Welcome to Phoenix Hashing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)!
If you’ve never heard of us before, we are the people who put the “run” in drunk. We are a drinking club with a running problem. We are the ones who pass out beer at the 24th mile of marathons and yes, that was us you saw on TV having a great time and doing something silly. We drink, we run, it’s fun.
What is this global network of Hash House Harrier “kennels”?
Hashers are a loosely organized (disorganized) group of half-minds who get together to run, drink, enjoy irreverence and have a good time.
What does it take to be a hasher, you may be asking yourself?
Not much. Showing up to a hash makes you a hasher. No membership fees, magazine subscriptions or special kool aid is necessary.
When are the hashes?
Check the Big Ass Calendar and you’ll see the details…then just show up!
Does hashing cost money?
Sometimes there is a “hashcash” amount for the hash, but that covers the beer stops and beer/snacks at the end of the hash. There are no membership fees.
How often is the Big Ass Calendar updated?
It synchronizes from our FB events calendar every hour.
Do you have FriendFace group?
Yes, but you won’t get access to the group until you’ve hashed and someone requests your access.
What’s the difference between a hash and a bash (and a sash/skash/snash/etc.)
A hash is where we run, a bash is where we ride bicycles, a sash is where we play soccer, and a skash is where we ski…and a snash is where we snowshoe, but we don’t do much of that around Phoenix.
How does it work?
Well, by the time you show up to a hash, the hares (the ones who make our trail) have already hidden extra beers at secret locations on the trail, and have returned to socialize and drink. Once all the hashers have arrived, (Hashing usually works on hash standard time. HST (Hash Standard Time) uses a completely variable and made up unit to measure time, so the start time could be much later than the time listed on the website) the hares explain the marks they will be putting on the ground to lead us toward the beer. The marks are generally made using flour or chalk. Then the hares get a 10 minute head(!) start, and during that time we finish our beverages and warm up a little.
Definition of Hashing?
The hash itself is a version of a kid’s game called hares and hounds. In the real game, the hares use flour or paper to lay a trail for the hounds to follow. Ours works the same way only with dead ends, wrong turns and beer. Now, if you are a slow runner or a walker, the fast bastards ahead of you have already solved all of the wrong turns and ideally, everyone gets to the beer stops at the same time. Additionally, being a front running bastard is generally discouraged. If you want to train for a ultra marathon, you may have come to the wrong place.
Often, the trail is a big loop, passing through bars, wilderness, streets, beer stops, apartment complexes and other places before somehow ending up back at the beginning. Once at the beginning, we participate in “circle” where we drink more and eat snacks and have a generally good time, before picking an “On-After” bar for an optional cool down beverage.
What to expect?
As a hashing virgin (yes, you’re a virgin again… technically), we will pretty much just socialize with you and try to convince you that like yourself, we don’t really run all that well either. You probably won’t have to bring cash either, because in most of the kennels (hash groups) in the valley, your first hash is free (except the full moon hash, because we get the really good beer in bottles there). There will be water and beer provided for you, as well as some food at the end.
Still interested?
Check the BIG ASS CALENDAR upcoming hashes and just show up. (Look for 30 people standing around in a parking lot.)