With Christmas fast approaching, time to sneak in another hash run before the big day. Thankfully Abandoned Pussy and Strap On Crampon volunteered to set trail on a frigid evening in December, and one of the shortest days of the year.
They selected the neighbourhood of Fairview SE to set trail, and selected the fashionable Stonegate Pub as the starting location. This may become a new Hash favourite sporting $5.00 pints and chicken wing specials on Monday nights! Tucked away in a non-descript 1950’s strip mall, adjacent to the bowling alley, a hidden gem in the neighbourhood!
It was a cold evening, with temperatures in the -20 C range + wind chill. The heating system repair truck and the guys on the roof may have been a signal of the heating problem in the pub.
Not to be discouraged, we were fine with our full on winter costume in anticipation of the cold temperatures. Tu Tu’s were present.
Nice and warm insideA pre-run gathering
The hashers were outfitted with the right gear to survive the run. Pre circle pictures show off some of the weather protection choices.
Abandoned PussyBlue BallsStrap On CramponKing ShitStool StufferKarate KlitTwistyHardlyDastardlyHump the Shark and archive Krusty
The stand in Hashmaster, Skewbic Hair, called the group outside to circle up!
Circle forming
Blue Balls – weather protectedKrustyDastardlyTwistyKing ShitHump the SharkMr. PeeeeeNut
Skewbic Hair – running the circle
It was time for the hares to come into the circle to describe the marks they have set for a fine trail.
We have set trail!Let me show you some fine marksThese marks are easy to find, hard to followHow hard can this be?
With the marks described, the pack was released to find the true trail.
The Trail
From the front of the pub, we headed off into the dark of the evening until true trail was found. Marks on the lamp posts lead the way into the depths of the Fairview neighbourhood.
Off toward the schoolDown the streetsAlleysWatch your footingFine alley explorationPark foundFun in the parkOff to the next adventureSome Christmas lights spottedYou can buy a fancy car here!Navigating trafficHump the Shark spots a swingPretty high!King Shit slidesChristmas lightsHope this ends soon!
Like a mirage on the horizon, the regroup vehicle was spotted. A fine selection of hot chocolate and unfrozen beer.
Tasty refreshmentsQuick refreshments then off to the pub
A short walk away, the pub as found and we went inside to warm up!
Settling inBeer and food specialsHappy times!
It was nice to be inside in the warmth preparing for the down down’s.
The Down Down’s
Booty Camp with assistance from Twisty were our Religious Advisor team. They prepared the program and secured refreshments for the down down’s.
A sampling for down down’sTwisty and Booty Camp ready to go
Hardly volunteered to be the Christmas themed choir, digging up the song sheets with the sacred verses.
We are readyHares set a great trail
We had so much fun setting the trail for you all to enjoy! Lots of chalk used. Don’t follow the pink chalk as those are check backs (Who knew?)
Krusty makes an appearanceDown DownKing ShitChoir – HardlyBlue Balls
Karate Klit and Mr. PeeeeeNut
Snow Blower and Hump the Shark – checkback mastersSkewbic hair gets a down down. AP takes a picture!Stool Stuffer, Dastardly and Basher Slippy Thong
With the down down’s completed, Booty Camp declared us “on the piss”. The group continued to enjoy the mirth and merriment of the Stonegate Pub until it was time to head home.
Scribed by Skewbic Hair.
The Trail
A find trail of almost 5 km was enjoyed by the pack. Excellent trail setting by AP and Strap On Crampon. The playgrounds were fun and no-one died.
The Thanksgiving Holiday is a significant milestone in the calendar. Lots of turkey and family stuff going on. Setting a Thanksgiving Hash Run is getting more difficult as the group gets smaller, and those willing to host are scarce.
For this year, we decided for make the Thanksgiving Run a regular evening run and found two enthusiastic teachers with time to set trail.
Abandoned Pussy and Princess Monkey Spanker volunteered to set trail from Local 403 Eatery and Pub off Canyon Meadows Drive SE. This location is very close to Fish Creek, a harbinger of things to come!
The group arrived in the twilight as darkness for the run is now a thing. We started inside and waited patiently for the group to fill out.
