What the bloody marks mean

A little chalk, a little flour and a whole lot of misplaced confidence. These are common hash marks, not a universal instruction manual. The hare’s chalk talk always takes precedence: check what THIS trail uses before the pack wanders off.

→ On trail

An arrow or a trail mark points you onwards. Call “On on!” when you’ve found the trail so the pack can follow, rather than keeping your brilliant discovery to yourself.

○ Check

The trail could go in more than one direction. Spread out and look. Ask at the briefing how many marks confirm true trail; guessing is a fine way to become the evening’s entertainment.

F False trail

The hare has taken the piss. Turn back to the previous decision point and try again. Do not bravely continue into somebody’s garden.

BN Beer near

A refreshment stop is getting close. Near is an optimistic word, especially when uttered by a hare.

B / BC Beer check

Stop and regroup for refreshments. Water counts. Check the hare’s version of the symbol before making any ambitious assumptions.

Other marks

Backchecks, fishhooks, short cuts and hold checks vary between packs. If you don’t recognise a mark, ask. The cleverest hasher is the one who gets home with the pack.