Dear Pecker,

I wish you and all hashers Happy New Year!

Please find attached run report and some photos of Gulf Inter Hash in November 2004.

GULF INTERHASH 2004 IN CITY OF MUSCAT.

First run on Wednesday 17th November

There were approx 200 hashers from all over the Gulf countries. Some of them came from different corners of Europe to participate this Inter Gulf 2004 Hash event organised by two Muscat Hash clubs, Muscat H3 and Jebel H3.

After registration in Majan hotel on Wednesday afternoon, four busses transported the hashers to the first run site, outside of the City of Muscat. The weather was naturally sunny and hot, no surprises there. There were three runs available; walk, gallop and ball breaker. Before start the yellow dressed hares told the rules and showed how the run and check points were marked with flour. After some clarifications, the hares shouted ON ON and blew the horn signalling all hashers to start running. But the problem was choosing where to run to! All directions were available. All hashers were so energetic for this first run that they did not have to wait for any last orders. There was one hare shouting “Ball breakers, ball breakers!”… and another shouting “Gallop, gallop!”…After public havoc was wreaked the hashers found their way to the right or, in some cases, the wrong trail.

The run site was in large valley in the middle of rocky, treeless mountains, in Arabic called jebel. Wherever you look you only see the rock, stones and sand. The main colour of this view is brown with its different variations. The gallop run snaked through the valley along dry rivers, in Arabic called wadi. Two of our hares were running with us to make sure that we were all keeping on the right trail. It was hardly running, more like power walking and looking for the right place for your trainer in this stony trail, and trying keep yourself in balance. I think these hares had been in the army not so long ago, or are at this very moment as their orders were so strict: “Is this hash you busters….”. “What are you doing? Its check, checking…checking…”. All the checks were back checks but hashers, as they were bound to, found all checks. It was slowly getting dark when last hashers finished their run and came back from their rock, sand stone sight seeing.

The hash circle was at run site. All kinds of drinks were available and hashers greeted them with warmth and enthusiasm. The hash circle began with agenda on the congratulations of the first run of the Inter Gulf 2004. All hares and the organisation committee were put on ice. There was even a bagpiper giving beat for this hash circle.

On On was at the Majan hotel poolside with a buffet and disco.

Second run on Thursday 18th November

November 18 was Oman National Day. But for hashers this was a run day just as any other day. Again there were four busses called to transport the hashers, this time to the second run site, which was further away from Muscat, and a little closer to the mountains. This time the available runs were stagger, canter and nut cracker. After some clarifications On On was shouted and in this time there was no confusion of the direction, as all runs went the same way.

As in the previous run this time too the start was along a dry river surrounded by hills. It was long queue of hashers following the On On shouts. When it came time for the first check the run continued from the top of the first hill. And after the second checkpoint the run continued again along with dry river bottom. First stagger run turned and after some time the canter run turned aside, following their own trail. The Nut cracker run continued first up the hill and them back down to follow the river. I noticed that we were still running on a trail, and towards the scorching sun. Where hell were we supposed to turn back to the trail? After running for a while we went over a neck of land continuing along with another dry river. And, finally, we turned back. The next checkpoint was along the river in the middle of the high mountains, and the run continued up their steep slopes. The rock climbers up front shouted “Beware; rolling stones” Luckily nobody didn’t get a falling stone onto his head. Without ropes and other climbing equipment we managed to reach the peak of the mountain. Next stop K2! The reward for this climb was well worth the effort. A magnificent view over the valleys faraway to the City and the Sea, and far to the other peaks of the mountains. The trail continued over the ridge to the next peak which started slowly going downhill. The Sun was setting and we had to pick up our speed to reach the run site before dark. Thanks to our hares as they chose an easy trail back to the run site. Otherwise it would have been hard to make it in the dark. The last part of the run was a climb down from the hill to the spotlighted run site where forerunners were enjoying their first, second or third well earned beer.

Circle continued long in the dark Gulf night witnessing by the Moon crescent.

On On was at the Majan hotel with food, cabaret and disco.

Both runs together with magnificent fireworks for Oman National Day, made this Gulf Inter Hash one of the most memorable hashes.

Scribe: By Jaalinoja, Esko
Date: 30-12-2004

• Photos, by Jaalinoja, Esko

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