An Introduction to Hashing in Vermont
What the heck is hashing? I get this question all of the time. From friends, from family, from messages I get as the admin of our Meetup group, the list goes on…
Even though “hashing” and the better-known official name, “The Hash House Harriers” have been around for more than 80 years, it still very much remains an enigma. While some of my fellow hashers may say, “well that’s the point, let’s keep it that way” I don’t necessarily agree.
And so today I’m going to tell you (almost) everything you need to know about the world of hashing—so if you’re new to hashing or thinking about giving hashing a try, you have a starting point.
So… what is hashing?
What do you get when you combine running (or walking), a combination scavenger hunt/hare & hound game, silly songs, inappropriate jokes, kilts, and beer?
Meet the Hash House Harriers, a drinking club with a running problem.
Chances are you’ve seen us or heard of hashers already, and simply didn’t realize it. Perhaps you were enjoying lunch with a friend at a pub on Church St in Burlington when a group of people clad in tall socks and bright clothing (probably kilts) enthusiastically went running by yelling. Or maybe it was when you were walking along and stumbled upon the letters “BN” written on the asphalt in chalk or flour.
The Hash House Harriers are an underground, alternative, worldwide “running” club (sometimes the term running is used very loosely) with a rich history dating back over 80 years. And if you like running in random places, post-run beers (with a pre-and/or-during-run beer too), and laughing both at yourself and with your friends (whose real-life names you may or may not know)…the Hash House Harriers might be right for you.
How did hashing become a thing?
Hashing originated in December of 1938 in Kuala Lumpur (then the Federated Malay States, now Malaysia) as a Monday night group run, created by a group of British colonial officers This run was designed after the traditional British Paper Chase or “hare and hounds” game, was designed as a way for the officer to “rid themselves of the excesses of the previous weekend”.
In other words, they were trying to outrun their hangovers. The game’s new moniker came from the “Hash House,” which was the name of the house where the soldiers stayed and where they ate corned beef for dinner night after night.
The founding member of the group was sadly killed in the war, but many of the others got back together in 1946 and laid out a set of rules. According to NPR, their main goals were:
To promote physical fitness among members
To get rid of weekend hangovers
To work up a good thirst and satisfy it in beer
To persuade older members of the group that they aren’t as old as they feel
More and more people began to join the group, and in 1962, it began expanding worldwide. Today, there are thousands of Hash House Harriers (“the drinking club with a running problem”) chapters around the world. The game appeals to travelers because it’s a great way to get off the beaten path and explore a new area—and the promise of alcohol before, during, and after the run doesn’t hurt, either.
So how does hashing work?
At the start of the game, one person (or two) is designated the “hare” and everyone else in the group are the “hounds”. The hare(s) starts off ahead of everyone else leaving behind a trail of flour or chalk which represents the mark of the hare. The rest of the group referred to as the “pack” then goes and follows the hares marks in search of beer and merriment.
Hashing is basically just like a Scavenger Hunt…with a few twists.
The way hashing works is pretty much the SAME everywhere you go. All hashing groups (or “kennels” as we call them) use the same format you’re about to read. Think of it as ritual. Hashing involves these six steps. Every time. Anywhere you go.
STEP ONE: HARES AWAY!
The hares go on their merry way. Their job is to make a literal trail through the woods, streets, shiggy (this is the hash term for mud/swamp/brairs) etc. typically using flour or chalk and predetermined marks (otherwise known as “hash”) for the pack to eventually follow.
STEP TWO: CIRCLE UP!
At the beginning of a hash run, otherwise known as a “trail”, the pack (all of the hashers that show up that day) will meet at a designated location and starting time pre-determined by the kennel (essentially, the hashers version of a running club), and will start with opening circle.
To find Von Tramp’s starting locations, we post our trails on our website, Facebook, and Meetup groups, so you’ll always know where to find us.
Opening circle is a ceremony of sorts led by the kennel’s religious advisor (RA).
Before we go any further, please know that hashing is anything but religious…though we do sing our own version of hymns, and one of them is, in fact, about Jesus. But I digress.
Opening circle usually begins with introductions by each hasher in the circle.
STEP THREE: CHALK TALK
Once the hares take off, the rest of the pack sticks behind to give the hares a bit of a head start. This time is filled with what is known as “chalk talk”. The RA will explain what all of the hash marks that will be seen on the trail on that particular day mean. Hash marks are typically made with flour and/or chalk.
