A Guide to Trail Markings
used by the Savannah H3
A "chalk talk" will be conducted prior to each trail. During the chalk talk, the Hare will demonstrate and explain the conventional marks (listed below) for the benefit of virgins and/or visitors. He/she will also demonstrate and explain any non-conventional markings or materials that will be used to mark the trail.
The following is a list of "conventional" trail marks that are depicted in various colors. Actual trail marks may appear in any color and it has no effect on the meaning of the mark.
A blob of flour, or "hash," indicates a trail. The flour may be colored or something may be substituted for the flour. This will be explained during the "chalk talk" prior to the start of the hash. In many Hashes, three consecutive blobs of "hash" equates to "true trail." Savannah H3 does not adhere to this rule, however, and "bad trails" and "blow jobs" (explained below) may consist of more than three blobs of "hash."
A circle with an "x" in it is known as an "intersection" or a "check" and indicates that the trail may change directions here. It could proceed in any direction withinin a 369 hash degree arc, but will not go back the way it came. The "intersection" is also an indication of "true trail," however one or more "false trails" may split off from here.
A circle with an "dot" in it is known as a "boob check" it works the same as an intersection, however, if you are the first male Hasher there you should wait for the first female hasher to "show" then you can look for trail or if "no show" she should look for trail while you wait. This also works in reverse for the speedy female hashers. It could proceed in any direction withinin a 369 hash degree arc, but will not go back the way it came. The "intersection" is also an indication of "true trail," however one or more "false trails" may split off from here
Three parallel lines made perpendicular to the trail, indicates that you are on a "false trail" also known as a "bad trail" or "BT." You must return to the last "intersection" and begin looking in a different direction for the "true trail." Sometimes a false trail will just peter out and not be marked with the three lines. This is known as a "blow job" and the hare should be treated to a down-down if "blow jobs" or are encountered on the trail. Long "false trails" are often referred to as "YBF"s (You've Been F**cked) but are marked with the same three lines.
An arrow with three perpendicular lines across its shaft, always indicates "true trail," and "true trail" always leads to beer
. These arrows may only be made by the hare and are therefore known as "hare arrows."
Hounds may also make arrows, or "pack marks," but they lack the three lines across the shaft. Pack marks may or may not indicate "true trail." Follow pack marks at your own risk.
A circle with a number inside is known as a "back check", and it means that you must count back the number of marks indicated, and then treat that mark as if it were an "intersection." In this example, you would count back 5 marks (ie. blobs of flour) and then branch out in search of trail.
A "B" with a check mark indicates a "beer check." It may be accompanied by an arrow indicating the direction to the beer, as it may be stashed off the trail a bit to preclude thirsty passersby (non-hashers) from helping themselves. Front Running Bastards (FRBs) must imbibe and should wait until the Dead Fu*king Last (DFL) hound arrives before proceeding on trail. The beer check is meant both to provide refreshment and to regroup the pack.
The circle with a puff of flour in the center is called a "boob check." This mark is the same as an intersection, but only a "Harriette" may look for trail or she can display her boobs to allow the pack to continue. The pack should not proceed until a woman finds "true trail."
The "turkey-eagle split" means that the trail proceeds in two different directions from this point. The "T" (for turkey) indicates a shorter or less challenging route, and the "E" (for eagle) indicates the longer or more challenging route. The trail will eventually rejoin somewhere before the trail ends, or at the end itself. Note the three lines across the shaft of the arrow. This is a modification of the "hare arrow." Therefore it is also an indication of "true trail" and can only be made by the hare.
If you see "ON-ON" written in chalk or flour, it means you are on "true trail" and are headed in the correct direction. If it reads "NO-NO," you're going the wrong way,
turn around and go the other direction.
"BN" simply means "beer near." It means that there is beer located within 100 yards or so. It may be used leading up to a "beer check," or near the end of the trail.
When you see "On-In" it normally indicates that the end of the trail is near, usually within 100 yards or so. You may also see this mark at other points along the trail, such as on a pub crawl, located in front of an establishment that serves refreshments. In this instance you do exactly as it says, you go "On-In."
Other, non-conventional, marks or materials may be used, but they need to be explained at the "chalk talk."
