road, do it at a light/crosswalk and mark it clearly. Avoid blind curves, hills, etc. Keep off of live railroad tracks unless there is a large enough shoulder on the side to safely accommodate large groups of hashers in the event a train comes by. Do not have the pack blindingly running around highways and high speed tracks trying to solve some stupid check. You also need to carefully check the trail beforehand to make certain that creeks haven't risen over their banks, no areas are washed out, etc. and for barbed wire-type hazards in the woods, and for debris or jagged metal in creekbeds or storm sewers. Splitting some wanker's head open on a piece of angle iron protruding from the roof of a dark tunnel would put a damper on your hash, to say the least.

Mismanagement


Below are the members of our mismanagement team
If you ever have a question or problem, mismanagement can be contacted on here or at the hashes to help you out the best they can.

BUTTler

Grand Master (GM)

He is the head of the Hash. Presides over the opening of the circle at trail's end. Capable of telling hundreds of hashing anecdotes all starting something like this: "when I was hashing in Antarctica, we stopped at this pub and blah, blah, blah" Also makes random and arbitrary decisions about hash activities that everyone ends up ignoring.

CPR

Religious Advisor (RA)

The person who "blesses" the hares, "hushes" the hash, and "punishes" members of the pack for trail crimes in the circle after each trail. So pretty much a control freak! Pretends to know several hashing songs, and up to ten words in English. Loves the feel of a strong motor vibrating between her legs.

Miss T

Ha$h Ca$h

Collector of the cash that the pack gives before each and every run to buy the beer and munchies. Doles out said cash to the Beermeister, Snackmeister, and others in mismanagement for expenses as applicable while at the same time keeping the hash from going totally broke. Documents the hashers in the pack so we know who got lost at the end of the trail.

Hose At The Ready

Beermeister

Bearer of the amber nectar. Provides love, warmth, and thirst quenching refreshment to each and every hash. Must have a vehicle with large cargo capacity and good shock absorbers to prevent undue foam-age. Certainly, "We're not worthy, we're not worthy"!

Going Down For Head

Beermeister

Bearer of the amber nectar. Provides love, warmth, and thirst quenching refreshment to each and every hash. Must have a vehicle with large cargo capacity and good shock absorbers to prevent undue foam-age. Certainly, "We're not worthy, we're not worthy"!

Cock Chaser

Hare Raiser

She is not only know for chasing cocks around, but also chasing down unsuspecting hashers and conviencing them to hare a trail. If you are interested in haring a trail she's the woman to contact.

Cougarbate

Assistant Hare Raiser

Assist Cock Chaser by being an undercover agitator who seeks out hashers (usually after they've had a few drinks) and signs them up for haring future runs. Will interpret even the most lukewarm response to such inquiries as a "yes"

Beaver Cleaver

Web Mistress

Doing as little as possible while still being considered mismanagement! Handles all the web site crap while dressed in her latex and stilettos, and will promptly punish anyone who criticizes this site! Helps get the word out to other kennels about furture hashes and events.

Fireball Double Tap

Hashberdasher

Provides hash attire and hash accessories to the pack. Able to create humorous and long lasting shirts, shorts, hats, and drinking vessels out of thin air (for a small price).

Trim Job

Hashberdasher

Provides hash attire and hash accessories to the pack. Able to create humorous and long lasting shirts, shorts, hats, and drinking vessels out of thin air (for a small price).

Train Bang

Utility MM

Utility MM??? Just means we get to line up and use (but not abuse) Train Bang where we need her help the most! She is always willing to help! All aboard!

Depends On Me

Member-At-Large(GM)

Makes some pretty awesome neckgear and always ready to help wherever needed. We love DOM!

Hash Markings


Below is information on hash marks you will come across during trail, whistle guide, shiggy levels, hashing violations, HEINOUS violations, facebook guidelines, and things not to forget to bring to trail. Hover over each picture below to get more detailed information on each hash mark or topic. If viewing on a mobile device, you may have to click on each picture instead of hovering over it.

Hash

Click view for details.

View

Hare Arrow

Click view for details.

View

Intersection

Click view for details.

View

True Trail

Click view for details.

View

False Trail

Click view for details.

View

Beer Near

Click view for details.

View

Shot Near

Click view for details.

View

Whichy Way

Click view for details.

View

Clothing Exchange

Click view for details.

View

Song Check

Click view for details.

View

Turkey Eagle Split

Click view for details.

View

Check Back

Click view for details.

View

BVC
BVFC

Click view for details.

View

YBF

Click view for details.

View

ON-IN

Click view for details.

View

Whistle Guide

Click view for details.

View

What is Shiggy

Click view for details.

View

Shiggy Level 1

Click view for details.

View

Shiggy Level 2

Click view for details.

View

Shiggy Level 3

Click view for details.

View

Shiggy Level 4

Click view for details.

View

Shiggy Level 5

Click view for details.

View

Hashing Violations

Click view for details.

View

HEINOUS Violations

Click view for details.

View

Facebook Guidelines

Click view for details.

View

Don't Forget

Click view for details.

View

Hashing Terminology

Click view for details.

View

More Hashing Terms

Click view for details.

View

Contact Us


If you have any questions or problems, please contact mismanagement by submitting the form below, or by emailing us here.    Happy Hashing!