A Guide to Haring
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Hares Keep The Hash Alive
Are you afraid of messing up? Worried about criticism, accusations, or—even worse—getting lost? You’re not alone.
Even the most seasoned hares feel the pre-trail jitters. The night before, you might dream of botching the route, setting a dud of a trail, or getting snared too soon. And that first mile? You’ll be questioning your life choices, torn between sucking wind or hyperventilating. But that rush, that adrenaline—that’s what makes haring worth it!
Haring isn’t just a responsibility—it’s an adventure. There’s nothing quite like crafting a devious, challenging, and fun route. Will it be an A-to-B? A sneaky A-to-Almost-A? Will your false trails send the FRBs on a wild goose chase while the walkers cruise through a well-placed shortcut? The possibilities are endless, and nothing beats the satisfaction of watching the pack struggle through the shiggy, completely outsmarted by your masterful planning.
So to the wallflowers, hesitant hashers, and reluctant hares—take the leap! If you haven’t laid a trail since your naming, team up with an experienced hasher. Having a co-hare makes the experience more fun and gives you a chance to swap tips, tricks, and devious ideas.
Laying a solid trail isn’t as simple as marking a running route—it’s an art. This isn’t a race where the fastest finish first; it’s a game designed to challenge, confuse, and entertain. A great hare keeps the pack together with clever checks, loops, and shortcuts so that runners and walkers alike find their way to the ON-IN around the same time. And most importantly, the trail should be FUN!
OH3 is “All Live, All the Time” – we take pride in never laying dead trails. Every official trail is a live trail, meaning the hare gets a head start before the pack is unleashed in pursuit. No pre-laying, no shortcuts—just pure hashing adventure.
So, hares, be ready to run, think fast, and keep the pack on their toes with clever checks, sneaky loops, and devious false trails. And remember—if you get caught, the pack will make sure you earn that down-down!
To help you get started, here are some tips and techniques from seasoned hares—because the hash always needs hares!
ON-ON!
A Guide to Haring
This guide is for new hashers, those who have only laid a few trails, and even seasoned hares who could use a refresher—because it never hurts to review the basics! The suggestions here are based on Okinawa Hash traditions. Other hashes may do things differently, but let’s be honest—some trails turn into long, tedious races (we’ve all laid one!).
Hopefully, this guide will help you avoid that and set a trail that keeps the pack engaged and entertained. Let’s dive in!
Planning
1. Check the Receding Hareline for available dates when the kennel needs a hare.
-Even if you’re a seasoned hare, consider finding a co-hare—it’s always more fun (and less stressful) with a partner.
2. Sign up on the Hareline to claim your spot and start planning your trail.
Trail Selection
The Okinawa area offers an almost limitless variety of trails—urban streets, rugged mountain paths, dense jungle, water crossings, and of course, everyone’s favorite… stairs! Choosing the right location is the most important decision a hare will make.
The earlier you pick your trail start, the better. Ideally, coordinates should be posted at least two weeks in advance. It’s also a good idea to check in with the Harerazer or another Misman member before scouting, just to avoid conflicts or other unforeseen issues with the location.
A great way to start is by digitally scouting with Google Earth. You can look for established hiking trails or refer to the starting coordinate document, which lists starting points from previous trails. This resource is especially helpful since someone has already figured out parking for you!
When selecting a trail location, consider the following factors listed below.
Trail Potential
A good hash trail should take around 2 hours at a walking pace, forming a loop or leading to a solid endpoint. If an area looks promising, it’s worth scouting further.
Parking & Accessibility
Choose a starting point with ample parking, away from busy public areas where we can sing, down-down, and revel without disturbing the muggles.
Drive Time to Start
Use Kadena AFB as a reference point when estimating how long it will take hashers to drive to the start location. Typically, trails are no more than 1 hour drive time from Kadena AFB.
Walkers & Runners Trails
OH3 welcomes all fitness levels, so every trail should accommodate both walkers and runners. The fastest runners should finish in about 1 hour, while the slowest walkers should complete it in 2 hours. Runners’ trails can be more challenging with extra distance, steep climbs, or river crossings, but they should always branch off and reconnect with the walkers’ route. A good hash is fun—not an endurance test!
Terrain Considerations
Okinawa’s terrain offers everything from beaches to jungles, stairs, and mountains, but make sure your route is realistic for all hashers. Avoid extreme climbs, dangerous drops, or obstacle-course-level shiggy. If the area is too brutal for most, find a better location!
Start & Finish Points A & B Points
Start & Finish Points (A & B Points)
A to A Trails (Starts and Ends in the same spot)
Choose a safe, accessible location with ample parking where hashers can gather. Avoid main roads where getting in and out is risky. Pick a spot away from heavy traffic noise, so the GM or RA doesn’t have to yell (more than usual).
The start/finish should be circle-friendly—a place where we can sing, drink, and down-down without attracting too much attention from the police or irritated locals.
