VTH3# 999

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MARCH 13 2022
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BIG MOUNTAIN

Hares: Chippy, Secs, Chom Chom
Hash Flashers: Secs, Chom Chom, Have-A-Chat
Ringmaster: Chom Chom
Report: Secs

The usual hive of activity at Tommy’s as our worker bees gather the supplies for this week’s trail on Big Mountain. Eskies are filled with ice and our favourite Saigon Beer, soft drinks, banh mi and fruit. Faulty Brakes is on registration duty as he gathers the fees for today’s run. Once everyone has assembled and the beer truck is loaded we jump onto motorbikes, in to cars and ride bicycles to our preferred spot on the beach at Tran Phu opposite the Mother Maria complex.

Once we arrive one of our Hares, Secs, delivers the chalk talk, pointing to the foot of the steps and explaining that we should climb the 820 steps until we reach the cross at the top of the mountain. After the cross, look out for the red marker ribbons, which take us into forest and along the ridge of Big Mountain until we exit the forest on the Ho May Park path, follow the path until we see red ribbons pointing us back in to the forest and continue along the trail until we come to the 620 steps that will descend to the Chinese style Buddhist temple. This will bring us back to Tran Phu and a short walk back to where we started.

With just a little trepidation we start to climb the stairs.. It’s not long before we meet the 34m statue of the Mother of God, standing proudly at 60m above sea level. Several “Hail Marys” were uttered as Hashers prayed for the strength to get them to the end of the seemingly never-ending stairs. However, we steadily plodded on, taking breaks to catch our breath and take photos of the striking seascape below us. 

Thankfully, we arrive at the 3m tall cross, the relentless sun has taken its toll and we take time to rehydrate, cool off in the strong balmy breeze. It was worth it, feeling like we are on top of the world, Kings (and Queens) of the Mountain, we behold our domain below. However, no rest for the wicked, we  plough on (on) down beyond the cross thankful for the shade provided by the trees and the lovely breeze. A pleasant walk through the forest, onto Ho May Park road and soon we begin to make our way down the 620 steps. With our legs trembling, we arrive at the bottom pleased that it is only a short walk to the beach and the ice-cold beer awaiting us.

We dig into the eskies for ice-cold drinks and feast on banh mi and watermelon before Chom Chom calls the circle, where the Hares are rated with a 10/10 trail, we welcome back long lost Hasher Astro Mum who has been living in Italy for the last few years. Just time to remind everybody that next week will be celebrating Run 1000 with a weekend away at Ta Cu Mountain and Coco Beach Camp. The eskies are emptied loaded onto the beer truck and we head back to Tommy’s where usual suspects enjoy woodfired pizza, Saigon Chill the usual Sunday night entertainment at Tommy’s.

On-On

RUN 999 GALLERY

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