VTH3 run #594

SUNDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2013
Long Hai Mountains

We experienced a number of “firsts” on Sunday: first time the bus was late, first time we had rain from start to finish of a run, first time for several virgin hashers, first time two dogs were separately carried over a mountain, first time anyone walked the mountains in bare feet, first time we actually crossed a mountain, first time we had more than one pit stop on the way home before even reaching the highway (all the rain, perhaps?) – and the big one: first time our revered Hash Cash OXO acknowledged that maybe she’d better stay behind than risk giving birth on the Long Hai Mountains!

Yes folks, it was a great day all round.  Late start because the bus driver got lost (before we’d even started!), and then the rain came down as we reached Long Hai town – just in time for Bus
Captain KFC to purchase a few plastic “condoms” for fellow Hashers who might have been unprepared for such inclement weather.

Leading Hare Falcon briefed the multinational group of 37 Hashers as we dismounted in the rain; and “On On” we went for about 1 km along a dirt track through some “outer suburbs” until reaching the foothills.  Then it was a right turn and onto what were possibly designed to be the famous “3 steps to heaven”, except someone miscounted and it was closer to 3,000!!!

On and on, up and up we went until the steps morphed into a rock-strewn track that went occasionally up, down, along or around – in no particular order!

We trecked through several types of undergrowth, most of it quite dense but not impenetrable, until we reached a cluster of huge rocks on top of the mountain – where it was time for a water stop to take in the view, before slip-sliding down the other side in the mud.

After what must have been the longest trek we’ve experienced for some time, we eventually emerged into the familiar Minh Dam Base car park – ideal position for a Circle and Down Down!

An indication of the distance covered is that it took the bus about 15 minutes from our start point to reach the car park by road – and we’d done it over a mountain!

It was a lively Circle, opened with a charge against Uncle for going the wrong way – and immediately countered by a charge against all the “sheep” who followed him!

Faulty Brakes gave the trail an “excellent” 9 out of 10 and Hares Falcon and KFC were given a standing ovation for such a brilliant effort.  A shoeless KFC then displayed a novel way of “waterfalling” two drinks at the same time – to thunderous applause!

Four virgins were welcomed, multiple sinners punished, and two new names “christened”:  Tarun Malik is no more – welcome Punjabi Express!  Similarly, Darryl Baker will henceforth be known as Hot Dog (don’t ask!).

DJ Mowgli took charge of entertainment on the ride home – where old favourites Maggie May, Wild Rover, Ho Chi Minh and more were raucously delivered between multiple pit stops!

Next Sunday, 22 September, will be a local trail – probably on Small Mountain but to be confirmed in the midweek Hashflyer_595 and the www.vungtauhash.com NEXT RUN box.

VTH3 #594 photo gallery >>>