Hare Guidelines

1) Hare Devirginizing: An experienced hare will escort new hares to show them the ropes. Don't worry--being devirginized doesn't (usually) have to hurt. Check the hareline, then contact an older hare and ask to help hare!! Talk to us, we don't bite (well, most of us don't). Another option is to send a note to and ask if there is an open date...

2) Hash Cash will be $5 for regular beer/snack hashes and $8 or $10 for food hashes (for those prearrange with mismanagement first). Total reimbursable for any hash is $150 LIMIT unless approved in advance by the GM (this usually means getting him/her drunk before asking), most of the time much less needs to be spent depending on left overs from the previous hash.

3) Beer: When estimating the amount of beer, figure on 4-5 per person. For a regular hash, you can expect about 30 hashers showing up (that's 5-6 cases). Remember, we can always make a quick beer run if necessary. Don't get any expensive craft beer, think PBR, Yuengling, Natty Light (limit light beer to one case (24 cans), avoid glass bottles. Innovations and variety in cheap beer are appreciated (as long as it isn't four-year old beer from Pittsburgh).

4) Sodas/Water: For sodas, estimate 1 per hasher and do get a mix of diet/cola/non-cola; think store brand cheap stuff. During summer fill the SWH3 water cooler with tap water and ice, provide cheap cups. Other times, bring two gallon jugs of water and cups.

5) Munchies: For snacks, 3-4 bags of chips / cheesy poofs / pretzels and 2-3 bags of sweets (Oreo cookies, M&M's, etc.). Don't get too much as left-overs don't keep.

6) Misc: Bring trash bags for garbage/recyclables, a recycling bin if you can, some cups (if there aren't any left). Do not spend too much money on ice. 1/2 - 1 bag per cooler is plenty, during fall/winter you may not need them.

7) Coolers: Hares are expected to go to the hash prior to theirs in order to pick up the hash cooler and any leftovers. This is so you'll know how much more stuff to get (mainly, BEER). Don't be relying on one of the half-minds of Mismanagement to do it. When picking up the coolers it is a good idea to drain and rinse them out the same day to avoid the dreaded "dead skunk" smell. (We'll thank you for doing it ;-).

8) Trail Guidelines: See the SWH3 Official Hare Marks... Since many of us have a difficult time judging distance (what exactly is a hash yard?) and telling time, it's up to the hare to stay realistic about their run length. Generally trails are 3-6 miles, which should take the hares about 50-60 minutes to run the trail non-stop without checks. We have many hounds that love longer trails, but please consider offering a turkey-eagle split (shortcuts for Walkers & Baby Joggers). Please also take into consideration that baby joggers might need shortcuts around heavy shiggy, railroad tracks, fences, tunnels, etc. Try out the virtual hash trail... For "dead" trails please plan on one of the hares sweeping the end of the pack to avoid losing hashers and marking checks for late-comers. Don't worry too much about FRBs/folks ranging off trail (PITA/Chickenman) as they tend to somehow find us back (although they may miss a beer break that way ;-). Please mark the direction the pack went and time with a hare arrow so that late-comers (Dickta/Finger) can find us. For evening/night trails it's impossible to use too much flour/shredded paper/toilet paper as folks will have a hard enough time finding marks. Keep Monday/Full-Moon hashes on the shorter side, ideally so that we can make it back to circle before sunset (towards the end of summer that probably won't work due to earlier sunset times). Hares should be sure to scout locations, especially for circle and beer breaks, ideally at the same time and day of the week as the actual hash to ensure the location is "hash safe", meaning few or no people or security. Stay clear of any buildings with security cameras on the outside; invariably that means someone might be looking at them and need to chase us to justify their existence. Avoid private property and look at the online county GIS maps to find "safe" routes (sewer lines, infrequently used rail-road tracks, streams are typically good connector options).

9) Trail Start times: Sir Walter's hashes are run during Fall/Winter/Spring every Sunday, between Memorial Day and two weeks after Labor Day hashes alternate Sunday/Monday. Year round we also run during full moon. For the schedule check the hareline. If you really absolutely need to change the start time check with the hareraiser / GM first.

10) Hare notes: Hares are responsible for getting the information on location, directions, time, etc. to the Hare Raiser.the Monday before your hash date. In the case of special hashes or events, the earlier you can get the information in, the earlier we can start to promote the run start. Send what information you do have about the R#n to the Hare Raiser he/she'll put it on the web. Put a reminder in there if a B-bag, cash/id on trail, flashlight are required. Include information about location/address of the on-after in there if possible (make sure to check with the pub/restaurant/dive bar that they will be open and can accommodate a number hashers).

11) If you would like to go outside the guidelines (example: you would like have the hash all rent rollerblades for a hash or a bike hash) just talk it over with Mismanagement to work out the details. It should be fine.....

Remember, we are only asking $5 per person for hash cash. This being said, we are not providing full meals or enough beer to re-float the Titanic. If you decide to go beyond the basics, this will be your call and out of your pocket. Many Hares have added their own personal touch, be that fresh baked goods, "prize beer", etc. As a hare, it is your hash to do as you please beyond the basics.

With all the new Hares, it seemed like a good idea to get these notes out to you. We have had a couple hashes recently that did get over budget. It's not that Sir Walter's is trying to turn a profit, you can look at PITA's car to see this. We need to make a few $s on each hash to fund some of the functions that are covered by the organization. If you made the AGM or hare party, you may remember that we did not collect hash cash, but we did provide a keg and pizza. If we blow the budget on each weekly hash, we will not be able to cover an event like this. Raising the debt ceiling is not an option for us.

SWH3 Hare Guidelines