Shakesbeer has been out of the loop for some time. We are pleased that he has the courage to volunteer to set the trail. The location was Joyce on Fourth, an Irish type pub in the beltline. They have a room in the basement suitable for hosting the group.
Apparently, hashers arrived and gathered at the pub. Some of us were late due to the Mission bridge construction and subsequent detour.
Not too much for pictures prior to the run, but here is a picture of the pub in warm weather and daylight.
The Pub looks like this in the warm weather
A couple of photos of the walkers and the marks were provided as evidence that the circle took place.
Walkers getting ready The marksVinnie in anticipation
The Trail
Being a bit behind the pack, some of us had to find the pack and join the run. Eventually, the headlights of the pack were sighted and the run was afoot.
With the melting conditions, the pathways were wet and icy. Challenging traction for those without spikes. Careful footing was the key.
Trail this wayHot Quickie and Slow ClapHardly heading this wayReflective outfitsSlow Clap making sureFollow the headlightReturning from a false trailCivilization aheadPMS done playing
Some parks were scattered along the way, and playing was encouraged!
Hump, Insane and Hot Quickie
PMS starting slowlyBacchanal masters slidingAs fast as she could go!
More trail was discovered and we were treated to a viewpoint.
Trail this wayCity ViewVPDown stairs
Some sort of group activity involving four people!
Thankfully, the regroup was near and we found the refreshments.
The regroup provided an opportunity to collect the group and score some pictures, missed from the circle.
KK, Bacchanal, LL and OPPLL, Insane Bolt and PMSBooty CampHump the SharkHardly and TwistyShakesbeerKing ShitFog Horny and Comes and GoesOn In and DastardlyMmmm Lady Fingers, Camshaft and Roaring NanySlow ClapShakesbeer and Hot QuickieBacchanal and Karate Klit
With refreshments done, off to the pub for the Down Down’s
The Down Down’s
Off to the Joyce on Forth pub, to our room in the basement. Beer specials and food specials were available so…. a lot of eating and drinking.
Head tableKids tableOther tableMouth wateringGood beer!
Hump the Shark was religious advisor, the down down beer was procured and the ceremonies were ready to start.
Hump making up storiesBeer getting ready
Hump the Shark ready to go!
A choir was selected, Camshaft and Mmmmm Lady Fingers. As they have been vacationing in warmer countries, time for some choir action.
Choir looking through the on-line songbook!
Down down’s for the choir and the hares. A procession of other crimes were tabled and down down’s were consumed.
Shakesbeer – the Hare!KK and OPP.Insane Bolt – Hash DogLL looses the Onesie of ShameNo problemsInsane Bolt assesses the dampness of the garmentLooks good on InsaneLazy CummerDastardlyKing ShitSlow Clap with the theme shirtOPP bonding with her hash shitOPP tries on the theme shirt! Seems happy?Bacchanal and PMS – racistsSnow BlowerLLInsane BoltHump and ScoobieComes and Goes with Fog HornyBacchanalAnother theme shirt model!LLKK
With all done, we were declared “on the piss”.
Scribed by Skewbic Hair.
Trail Summary
We were on trail for some 5+ kms with great marks and epic views.
Calgary has had a bit of a cold spell for the last 10 days of so. With temperatures in the -25 C range plus windchill, it makes for a chilly outdoor experience. At least the sun was out for the afternoon run, making a considerable difference.
The lead up to the run included encouragement to dress up in layers and do not be a wimp. As such, we had 17 hashers come out and enjoy the fine trail set by PMS and Liquor Lots.
We arrived at Two Pillars Brewing to start the run. Once parked, we circled up “outside”.
Sunny but cold…DastardlyPMSInsane BoltShakesbeerStrap On Crampon and Booty CampSnow BlowerBooty Camp in disguiseRoaring NancyLazy CummerKing ShitHardly and TwistyHump the SharkKarate Klit
PMS was called into the circle to describe the marks she had chosen for the trail today.
I am the hareFlagging like thisFollow thisAs the shadow says, these are the marks! VP’s a plenty!
With the instructions complete, the pack was released to find the trail.
The Trail
Off toward the river we ran. Not wanting to give up the high ground, the neighbourhoods revealed the marks to follow.
ColourfulClear sidewalksLocal featuresHardy plantsHardly and Roaring Nancy!
Of course there were sights to be seen and parks to play in.
Some sort of expensive urban art. Does not seem to mind the cold.
Shoe laces need workSwingersLike this!
This would be a city view. Frosty!
Down these stairsStrap On makes an entry into the community journalChances of a false trail at the bottom?Miniature Calgary tower
The lion greets us!
