VTH3 run #590

SUNDAY, 18 AUGUST 2013
Mountain Goat Special #4 – Big Mountain

We expected a downturn in numbers this week because of Long Tan Day (Australian memorial service) and several other “Hasher movements”.  However, what our 17 Hashers lacked in numbers they made up for in diversity, with no less than 12 nationalities being represented: England, Australia, Vietnam, Russia, Ukraine, USA, Romania, Norway, Japan, India, Netherlands and Germany – showing once again that VungTauHash is a microcosm of the global Hash
community!

A bilingual run briefing took place outside Offshore Bar 1 (Mountain Goat, translator Mapdraw, and safety aspects from Uncle), then it was “On On” – and on, on, on, on, on for what seemed like enough time to reach Ba Ria before we eventually turned left and “On On” became “Up Up”!

We soon discovered that this was going to be not only a long trail but also a demanding one. 
Mountain Goat is well-named, but she’s also a very savvy Hare – alternating vertical climbs with scenic horizontal trails.  She cleverly threw in a few descents to rest weary legs as well, but we
knew that “for every down there’s another up”, and that’s precisely how it went: Up, along, down, up, along, down – almost the entire eastern length of the several kilometres-long Big Mountain!

And did we mention that this was all mostly through dense undergrowth? (Hash Flash’s excuse for not taking as many photos as usual is that he needed both hands to keep himself upright most of the time!)

Although no-one had taken advantage of the alternative shorter trail as we passed it on the outward leg, a few Hashers changed their minds on the way back – noticeable by the sudden “silence of the hills” that replaced the hitherto almost non-stop “On On” calls that had been resounding across the mountainside to keep everyone reassured they were heading in the right
direction.

A dozen or so weary but happy Hashers finally made it to the Down Down location – leaving some fellow Hashers taking “religious experiences” at a massive pagoda on the mountain.

Mother Teresa and Mountain Goat presented a delightful spread of pork and Russian breads (including some from Ukraine, we were proudly informed by Mapdraw!).  It was all washed down with “free flow” amber nectar, before a spontaneous standing ovation for Hare par excellence Mountain Goat – yes folks, she and Hashputin had done it again with a Mountain Goat Special (#4) that exceeded even their high standards!

The location for next Sunday’s run will be advised in Hashflyer #591 midweek, and/or keep an eye on the www.vungtauhash.com “Next Run” box.

VTH3 #590 photo gallery >>>