We headed outside to circle up in the diminishing daylight. Needed to get the circle done and out on the trail as darkness will be a challenge for the Fish Creek experience that the hares had in store for us.
Insane Bolt was the Hashmaster of the day. He quickly went through the announcements and introductions prior to calling for the hares.
Insane Bolt runs the circle
The hares described the marks they had planned for the trail!
MarksLike theseAnd theseChecks and check backsAll good and ready to go!
The pack was released to find the marks of the true trail.
The Trail
Off from the parking lot, we headed toward Fish Creek Park to see if we were on trail. A cunning false trail was awaiting the fast hashers. Eventually, the true trail was discovered and the park was afoot!
Off we goFish Creek?Perhaps notMarks this way!Blurry RashyShakesbeerEvidence of a markParade of lights!
Off to the dark trails of Fish Creek. Some interesting things were seen, including a wet beaver and a marked tree.
Wet BeaverIn the darkWhile trail settingBeaver swim timeArt ShotSharp teeth at workNot much light
Through the dark pathways, we finally emerged out of the valley and into the neighbourhood!
LC has a bright onePMS following the lights
Eventually, we stumbled upon the regroup after taking the pedestrian C-Train bridge over Macleod Trail.
New regroup vehicleYummy beverages!
A bit of mingling in the dark while enjoying the beverages from the regroup car.
PMS figuring things out. Was it really that long and hard?
After a discussion, it was decided to do abbreviated outside down down’s with Hardly as the Religious Advisor (RA).
The Down Down’s
Hardly made up material and we agreed that the choir would be the group! Let’s get this done so we can go inside for more beer!
Hardly – RA
The hares were acknowledged followed by other accusations. A rant of stories, truth and lies.
HaresShitty Trail?Insane Bolt – Suspect it was a racistBright light bunchShakesbeerStoolie, Rashy and Insane BoltAP for somethingKing ShitOn InMucky Dip – Not getting lost
After all the stories were delivered, Hardly declared the group “on the piss”.
On the piss
The group retired to the Local 403 for more refreshments and food. A fine trail was enjoyed by all.
Scribed by Skewbic Hair.
Trail Summary
The trail was somewhere around 6 km through the darkness of Fish Creek! An enjoyable hashing experience was had by all.
Full summer and Stampede Week! Tough to get hares out but we had Can Crusher set trail to celebrate her 9th birthday! She might have had a bit of help from her brother (Touche) and Abandoned Pussy.
An obscure location at the east end of Fish Creek Park, the Bankside parking lot, created some challenges for those that were not paying attention to the map link.
Upon arrival we were welcome to a nice parking lot with a shiny public washroom. The pack arrived and proceeded to get their bearings. Stampede costumes were present.
Hashers arrive to find the location to circle up
Princess Monkey Spanker enlightened the pack with where the run would start. The group stumbled over to a large picnic area to for the circle.
Start walkingCircle will happen here
The pack circled up and prepared for what would be an epic trail set by a 9 year old, with some assistance.
Tighty WhiteyHardlyTwistySeaman LegsMmmmm Lady FingersCamshaftStool StufferRashy BushDaisy DukeHuggy Bear and Ba Ba BeerPull my WoodyStrap On CramponFrogadile HunterHot CheeksHash Test Dummy and Sticky LipsPyroOn InLSOS and DastardlyMucky DipMucky and Hot PantsHump the SharkTouche and Can CrusherAbandoned PussyLSOS needs an arm photoshopped in
PMS commanded the circle to order. She went through the announcements, introductions and other hash business. We had archives and visitors, including our African friends that were tardy to the circle.
PMS runs the circle
The hares were called into the circle to explain the marks that were made with chalk, flour and flagging. Can Crusher was reluctant to take full credit for the trail as she had some support from her family.
We have set a trailCan Crusher toe points to a circleAP makes more marksYou know the drill
All the marks you need to know
There was some suggestion that shiggy may be present on trail. The high river was creating some quality wet shoe opportunities close to the bank.
The pack was released and the runners spread out to find the marks for the true trail.