Park in ChinatownKC shows her kicking styleEau Claire under deconstruction
No more Eau Claire Market!
Off through Princes Island Park over to the Peace Bridge to return to the North side of the rver.
City View from Princes IslandTall person marked this “H”A parkKC learning to flyPeace BridgeRoaring NancyShakesbeerScoobieKarate Klit
The community provided some interesting ice sculptures. These were very popular with the the tactile folks in the group.
Waiting for the Chinook!
Eventually, we had to climb the massive hill to get to the top of Crescent Heights where we were greeted with a significant wind to freeze us to death.
Can not see the windCity view from Crescent Heights
Apparently there was a downhill and uphill section that some of the enthusiastic hashers took. Others preferred the flat elevation to the regroup.
Nothing like a cold refreshment on a cold day! Hot chocolate was available as well!
Off to the bar to warm up and conduct the down down’s.
Down Down’s
The Two Pillars Brewery was a bit small, but that did not stop us from finding space and running through our down down program.
Hashers socializingThe kids table
Hump the Shark was Religious Advisor (RA) for the afternoon festivities. A choir was called and the down down’s commenced!
Hump the Shark – RASnow Blower and Strap On Crampon – Choir
The hares were called up and acknowledged for the fine trail that had been set on this cold and frosty day.
We are number 1 hares!Sing us a song!
More crimes and punishment were handed out by the RA. The Hash Shit has a new owner, and many offences were acknowledged.
KK – It was this cold!Hardly Shakesbeer and the hash shitOn InBooty Camp tests her seal skin mittens
There was some group activity which warranted down down’s.
PMS, LL and LCPMSLCDastardlyTwistyHash Shit turnover
Old guys rule
PMS demonstrates her flotation devices
On the Piss
After the down down’s, the group continued with mirth and merriment, and yummy beer from Two Pillars Brewery.
Scribed by Skewbic Hair
The Trail
A fine trail of 6 – 7 kms was enjoyed by the group. Pleased we had sunshine and a warm pub for afterwards.
Thankfully, Karate Klit saved the hash with volunteering to set the trail for February 10, 2025. There was a time when KK lived on the west edge of town. As the city expands west, new neighbourhoods are sprouting up all over the place.
The ring road makes these places accessible! So, off we go to Original Joe’s in Aspen Landing Shopping Centre to prepare for the run. The pub was set up for a reservation and we had a spot in the back!
Ready to goNot sure who Tammy is, but we had a spot in the pub
After some last minute beer spotting for the regroup beer, the pack was summoned outside to circle up.
Strap On CramponInsane BoltSlow Clap and Shakes BeerRoaring NancyHardlyKing Shit and TwistyPrincess Monkey SpankerLiquor Lots and Lazy CummerHump the Shark and DastardlyKarate KlitBlue BallsInsane Bolt gets the circle startedAnnouncements and introductions
With Insane Bolt in charge, he summoned Karate Klit to the circle to explain the marks to the pack.
Some of theseSome of those
Quite a few marks, and some riddles!
With description of the flagging used, the pack was released to the nether regions of Aspen Landing.
The Trail
Off we went through the shopping centre. A set of stairs lead down the the pond and pathway. From there, we were off in the oblivion of the new neighbourhoods.
Pathway by the shopping centreRoaring on trailEvidence of a markShoelace adjustmentOff and running!
New building was happening. As such, construction material and no streetlights were a feature.
New neighbourhoods
New building where there once was nothing! Dark streetlights….
Sales office open!Minimalistic parkPMS masters balanceLL in control. Risky move by Hump the SharkPlaying done, off to find the trailApparently, lights are a thing in this neighbourhood
One of riddles was a special mark. Upon finding this mark, we were informed that it referred the “glass house”. Occupants are discouraged from throwing stones.
Special marksGlass house
More pathways and trails were discovered responding to a back check mark. Many hidden ravines and streets in this neighbourhood!
Off we goFinally a slideAll the fun we could have!Insane Bolt checks out the roughness of the iceMore parks?
Slide cleaning opportunity!
Eventually, we made it out of the new construction and densely packed neighbourhoods to stumble upon the regroup. We arrived in waves with the keeners there first and the balance of the pack following along later.
Strap on with here beer danceFinally, refreshments!
The group did a cross country trail to the secret stairs that delivered the group to the shopping centre and the warmth of Original Joe’s.
Down Downs
Inside the pub, we took our spot in the reserved section of Original Joe’s.
Preparing for the down down’s
Hump the Shark was preparing the mythical material he would be delivering for the down down’s.
