You might have seen us running around in weird outfits, singing dirty songs, or making mysterious flour symbols in your local woods.
Behind all this madness is a very fun tradition called "hashing." The Hash House Harriers are groups all over the world that play a type of scavenger hunt similar to paper chase or hare & hounds. The Burlington group hashes every Wednesday in the warm season. We have 1 or 2 people (the "Hares") plan a 2-5 mile trail somewhere around Chittenden county. Might be downtown, might be on a mountain, it's all up to the hares to decide.
They head out ahead of everyone else (the "Hounds") stocked with flour and beer. Along the way, the hares lay flour marks on the ground which tell the pack where to go. Sometimes those marks might have everyone stop to sing a song or tell a (hopefully funny) joke. Most trails have 2 extra long stops where the pack catches up and grabs some beer. Below are some of the marks you might encounter. Don't worry about memorizing them though - we always explain them at the start!
At the end, everyone circles up to enjoy a drink and laugh about all the stupid shenanigans that happened on trail.
Just like thru-hikers and drag queens, we have silly descriptive names that we call ourselves by. If you come to trails regularly and we get to know you more, the group will give you a name of your own!
Our community is very welcoming and inclusive. You do not need to run and we never leave anyone behind. Walkers catch up with the group during song and joke stops.
While it's true we do ♥️ beer, drinking is not required at all. What makes hashing really fun is the adventure and camaraderie!
Can't make Wednesday nights? Come join Von Tramp Hash House Harriers on Saturday afternoons instead!