The Trail
The paved pathway system was augmented with dirt trails with thick vegetation growth. It was challenging to find the marks but once we clued into the role that the flour had in marking, we figured it out.
Strapon and Lazy CummerYou can’t see the forest for the trees
Nice view
Marks are hard to find
Rashy emerges
Field of shiggy
The pack charges alongFalse trail?Strap On not getting sucked inWhat a nice bridge over there!
Follow the leader
Daisy in trudge modeStoolie making progressArt shot with nice cloudsHow high can you go?Daisy masters the slidePMS ponders the Monkey barsHump is a swingerBoy is this fun!
Park spotted
Off to find more trailPark actionRunning through a check back – shameAP knows the way
Strap On claims the chair
Hump takes a breakStampede and Halloween mash upBoy was I thirsty
As we emerged for the Deer Run neighbourhood, we could see the regroup and parking lot in the distance.
You can see the end!
Outdoor down down’s
The pack collected their chairs and prepared for a session of outdoor down down’s
Down Down’s
The group assembled in the picnic area to enjoy refreshments and snacks as we prepared for the closing ceremonies. We found our late cummers as we filled out the down down circle.
Circle for the down down’s
Keep on Pumping, Star Lady and Just BasilNot Ready
Tighty Whitey volunteered to be the Religious Advisor, and proceeded to make up a program based on myth and innuendo, with the occasional fact.
Making up stories and tales
Dastardly prepared the beverages and the program was ready to go.
Beverages readyRA ready to launch
We held off until some of out missing hashers arrived. Apparently the free chair needed to be secured quickly as not to miss out. PMS and Strapon sheepishly return using the excuse they were getting their hash cash out of the car…..
PMS and Strap on finally making it to the circle
The program was started. Tighty Whitey immediately invited the hares into the circle to be acknowledged for fine trail.
AP helped meGreat Trail!Best 9th birthday ever!Down down
After the hares were acknowledged, Tighty Whitey realized that a choir would be helpful. Strap on and PMS were chosen, as a reward for delaying the start of the down down’s.
Choir – PMS and Strap on Crampon
Hardly finds flourChoir using technology
Our lost visitors
Hot Cheeks and Frogadile Hunter – Bird watchers
Woodpecker song with actions
Pull My Woody and Hump the SharkConfirmation of equipmentStool StufferSeamen Legs – Edmonton visitor
Hump the Shark was called out for multiple offences. Apparently the dog dish rehydration on trail had to be recreated for the group.
Stampede themed costume
On In and PyroChoir in action. Note Touche brought in for supportLSOS was racing apparently
Scoobie for taking pictures, and Tighty Whitey for RA duties. On the Piss
The circle wrapped up and there was much rejoicing.
Scribed (in person) by Skewbic Hair.
Trail Summary
A fine trail of 6 km was delivered. The Bankside picnic area was a great starting point for a great run. Can Crusher has a great future in trail setting for the hash.
The teachers in the group become very happy as the school year ends. The time spent with their pupils is over and they can plan their summer off. Thankfully, their enthusiasm included setting trail in Fish Creek Park from the Bebo Grove parking area.
Abandoned Pussy, Hot Cheeks and Princess Monkey Spanker were the hares. The abundance of trails in Fish Creek were beckoning. Recent rain and snow melt had transformed Fish Creek into a raging river. Should be a great time!
The group assembled the in the parking lot in anticipation of a great trail.
The pack gets organized
We had a good turn out with a number of visitors from Africa attending conventions in town.
The cunning plan that the hare’s had involved a “live hare” setting the trail on the fly. Here is a pre run picture of PMS, ready to inflict marks on the park trails.
You have no idea how much will like this trail!
PMS hit the trail to set the marks and we gave her a 15 minute or so head start going through the circle procession. The pack started to form something like a circle in anticipation of the Hashmaster running the circle. PMS setting trail and Insane Bolt missing in action. What to do?