A to B Trails
If setting an A to B trail, plan ahead for logistics:
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How will hashers get back to A?
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Where will the beer van go?
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Will drivers need to shuttle cars?
Make sure the transition to B Point is smooth so everyone can focus on the trail—and the beer!
Previous Hashes in the Area
Okinawa has endless trail possibilities, so don’t keep hashing the same spots! Check past trails to avoid overused routes and seek out new, interesting areas like hidden waterfalls, old villages, beaches, or scenic overlooks to keep things fresh and fun.
Scouting Your Trail
Scouting—also known as "recce-ing" or doing a reconnaissance—is essential to laying a solid trail. Plan well in advance to avoid last-minute panic. Setting a trail should be fun, not stressful, so give yourself plenty of time! Depending on the terrain, you may need multiple scouting trips before the hash.
Trail Length & Timing
Estimating trail length can be tricky. A good rule of thumb: if it takes you more than 2.5 hours to scout at a steady pace, it’s too long! The final trail should be between 5-8 km (3-5 miles), and it should take the walkers no more than 2 hours to complete.
Terrain & Safety
If a section feels wrong, don’t use it! Watch for:
If hazards can’t be avoided, offer an alternative route for those who prefer a safer option. Safety always comes first—earning a Hash Crash patch (awarded when you have to be taken off trail for medical help) might make for a great story, but wiping out on trail isn’t worth it!
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Overly technical or dangerous climbs (steep is fine—unsafe is not)
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Slippery paths near ledges
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Dense jungle requiring heavy clearing
Water Crossings & Tides
If your trail includes river crossings, beach runs, or coastal paths, check the tide reports! A perfectly good trail in the morning might be completely underwater by the afternoon. Don’t assume it will be the same as when you scouted—tides change daily.
And if hashers are expected to swim on trail, give them a heads-up! Not everyone wants to doggy paddle their way to the ON-IN.
Summer Hashing & Water Stops
Okinawa’s summers can be brutal, so if you’re haring during the hotter months, plan for water stops—especially on longer trails. A well-placed cooler with water or sports drinks can make the difference between a fun hash and a dehydrated disaster. Take the heat into account when choosing your route, and avoid long, exposed sections with no shade when possible.
When in doubt, reroute.
Posting Trail Details
Once you have scouted your trail and confirmed your start location, it's time to update the Facebook event with all relevant details. When you sign up on the Hareline, the Webmeister will add you as a co-host to the Facebook event.
What to Do Next?
1. Update the event with all necessary details; the webmeister will have the template preloaded for you to follow.
2. Fill in the details based on your trail.
3. Message the Webmeister once you've made updates so they can sync the info across all event pages.
Event Information Template
Every event follows a template, and the following details must be included:
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HARES: (List your name(s))
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Dog-Friendly: Yes/No
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Heights: Yes/No (Are there high ledges, steep climbs, or bridges that may be an issue?)
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Swimming: Yes/No (Will hashers need to swim at any point on trail?)
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Shiggy Rating: (1-5, based on terrain difficulty)
Shiggy Ratings:
1 – City trail: streets, sidewalks, stairs, and parks.
2 – Mostly urban, some off-road, but no significant mud or water.
3 – Mixed terrain: paths, wooded areas, light bushwhacking, and shallow water or mud. Consider high socks or pants.
4 – Rough terrain: heavy woods, deep mud or water crossings (up to waist-high), thorny underbrush, obstacles like fences or walls. High socks or pants recommended.
5 – Extreme terrain: thick underbrush, briars, thigh-deep mud, deep water crossings. Bring a trail buddy!
Additional Details:
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Location: Longitude, Latitude
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Parking: (Any special instructions or limitations?)
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Other Notes: Anything hashers should know (e.g., bring a dry bag, expect rope climbs, etc.).
Keeping the event page updated ensures everyone is prepared—so set the trail, post the details, and get ready for a great trail!
Laying Trail
Laying Trail: Plan, Prepare and Stay Ahead
Reminder: OH3 is “All Live, All the Time” – we take pride in never laying dead trails. Does it happen?
Sure, pre-laying is like masturbation—widely practiced but rarely admitted.
Gather Your Supplies
Flour: Hares must bring their own flour for laying the trail. A 5lb bag should be sufficient for most trails, but if you're planning to mark dense or particularly rugged terrain, you may want to bring more. The kennel provides flour bottles to make marking easier, and these are kept in the beer van, ready for use during the trail.
Chalk: Essential for marking on pavement or dry surfaces. Chalk is available in the beer van, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own.
Other Trail Surprises (Optional): Planning a Danger Can, Beer Quest, or any other fun surprises? Just make sure you can carry everything you need while staying ahead of the pack. After all, the hares are there to keep things interesting!
