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Suggested guidelines for MGH4 hares ( thanks to Whoa Wilber )
1)
Almost every trail will have those that liked it and those that didn’t
(you can’t please all the hounds all the time) but the most important rule is
to Ensure the Pack Makes it to the
BEER!!! [GM's Note - this is not just a
suggestion!!] Hounds like to be entertained by the trail. They like to see what
new tricks the hare has thought up. Some even like to be punished (Tinkerbell
comes to mind) and will not think highly of the trail unless they lose a pint or
so of blood. But everyone hates a trail in which they could not make it to the
beer. Having a well marked trail is always appreciated by everyone. 2)
Getting the beer to the end.
It is the hares responsibility to ensure the beer gets to the end. If a
bimbo is going to be needed, they should make arrangements before the hash. [
GM's Note - this is also not just a suggestion!!] 3)
Length of hash.
Many hounds will disagree on what is too
short, and too long, but I have
found that most like it shorter than longer. If most of the group is done by 1
hour and 10 minutes, few will complain. That would put the FRB’s in at about
50 minutes. 4)
Hashes between May and October can
be very hot! If the runs are
over 45 minutes ( and almost all should be if rule 3 is followed) then there
should be a beverage stop around the 30 to 40 minute mark. I have even resorted
to leaving a cooler on trail before the start of the run and picking it up
after, but most of the time I just tell the bimbo where the beverage stop is
going to be. The hare will even find that having a beverage stop can help give
them a little more time to finish the trail without getting caught. 5) Hares Get a Five Dollar Discount, but they are expected to procure flour and/or toilet paper, or what ever they are going to mark the trail with. 6) Live hares are expected. I know this poses a problem for some who feel they are not fast enough to mark a trail without being caught. To address this concern I propose a change to the MGH4 traditions as follows: [GM' note - "This all sounds great to me for new hares, though I wouldn't plan on any of the faster or more experienced hares getting this kind of treatment... hehehe"] a) Hares get a 12 minute head start plus 2 minutes of walking. ( I already hear the whining, but let me finish) The walking lets the hounds stretch their legs a little to warm them up, thus possibly preventing a muscle pull. By giving the hare almost a 15 minute head start, it allows almost anyone a chance to hare without worrying that they will be unable to ‘LIVE HARE’ for our group. This will enlarge the number of people willing to hare and allow us to always have a live hare. The group can do a hashersize [GM's Note - "Hey, Whoa, I'm not familiar with this term but I assume it is some kind of hasher exercising? Like doing 12oz curls right??] while waiting to start, thus gently getting their hearts ready for the upcoming ordeal. b) If there are 2 hares, they get a 10 minute head start plus 2 minutes walking. c) 3 hares, 7 minutes head start plus 2 walking. d) Over achieving hares (Whoa Wilbur, Tinkerbell, etc.) get an 8 minute head start. They can ask for more, but will likely not get it. ( look at next rule, which would mean no BC’s and no YBF’s unless they were marked live (which would be ridiculous unless there were 2 or more hares). e) The whole trail is expected to be live, pre marking will be dealt with in the circle. [GM's note - " I love having a good, pre-laid YBF so I guess I'll be doing an extra down-down...] f) Hares can plead there case to the group for any exceptions to the head start times. g) Before the hares leave, they will be blessed by the hash master/ religious advisor / GM. h)
One other tradition I have seen is that the previous FRB must down one
beer just prior to the start of the run, which should be enough to slow him down
a little on this one. ( I may be shooting myself with this one, but it seemed
effective in getting FRB’s to mark the trail a little better for the hounds
behind, since they were not in such a hurry to be first one in!)
6.5) All hares should have successfully done their entire trail at least one time prior to actually setting the hash. Pre-marking to find your way through that nasty swamp is totally acceptable. 6.75) Do NOT!!!
be totally dependant upon your GPS to tell you where you need to go. Bad weather
and heavy overhangs - like trees.... Can cause you to lose signal; where you
once had a perfectly good reception one day, you might not the next. Compasses
always work (take the magnet out of your pocket first, stupid). 7)
All hares should have at least 5 hashes under there belts before haring,
unless an experienced hare is assisting. 8)
There should be marking within 100 meters of a check point (40 meters if
it is dark). 9)
Getting snared is much preferable to having a busted trail. (see rule 1
above) 10)
Violations to the above guidelines will be dealt with in the circle and
trail quality will also be judged. Just one reminder, before lambasting a hare,
remember how long it has been since you last hared, if ever! Just haring a
couple of runs will help you appreciate what it takes to be a hare. 11) And remember, HASHING should be FUN.
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