Something like a circleDaisy DukeHump the SharkCamshaftBeer in the Rear, Slow Clap, Hot Quickie, and Just ColinMenage-a-TroisMmmmm Lady FingersLazy CummerBlue BallsOn InDastardlyGomer PylesArtur – Lion KillerStar LadyProdigal DaughterI’m so SweetNot ReadyKeep On PumpingNew Boot – Just BasilTighty WhiteyLiquor LotsAbandoned PussyRashy BushKing ShitTwistyHardlyShakesbeerStool StufferSlippy ThongHot CheeksOPP
Snevil stepped up as acting Hashmattress and ran the circle. Many announcements, introductions, milestones to work through and Snevil did an excellent job.
Snevil runs the circle
We had a number of visitors from Africa that brought an international feeling to our hash. They provided a great deal of entertainment to our relatively quiet group.
Visitors galoreVisitors and a new boot
Snevil called the hares into the circle and they provided a version of what they thought the marks might look like. Perhaps there was a telepathic message from PMS who was currently on trail making the marks!
Marks could be like thisPerhaps like theseUse your imagination and find the trail
The pack was released and headed out in different directions trying to find the marks.
The Trail
Many possible trails to check. Eventually, the true trail was found and the pack burst into action following the trail.
Beer in the Rear leading here Italian barking dogKing Shit following the arrow in his shirtMany trees hereShakesbeer looking for trailOPP and Rashy in chat modeThere is a creek here somewhereBeer in the Rear setting a torrid paceProcessionRashy and Slippy running in unisonListening for marksPretty sure it is this wayFork in the roadCOSTCO sightingOver there!Daisy inspecting RashyPaved pathway?Why are we here?No marks up here. Daisy was mistakenThrough the woodsDaisy gets a soakerShakesbeer leadingDuck if you are taller than this treeSmile for the cameraConcentrationRunning commercialHump on the moveSlow Clap running fastGomer PylesHump finds the bridgeThe creek crossing is on a bridgeThe marks we like to seePastural location Signs of civilization
Eventually the marks lead us back to the parking lot where we found refreshments and set of a down down circle in the field nearby.
Post run assembly
The group celebrated the run with chatter and socializing prior to the down down’s start.
Looks like a good spotSharing a blanketReception here?Swipe right…You are number 1Hardly and TwistyVocal crowdCamshaft and On InChair conservationChat festWhy are we waiting?
The Down Down’s
Hump the Shark was the Religious Advisor for the evening. He diligently assembled his program and prepared to deliver the ceremony.
Beverages readyHump the Shark – thinking
With milestones at play, there was a need to prepare and warm up the half yard.
This is a big beerHeat transfer in action
Hump the Shark selected a choir of Slow Clap, Stool Stuffer and King Shit. They sang a song and enjoyed a down down.
Choir in action
The hares were acknowledged. PMS did an outstanding job of setting trail with moral support from her fellow teachers.
PMS set trailHappy teacher times
The pack was very engaged in the down down. In spite of continually checking their phones for updates.
Our visitors and new boots were called up and acknowledged.
A crowd of visitorsAre we having fun yet?
A number of offences were called out as well as the passing along of the hash shit.
Not ReadyNew boot – Just BasilRashy and Menage sharing a momentLazy Cummer and OPPJust Colin
Hat Shit over to Daisy Duke. Multiple offences being rewarded with this special prize.
Hat Shit finds a new ownerStyling
Various and sundry offences were called out. Too numerous to count.
SnevilOPPKing ShitStool StufferHardly and Menage – hash shit transferHot Cheeks like taking pictures to shareOn InSkewbic HairShakesbeer
The half yard was sufficiently warmed up for Tighty Whitey to enjoy.
ReadySetGoJust about thereAnti-gravity shorts
For some reason, there was more to be enjoyed. It seemed like the program would never end.
It was this big!You should have seen it!Scoobie for somethingAll done – on the piss
With the prolonged down down’s complete, it was time to pack up and leave this place. A fine performance was delivered!
Scribed by Skewbic Hair
Run Summary
Fish Creek Park did not disappoint. There was much up and down with sufficient climbing, descending and viewpoints. Thankfully we were spared for the death water torrent flowing through the creek. Total run was 6 km’s or so.
Hash Extra
The Rotary convention was in town, so we found some trail markers to celebrate this.