Hump the Shark thinking
Hump the Shark burst into action and appointed a choir of Twisty and PMS. They were presented with a thimble of beer for their troubles and they sang themselves a song!
Choir readyAnd a song!
The Religious Advisor went through this list of crimes and punishments.
Here’s to the hare!Hash Shit for the shortcuttersKing Shit Insane BoltSkewbic Hair for a lighting offenceStrap OnLC and LLNot sure what happened hereMargarita on special!Tasty RimHardly and Roaring Nancy
With all through, we were declared “on the piss” by Hump the Shark.
On the Piss!
Scribed by Skewbic Hair!
Trail Summary
The trail was in the 5 km to 6 km range. A great trail exploring new territory. Up hill all the way!
With no hares in the program, being a Hashmaster can have it’s challenges. As such, Insane Bolt was coerced into setting trail. His plan was to make it a long one, with words like Ultra Marathon used to describe his intentions.
Weather can be a fickle thing in Calgary. Last weeks heat wave was soon forgotten as the polar vortex settled in for some time, Running in temperatures of -25C requires some special provisions. Layers and dry clothes to change into are a must.
The temperatures filtered out some of the fair weather types, so our numbers were a bit down this week. It is not the quantity of the group, but the quality. As such we had 11 hard core hashers present to enjoy the run that Insane Bolt had produced for us!
Through the ice fog, snow and slippery roads, the group assembled at Pazzer’s Saskatchewan Pub. For those that are not familiar, this pub is a bastion of all things Saskatchewan. Like an oasis for those that long for a touch of Regina in Calgary.
Inside was busy, cramped but warm as we got ready for the run.
With all the late cummers accounted for, it was time to head out and circle up.
Sort of a circle
Hump and StoolieLiquor LotsLazy Cummer and King ShitInsane Bolt and Snow BlowerKarate KlitPrincess Monkey SpankerScoobie with full cold weather kit
PMS conducted the circle and our hare, Insane Bolt, was summoned into the circle to describe what he had planned for us.
Marks are drawnCold weather chalkFlagging
Insane pointed a direction and the cold hashers started to look for marks.
The Trail
Through the community of Montgomery, we found marks and followed them. Surprisingly, there are hills in the neighbourhood, with most of them going up!
Off we goReturning from a check packCheck from hereArt as windows
We stopped at the viewpoint for those in our group, and a picture was taken to record the event.
You can see a lot from here!
Apparently, the other half of the running group was elsewhere, having been befuddled by the interpretations of the marks. Eventually, they were found and no one died. They did send us some pictures to prove they were on trail!
Off through the wonders of Bowness and the bridge crossings along the Trans Canada highway, always a good time!
Down the hillCrunchy snow and crisp airBowness bridgeHashers along the bridge
Off toward Shouldice Park and a run through the pathways by the river. It was cold. Eventually, we ended up at the regroup to enjoy beer slushy’s. We were somewhat concerned about the missing hashers, but they eventually made it to the end and all was good!
Regroup for the first waveStylish moistureLL with the frosty lookLC thinking warm thoughtsKS keeping us safeRegroup wave 2KK with the frosty look!
PMS survived…..
With outdoor refreshments done, it was time to dress for inside down down’s. Dump the wet clothing and ward off hypothermia.
Off to the inside where we packed the pub with a full table of happy hashers. The locals were amused with the invasion.
Settling inLL sporting the Onesie of ShamePMS radiating
It was decided to splash out for suitable down down beer, the honour and recognize the intrepid group that enabled the continued operation of the group!
Beer Wench provided a full serve!
Hump the Shark declared “sitting down down’s” and we were set to go.
Choir was Scoobie and Lazy Cummer and the program was started.
Hump the Shark thinks someone is number 1Choir reward!
Around the table we went with down down’s for everyone!
Insane Bolt – Great TrailStool Stuffer – off to Mexico shortlyKC did not get lost!Snow Blower – Extra check backsShakes Beer – Is alive and coming out to the HashPMS demonstrating proper techniqueLiquor Lots – Happy to be inside!
After we exhausted the stories and the crimes, the Religious Advisor declared the group to be “on the piss”. The group settled in for more socializing and refreshment prior to heading out into the cold.
On the Piss!Drink amongst yourselves
Scribed by Skewbic Hair.
Trail Summary
We run over 5 kms is the cold. There were shortcuts available for those that needed them. In addition, Insane Bolt had some extra distance for those so inclined. A great run in the cold.
A Drinking Club with a Running Problem — The Calgary Hash House Harriers
