VTH3 run #589

   

SUNDAY, 11 AUGUST 2013
Long Hai Mountains: from telegraph pole #8 to lookout rocks at Minh Dam Base

Some new and some “old” faces this week among the 36 intrepid Hashers who boarded the ageing Hashmobile outside OSB1 at 2.30 pm: including Terminator’s family friends, UXO’s sister, former GM Golden Finger, his partner Cricket, and returnee Panty.

All were entertained by a session of “dueling coaches” as we met another bus on a bend in the access road to Minh Dam Base car park, but order was soon restored and our somewhat lighter bus continued to grind its way up the hill – “somewhat lighter” because some Hashers decided they preferred leg power to horse power, and walked/ran up the hill!

After that exciting start to the trip, what else was in store, we wondered?  It didn’t take long to find out after we’d turned off the road at telegraph pole number #8 and plunged into undergrowth so dense that Hash Flash couldn’t take any photos for quite some time!

“On On and Up Up” was the cry – until we encountered “forward scout” Hard Drive directing traffic to a lookout spot off the main trail.  And some lookout spot it was, too – boulders piled high on top of the peak, with strong wind gusts from the approaching rainstorm threatening to blow some of the more adventurous climbers right off the top (we were reminded at this stage that Hashers run “at their own risk”!).

A spot of first aid from the “duty medic” for some lost skin, and we were off again – back to the main trail which eventually led to steps in the mountainside taking us down, down through several photo opportunities, across a bridge and up into the Minh Dam Base car park.

Time for a relaxing chat over snacks courtesy Mother Teresa and drinks courtesy San Miguel, then we were ready for the Circle, where former GM Golden Finger entertained everyone with an exuberant display that showed he’s lost none of his skill over the years.

Terminator awarded Hares Falcon and Hard Drive a favourable run score of 9 (1 point deducted because the trail was so enjoyable we all wanted it to last longer!).

Virgins welcomed, sinners penalized, and Yuri will forever more be known as – no, not Gagarin as you might expect, nor Space Pilot – but the somewhat “out there” Space Cadet!

Then the rain arrived – leaving time only for Panty to Down Down several beers to pay for wearing a “condom” in public (and a spotted one, at that!).

And so we journeyed home, albeit tentatively at first because of suspected “faulty brakes” (no, not our GM), and the need to pick up some Hashers who preferred to walk/run down the hill!

A new song was introduced by GF: “Nick, Nack, Paddy Whack” (see “VTH3 Songs” on our new website http://vungtauhash.com .  It was to no avail, however, as OXO had prepared song sheets (seriously!) for the Moscow Mixed Choir and they took the honours in a canter – even old favourites Maggie May and Ho Chi Minh couldn’t get a look-in this week!

An excellent day, by all accounts – thanks to Hares Falcon and Hard Drive, former GM Golden Finger, and everyone else whose collective participation added to the enjoyment!

Next week will be another Mountain Goat Special on Big Mountain.  More details to follow in Hashflyer #590 midweek (and http://vungtauhash.com “Next Run” box today).

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VTH3 #589 photo gallery >>>