Hare Keng Guan Chen
Place Km 162 on the old Ipoh Road
There is always plenty of parking at this run site with easy access into the rubber plantation. While this was a virgin hare run it was known that he had enlisted Rambo as co-hare so no one was expecting a short run.
Some Hashes have a tradition of the GM leading the pack out to the first check. This isn’t possible at Petaling as the GM was seen to be short cutting even before the first check (and in the wrong direction). When the first check was called I was on the other side of the valley with Graham Woods and Gary Murrell, both of whom claimed to be able to interpret where the trail would be leading next. Following their sound advice a group of us proceeded down the valley catching up with Wolfgang who was leading his entire family astray. Eventually I was forced to concede defeat with our route and follow the family Druba as they bashed down the terraces back onto the trail.
At the next check I was once again on the wrong side of a valley. Knowing the co-hare’s propensity for water I dropped down into the stream to find a good set of fresh footprints in the sand. Encouraged I followed the stream to find the expected paper. Now being FROP I had the pleasure of running down a crystal clear stream. A change from my usual position in the pack which means I only see stirred up muddy water hiding unexpectedly deep pools. After coming out on a clear cut area that was contributing to the recent haze as it still smouldered away and Zig Zaging up the hill I was caught by Barry Sage and Dave Settergren. We again saw the short cutting GM ahead of us, once more ignoring paper. The paper could clearly be seen dropping down a ravine and then going up the cleared area to some remaining trees on the top of the ridge. Not wanting to waste height by crossing the ravine, and being sure there was a check at the top of the ridge, I tried to be clever and headed to the top of the valley hoping to find paper. No paper meant a climb up the ridge to the anticipated check. Unfortunately that meant climbing up through a field of waist high saw grass leaving me with multiple cuts to my legs. Next time follow the paper. The hare took everyone over the ridge and after bashing down my own trail I eventually found the pack crossing another stream below the ridge.
By this time my brief spell as FROP and the Hokkien Mee I had inadvisably had for a late lunch were taking their toll so my stamina was beginning to fade.
The next check was once more in a stream where a local couple were trying to have a discrete bath while surrounded by a milling pack. Colin Hercus later complained that the lady kept on sending him in the wrong direction. I think all she wanted was some privacy in her al fresco bathroom.
After climbing through the rubber we came on another check which proved disconcerting. The On-call was along the side of the hill. The pack followed little pieces of torn paper for at least 500m along overgrown rubber terraces and I was beginning to get concerned that whoever was laying the paper was leading us astray. Luckily the trail proper had been running parallel on the ridge and we successfully rejoined paper.
My recollection of the rest of the trail is limited apart from being surprised by a passing visitor sporting an alternative hash kit looking more like a tailored football strip complete with studded shoes.
Apparently the first runner in was just under 1 hour 40 minutes so a short run by Rambo’s standards. When I arrived back 5 minutes later the short cutting GM was already home and muttering about a 10 weeker. As Hugh has nearly finished his year and he had yet to give out a penalty run he thought this was the day.
At this point the Hare’s generous donation of a pig trundled onto the site.
I did not make it to the On On but later met up with the Hash at the Triple On in the Backyard, Hugh amongst them. (He was allowed out this weekend as Win was in China spending his money). It turned out he had listened to the wiser council of other hashers and awarded the run a T-shirt.
Well done to the Virgin Hare! (and Rambo)