Auld Lang Mountain Hash

Run #1187, Dec 28, 2008

Hare:  Dr W.H.O.

Location:  Old Mountain Park, Wakefield .

Weather:  Low 50’s, cloudy with lifting fog .

Present:   : Wee Balls, Florence Wallbanger, Basket Boom Boom, Donkey Punch, Pubic Housing, Cumsocket To Me, Crack-Her-Toe-ah, Sloppy Rod, Oozing SD, Dogmeat, Tinker.

The Run:

For the New Years Hash, the hare had been promised a deal on beer if the On On On were to be held at the Mews Tavern. Always one to take advantage of free beer, he planned accordingly, and set yet another brilliant virgin territory run at Old Mountain Park in South Kingston. The 2 PM start time assured good attendance, and the far south location assured no Bondo! What could be better? How about a champagne check as well as a beer check, to celebrate the season!

The trail started by the tennis courts at the entrance to the park. Heading east, a few checks were easily dealt with, as they climbed Old Mountain, and then headed down to the north bank of the Indian Run Reservoir. Only Basket decided to cross the ramshackle bridge at the head of the pond. The rest found true trail heading back uphill. Basket encountered the latecummer Oozing. He turned back. Tinker and Dogmeat tried a shortcut at the other end of the pond. No luck there, either.

Trail led up to a bike path, and continued east into some playing fields. A long “trombone” check had Sloppy Rod and Flobanger heading the wrong way on some powerlines. Basket unfortunately rejoined the group and ran around aimlessly through the ball fields. Cumsocket To Me followed the hare as he turned south on the powerlines. She and Crack-her-toe-ah led the pack through an overgrown and very thorny path to the river. There was some residual ice, but not enough to keep the feet dry. The hare showed the way, straight across. Basket found another route where a fallen tree provided some relief from the cold water. But one had to traverse 20 yds of freezing mud-pools to get there.

Trail continued east along a stone wall. An arrow turned the pack north, back to the river. Again, two choices: straight across, up to the knees, or across on the stone wall, through dense briars. Most chose wisely. They came up to the fields they had left just before, and a “C” check. The champagne was found, and opened. A few songs were sung, and the hare tried to make something of “Should Basket Boom Boom be forgot”. Didn’t get too far with that.

After the bubbly was gone, the hare directed them back the way they came. Another river crossing! Fantastic! Incredible! Trail crossed the stonewall heading south. They came out into a new development with no houses yet built. Trail was found turning west along the retention ponds. It then turned back into the woods, following the muddiest available route back to the powerlines. After a short distance southwest on the lines, they came upon Oozing, searching for beer. He was standing right next to it, and still missed it. The BC was in the woods next to a makeshift tent with a soaked mattress, and other amenities such as a collapsing chair which Oozing seemed to be fond of. The usual fine beers and snacks were broken out, and songs were sung.

After frightening some 14 year-olds who had been out for a smoke in the woods, the group gathered and tried to find the trail back. A nice, well-marked path had been set, but Basket was enamored by the tilted bridge he had encountered before. So most simply crossed over (with a few near misses on the slippery structure) and turned west back to the park and the cars. The circle was held just inside the woods above the tennis courts.

The run was rated. Virgin territory, 4 bimbos, no Bondo,  multiple river crossings, and briars. No one could think of anything bad to say. So the hare received a -6.9! Hashit was given to Basket, for finding Oozing. They finished up and reconvened at the Mews, where they were greeted by Just Katie. Some food and beer were brought out. Some singing began. A football watching patron didn’t like the songs during the game. Let's face it. He really didn't like Flobanger. Flobanger and he came close to making this a perfect afternoon by getting everyone thrown out before paying, but he was restrained by Wee Balls. You can’t have everything.

On On