Bag or Waist Belt: To manage your flour bottles, chalk, and extras without slowing down, bring a bag or waist belt that allows easy access to your materials. Consider the terrain challenges—will you need to refill or adjust marks on the fly? Make sure your setup keeps you mobile and prepared for any obstacles along the way.
Environmental Considerations: ONLY mark your trail with environmentally friendly substances. That means no CHAD, spray paint, or anything harmful. Also, remember that after the hash, you must remove anything you used that the rain won’t easily wash away (e.g., surveyor/engineer tape). Let’s keep Okinawa’s beautiful landscape clean for everyone!
Day of the Trail
Arrive Early!
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Unexpected issues happen—like closed parking lots, construction, or angry locals. Give yourself extra time to problem-solve and alert the pack if needed.
Prepare Your Supplies
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Fill your flour bottles
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Grab chalk
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Grab any extras (Danger Cans, Beer Quest, Beer Stop supplies)
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Write out Chalk Talk. Need a refresher on trail markings? Check out the Chalk Talk page.
Marking Trail
Lay a fun and visible trail that keeps the pack engaged.
Lay Marks Regularly & Clearly
Make markings visible but not excessive
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Flour blobs and chalk marks should be large enough to see but small enough to avoid being a nuisance.
Consider the Terrain
The effectiveness of hash marks depends on the surface—concrete, mud, grass, thick bush, etc.
Account for weather conditions
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Wind: Place marks where they won’t blow away.
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Rain: If rain is expected, position marks where they’ll last until the pack arrives.
Where you can and can’t mark
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You can mark on streets, sidewalks, and telephone poles.
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You CANNOT lay marks on private property or sacred sites.
Mark consistently
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Lay marks every 50–100 yards, closer in dense terrain.
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If the trail follows a well-defined path, marks can be farther apart.
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On rough, undefined ground, marks must be much closer together
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Rule of thumb: The next mark should be visible from the one before it.
Highlight turns and intersections
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Increase marks when the trail changes direction to ensure clarity.
Intersections
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Every intersection must have at least one true trail leading out.
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Three flour marks or three hash marks (X) after an intersection confirm the true trail.
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A true-trail mark should be within 100–200 meters after every intersection (about 2–3 minutes walking distance).
Hidden but findable
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Marks can be discreet (behind trees, on posts), but they must be visible to those looking for them.
Street crossings & pavement safety
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Use crosswalks or traffic lights when possible.
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Keep the pack on sidewalks when running on pavement.
Avoid confusion
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Do not cross a true trail with another true trail—this misleads the pack and earns the hare some well-deserved accusations.
Limit check backs
Extremely long check backs are discouraged—100–300 meters is a reasonable range.
Night Trail Considerations
🌙 Keep marks closer together at night to prevent the pack from getting lost in the dark.
🔦 Use highly visible materials like white chalk, reflective tape, or glow sticks (but remove them afterward).
🚫 Avoid colored chalk—it’s hard to see, especially in low light.
🌕 Full Moon Trail? Remind the pack to prepare accordingly—and don’t forget your own boshi. We don’t want anyone getting moon burn!
Using Strategy & Deception Without Ruining the Trail
Use imagination, deception, and illusions—but the trail must still be followable.
The goal is for the pack to chase the hares, so keep it challenging but fair.
Discouraged Tatics
❌ Pre-marking any part of the trail.
🚗 Using a vehicle or bicycle to move between sections while setting the trail.
⚠️ Laying misleading false trails (e.g., placing false marks after a confirmed true trail).
✅ A well-marked trail keeps the pack engaged, hares ahead, and the fun going! 🎉
Hare Tactics: Outsmarting the Pack
Not getting caught is a matter of cleverness (and luck), not speed. Don’t double back—you’re bound to run into a Short-Cutting Bastard (SCB). Most live hares are caught by SCBs, not Front Running Bastards (FRBs)!
Use strategic trail tricks to slow down the FRBs:
These are just a few ideas—check out the Chalk Talk page for more!
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Turtle Checks – FRBs must wait for the DFLs before moving on.
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Fish Hooks – Send them back with a beer to deliver to the hounds at the back (who are probably very thirsty).
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Song Checks – Make them wait for a large group to sing before continuing.
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Beer Quest – Send them on a hunt to find all the cans you hid—and remember, hashers don’t know how to count!
If you do get snared, don’t sweat it—you’ll take a down-down, and the hasher who caught you gets a patch. It’s really a win-win. But remember—never hand over your chalk! It only counts as a caught hare if the hasher who snared you marks the spot where you were caught, including the time, their name, and then gives you another five-minute head start.
Balancing the Pack
⏳ DFLs (Dead F*cking Last) should reach the Beer Check and On-In within 10–15 minutes of the FRBs.
🏃♂️ If the slower hashers say the run was a cakewalk while the FRBs ran their asses off—you nailed it!
⚠️ Too many checks = annoying. Trail-laying is more art than science—the best way to learn is by being both Hare and Hound!