Depending on the kennel, there may be some absolutely ridiculous “warm up” songs and exercises, to ensure the pack of hounds are thoroughly ready to go.
Have I mentioned yet that there’s endless singing in hashing? Because there is. Every time you turn around, someone is singing a song, and usually, they’re the kind of songs that’ll make you blush.
PARENTAL ADVISORY WARNING
This is part where I should probably tell you that while some kennels are what we would call “PG”, many others, and much of hashing, are more in the “Rated R” category. The songs, while hilarious, are often dirty “adult”. The jokes are crude, the kind you would never tell in front of your mother…unless of course, she’s a hasher.
And chances are you may end up seeing more skin than you bargained for (wear your sunglasses because pale butt cheeks are often blinding).
STEP FOUR: ON-OUT!
After the 15 (or so) minute lead start, the pack takes off to follow the pre-marked trail, with the intention of trying to “catch” the hares before the end of the run.
When a Hasher finds a mark, they yell “On-one” indicating the first hash mark has been found, and the pack keeps searching. “On-two”: comes next when the second mark is found. And finally, after three hash marks in a row, “On-on”: signals that you are, in theory, on the correct path.
However, the trail is not straightforward. There are false marks, dead ends, and tons of other “checkpoints” that involve things like singing, notifying beer and other adult beverages are hidden nearby (the infamous “Beer Near” check), and various other possibilities depending on the particular “kennel” and what sort of shenanigans they’ve come up with. Hares will purposefully drag you through the most ridiculous, anything-but-direct, routes, both for fun and to slow you down.
The purpose of these checkpoints is to slow the pack down, and hopefully prevent them from catching up with the hares.
And out there on the trail, you will see kilts, learn hasher names (typically earned and/or given after a certain number of trails, or some particularly worthy incident), hear whistles, laugh at the sayings on shiggy socks, and see/hear/learn so many things I could tell you, but I’m certain you simply wouldn’t believe until you see it with your own eyes. And I’ve probably already told you too much anyway…
STEP FIVE: CLOSING CIRCLE
The hash running trail culminates with closing circle, eerily similar to opening circle. But this time, the RA will lead the group in making accusations of infractions made on trail, airing grievances of how well the hares laid the trail…and of course, more singing and some more drinking in the form of “down-down’s (your “penalty” for aforementioned infractions).
STEP SIX: ON-AFTER
Last but not least comes the “On-After”, which varies from kennel to kennel. But, much like a “regular” group run may finish off their run with some drinks and food at a bar, the Hash House Harriers will too. After closing circle, the group may head to a local watering hole, or maybe even someone’s house, for what is known as the “on-after”, a chance to refuel and rehydrate (or, continue hydrating or imbibing, as it may be.)
But wait, do I have to run?
Not a runner? Not a problem!
A typically Hash House Harrier kennel consists of hashers of all ages (21+) and fitness levels, with both runners and those who prefer to walk every. single. step. In fact, part of the purpose of the aforementioned “false checks” and other check points is to help keep the pack together, allowing time for the walkers to catch up with the runners.
How do I find a hash house harriers kennel near me in Vermont?
As mentioned, as an “underground phenomenon,” hashers aren’t necessarily advertising their kennels on billboards, but you’ve come to the right place.
In Vermont, we have the Von Tramp Hash House Harriers (VTH3) and we LOVE telling people about our kennel.
Insert ten second history!
The Von Tramp Hash House Harriers (VTH3) was founded in 2021 by two thirsty hashers who did not want to stop hashing during winter in Vermont when other kennels go into winter hibernation. So with a quick rip off of a local brewery's name and logo, Von Tramp was born and has been going one year strong!
While we are primarily a winter kennel and run every other Saturday during winter (November-April), we continue hashing year round in summer too on the first Saturday of the month (May-October). You can join us on Saturdays by seeing when all of our upcoming trails are happening on our website. You can also join us on Facebook and/or Meetup to get notifications about upcoming trails and events.
And yes, we were also that weird group recently featured in the Burlington Free Press. We’re famous and kind of sort of maybe legit.
One final note (Can I get a note please?)
So there you have it. Hashing in a nutshell. Everything you need to know if you want to give hashing with us in Vermont a try. Since we primarily hash in winter you can also read our How to Dress and Layer for Winter Hashing in Vermont post with tips and tricks on how to stay warm (but not too warm!) in winter.
With a newish year upon us, I hope to see some new and familiar friends during the year ahead.
On-On friends,
69 Sided Dice 🎲
