What is hashing?

Hashing is a form of non-competitive running, a bit like hounds and hares. A trail will have been laid by the hare, and at the appointed time the other hashers try to find it by working as a team. Some of the trails will be false so the faster runners will have to run further than the slower ones as they will be checking all the possible routes. You will soon work out the rules.

The trails are generally around 4-5 miles and there will be several (usually 3) hash-halts where we wait and regroup so nobody should get left behind. We run all year round so in the Winter you will need a torch. We meet back at the pub afterwards for refreshments so you might want to bring a change of clothing.

It is often said that there is only one rule in Hashing:
Rule Number 1: There are no rules!

It is true that no two hashes are the same, but this is generally how the Wyre Forest Hash works. The trails are usually laid in flour or sometimes sawdust but when it's snowing the hares have to be more inventive. This is what you might see on the trail:

Spots:
These are what you're looking for. They might be quite small and they might be on the back of trees, posts etc. When you have found four of them you are on the right trail so start counting. You will hear people calling "On-One" "On-Two" as they are checking the trail. Feel free to repeat the call for people behind you. After "On-Four" you will hear "On-On" so follow that direction.

Cross:
These are used to mark the end of a false trail. If you hear "On-Back" called then it's because someone has found one of these.

Check: (Usually a line, sometimes a circle)
This marks a check. The trail could continue in any direction. You will have to check out all possibilities or you could just hang around till someone else does. Checks are never laid on a false trail so you know you are on the right trail at this point. You might hear "On-On Checking" being called.

HH
Hash-Halt. This is where we regroup.

Three spots:
If you see these you are definitely on the right trail so you can start shouting "On-On".

Arrow:
These mark the right direction to go. They are usually used when the trail is not obvious like crossing a main road.

Fish Hook:
A fish hook symbol marks a check-back. You have reached the end of the trail but you were not on a false trail. The trail actually went somewhere else, probably through a subtle gap in the hedge. Go back and find it.

T:
A 'T' symbol denotes that the trail only goes in one direction, downwards when looking at it the right way up. These are usually found at the start of the trail to stop people following it in the wrong direction.

ON-INN
When you see this, you are nearly back at the pub. You should ignore any more marks.