VTH3# 960

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NOVEMBER 22 2020
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BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Anagram, Bull Ant, Chippy
Hash Flashers: Chom Chom, Secs, Mr. T, Chippy
Ringmaster: NA
Report: Secs

This Sunday saw us on a local trail - the first local trail in several weeks. Our Hares, Chippy, Bull Ant and Anagram had laboriously set this challenging trail the previous Thursday. In fact, reports of the difficulty of this trail prompted Mismanagement to offer some alternative trails.

While Zany Zidane processed registrations, a procession of helpful hashers gathered the supplies for this week. Copious amounts of beer, soft drinks, fruit and this week’s delicacy of roasted pork are lovingly ensconced in the eskies and swaddled with ice. With preparations now complete we get ready for the off.

Secs explains that this week there will be three options:

1. Chippy’s Bamboo Bonanza - a difficult but rewarding trail that will involve steep climbs, scrambling over precarious rocks and fighting through thick bamboo.
2. Mr. T’s Power Line - a familiar but tough trail without too many obstacles 
3. Faulty Brakes’ Hash Lite - an easier but still challenging walk to Ho May Park on Vi Ba

Asking for a show of hands as to which trail Hashers wanted, an overwhelming majority chose the difficult option 1 - we’d expect nothing less from our hardy Hashers.

So it's on-on we go. The majority heading out the back of our Hash Home Tommy’s and a subset following Mr. T and Faulty Brakes down Le Ngoc Han.

Getting out of the back of Tommy’s is the first challenge - after hopping on to makeshift crates in to the thick jungle we make our way up what is to be the first of a steep slope. Pulling ourselves up by grabbing tree after tree we eventually emerge on Vi Ba road.

Undeterred after this first challenge we skip down Vi Ba under a crystalline blue sky until we reach the hill that would take us up to Chon Khong Monastery however instead of heading on to the temple we are diverted off the right and up a colourful staircase which leads to an adjoining pagoda. Red ribbons lead us to an inconspicuous path into the bush. 

This acclivitous narrow path takes us over and under fallen trees and rocky steps until we come out at a clearing. Here the ever diligent Anagram points us to where we are going - a formidable rock juts out from the crest of the mountain. Last chance for anyone who wishes to turn back. Surprise, surprise, only one hasher opts to head back to base citing the wrong shoes for such an endeavour. 

So on-on we go again into the bush and onto the next challenging climb. We clamber over the aforementioned precarious rocks helping each other as we go. And, oh boy, was it worth it! At the top we are treated to one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Vung Tau and the surrounding area. A crystal clear vista of the distant mountains of one of our favourite stomping grounds, Long Hai and a unique view of Small Mountain all framed by an azure blue sky.

Sitting on the rocks we stop to rehydrate and cool off in the fresh sea breeze and, by jove, did we need it. The next leg of the trail was to prove to be the most challenging.

No sooner have we left the breezy rock we find ourselves in thick bamboo where it's definitely an advantage to be vertically challenged. With very little headroom we hunker down and crawl commando  style for what seems like an eternity (actually only 1km) desperately searching for the next red ribbon to point us in the right direction. A well deserved shout out to the Hares for some excellent marking of this part of the trail.

Eventually there is a light at the end of the bamboo tunnel and we are relieved to emerge relatively unscathed at the familiar and spectacular ‘top of the powerlines’. After a well deserved rest and the obligatory selfies we brace ourselves for the tricky descent down yet another steep and rocky path. With gravity on our side and trembling legs we cautiously plod our way down. Happy to be back on Vi Ba it’s a short walk down the steps to Le Ngoc Han and back to Tommy’s.

Back at Tommy’s we meet up with the other Hashers who look comparatively fresh after their Powerline Light trail. The eskies are raided as we inhale ice cold beverages to quench our thirst. Our Hash House caterers prepare the smorgasbord of delights and soon the buffet is open for business. Roast pork, baguettes, bananas, watermelon, cake are all eagerly wolfed down by our hungry Hashers.

Just enough time to take the team photo and not enough time for a circle this week and our hashers drift off into the twilight tired but triumphant.

Another great Sunday afternoon - thanks to all who helped.

Until next week - On-On!

RUN 960 GALLERY

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