Hash Report Tuesday 16^th April 2024

Route planner: IXL

The run had a basis in history and unexpected route-setting issues which created havoc for IXL and Walking Disaster.

In choosing the eventual S2H4 route, it is worth remarking that the lack of an over-arching TCA Trail Coordination Agency became bleeding obvious. All it would require is that all runs are shared between clubs a week before they are held. A sentence on the internet would be a great time saver for run setters, eliminating chalk arrows criss crossing, as in this case, nearly on identical routes during the same week.

(Ed Note – According to Tripod, Melbourne HHH Chapters have settled on using unique arrows).

Had it not been for the fact that WD happened to know where the Harriettes trail was planned for that week and seen the map, that bit of advice led me to throw out my original S2H4 trail because of likely conflict and confusion. But the problem didn’t stop there.

Having started all over again in planning a route designed to stay well clear of the Harriettes and setting an entirely new trail starting from the Grassy Knoll and heading north, and going into setting mode the morning of the hash, when YIKES! we realised someone else had come up with the same bloody route. It was to be such a mess that it was close to ending IXL and WD’s formerly calm relationship leaving shock waves of angst emanating from Naremburn to Cammeray.

I am not going to give a blo-by-blow description of the run. You can see it on the attached plan (overleaf). The bulk of the pack managed to navigate the route without difficulty although Bede felt cheated out of more checks and on-backs. It is true that these were not in great abundance, but on the other hand most of the pack returned within the hour, and could repair to Ace Noodles in good time.

As always, the Chinese fare there is inexpensive and tasty. But most importantly, the family business has always been welcoming since Mistletoe and I started patronising it about 20 years ago when we lived in Naremburn.

If I may be permitted to add, I strongly would support phasing out runs in winter in darkness. It might mean starting the run at 5.00pm instead of 6.30pm but far more enjoyable to be able to see where you are going. Maybe we could run a plebiscite on this hardly revolutionary reform suggestion.