One of the main things that new members need to wrap their head around pretty quickly is the markings on the trail. That is of course if they don't want to have to follow someone else for every one of their runs. There aren't too many to remember and every Hash that I have been to around the world will explain the various trail markings during the "Hare Brief" that is meant to take place before any runs.
But there are not rules with the Hash House Harriers, just suggestions and it is believable that there would be some Hash Kennels located around the world that actually do not explain everything in great detail. If that is the case, this information might come in handy.
"Shrek" asked me to not put his likeness on the internet and I reluctantly complied. That is him holding the sign though! If you encounter a piece of paper with "FT" on it, or FT written on the ground with flour or powder this means "False Trail" and you have been duped into following an incorrect trail. There are global deviations from this such as the following two.
Some places use "BT" meaning Bad Trail but honestly i have never seen this (but i haven't been EVERYWHERE like Johnny Cash.) Some other places will use 2 or 3 lines of chalk / powder / flour to indicate that you are going down the wrong path. When this happens you simply need to turn around and rejoin the trail where you last knew it was true and find where the real trail continues.
PRO TIP: False Trails can at times be easily identified long before they actually happen. If a trail all of a sudden seems to be very clearly marked after a couple of miles of the correct path being a bit hidden, there is a good chance that the Hares are trying to lure you into a trap.
In worst case scenarios, which I have only encountered once, you will reach a "YBF" marker on the ground
The YBF stands for "You've been fucked" which means you have inadvertently followed a VERY LONG false trail and are going to need to backtrack quite a ways. This is rarely used because it is a fantastic way of getting the entire pack lost since it is sort of unclear as to which direction the group should be looking in to find the real trail.
This next one I have never seen used and I think it probably only exists in myth at this point in time.
This is the "Titty check" and the idea at one point was that the men would be required to stop at the TC until a female hash member comes by and shows her, well, you know. If a woman did show up and declines, the men have to remain until a woman complies, or until the entire pack passes you by.
This last one is the favorite among most hashers and this BN simply stands for "Beer Near" and most of the time is a sign that the run is nearly over and the debauchery will soon commence.
This is the main reason why we get together. To socialize and drink beer with like-minded friends and so I speak for a vast majority of hashers when I say that the BN is nearly everyone's favorite trail marker.
Most hashes will in fact tell you all the checks that are going to be used on any particular trail at the beginning, at least this is the way that I feel it should be done and for the most part it is. However, you need to expect the unexpected when you are with the hash because you never know what is going to happen since every single kennel seems to make their own rules....because there are no rules... only suggestions and traditions.
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