Abandoned Pussy was pressured to set trail for the group. Happy to help, she chose her neighbourhood of Mahogany SE which is very far south. In addition, she arranged for the first day of snow to appear on the day of her run. Darkness is also a thing so headlights on at the beginning of the run is now a thing. In spite of all these opportunities, AP pulled it off and set a great trail.
Being this far south, you never know how long it will take to get there. For those living in the North, it was like an expedition. However, those folks that figured it out were entertained by a great trail in the modern new neighbourhood with complete with lakeside mansions and Halloween lights galore.
The start location was in a park called Central Park. Not to be confused with other parks in Calgary also named Central Park, that are not in Mahogany. Google Maps had it sorted.
With diminishing twilight, the runners arrived and a circle was formed.
The park had some interesting features including a significant slide and a hiding place that looked like an airplane fuselage.
Wreckage from spaceAP, Hump the Shark and Tighty Whitey
As we got things organized, PMS commanded the circle into existence and went through the formalities. A few late cummers missed the circle, so not everyone got a souvenir photo to remember the event. Missed new boot Just Christian, Hardly and Twisty, and King Shit (Vinnie).
Karate ClitStrap On and Liquor LotsSlippy Thong and Stool StufferLying Sack of Shit (LSOS)Tighty WhiteyHot Cheeks and Strap OnPMSPMS getting circle goingListen to me!
We went through the announcements and introductions. Abandoned Pussy was called into the circle to describe the run marks.
AP drawing the marksChalk and snow not so goodGood luck, and there is pink flagging
The run began in the direction provided by AP.
The Trail
Madly off to find the marks. Those marks that survived the snow dusting were difficult to see. Flagging was good it you knew where to look.
Pathways through the neighbourhoodThere is a mark here somewhereArtwork checkPack looking for marksHardly knows the way
In this high density, new neighbourhood, lots of fancy lights and Halloween decorations. Playgrounds were tested and proved interesting with the new snow.
Hump and PMS get ready to slideUntracked powderA bit of a crash by KCMilling aboutDastardly on trailAngry, scary pumpkinBig decoration budget
The fake lake provided some great views of the McMansions with personal docks for their watercraft. Who knew this existed in this part of the world!
All these lightsUpon reflectionA bit of snow for effectSnow is like small cometsIt was much warmer last weekBronze small personBeer wagon with snow
Down Down’s
In the park, in the cold, in the snow. What a great set up for down down’s. As such, we opted for an abbreviated version to suite the circumstances. A picnic shelter (of some sort) has some cover to keep our ceremonies someone covert.
Religious Advisor was Hump the Shark. Songs from the group. Get this done!
Hump the Shark in deep thoughtHump is ready! Note the mood lighting from a headlight!
Apparently there was a half yard celebration. Normally, we try to heat the beer to suitable drinking temperature using a volunteer hasher with the right equipment. Slippy Thong opted for the blanket approach for half yard warming.
Slippy Thong called to dutyHalf Yard warming for LSOS milestone award
Hares, other offences and ultimately the half yard performance made a great abbreviated performance.
Shadow artSmall beer, big shadowI made this happen!Just ChristianHardly – late cummerPMS is of European heritageLight brightness is importantLSOS ready for the half yard!
LSOS was challenged by the coolness of the beer. As such, the consumption was attenuated to manage throat temperature. After some some, it was all done and we rejoiced! It was not a world speed record.
Mental preparationThe beginningSlowly
Art shadow shot!
This is bigger than it looksSecond stoppage celebration
Normally would have the “its done” shot here. Slow process.
Eventually, LSOS completed his award and we were declared “on the piss” by Hump the Shark.
Some of the group retired to the warmth of the Blackbird Urban Pub for further celebration.
Scribed by Skewbic Hair.
Trail Summary
The scenic trail was slightly over 5 km in length. Quite scenic with all the lights and decorations from this upscale community. Some of us had a longer distance as we did not stop our devices at the end of the run. Have the car travelled distance to the pub included in this rendition.
A Drinking Club with a Running Problem — The Calgary Hash House Harriers
