Thoos Blog
Hashing 101
April 1st, 2007
So you have heard of hashing and you are thinking of giving it a try. You probably know that hashers take turns being the hares and that, as hares, they lay a trail using dollops of flour (or cornmeal) that the rest of the hashers (the hounds) try to follow. Since the idea is to keep the group together, there are false trails and loops used to slow down the faster runners. You can run a little or a lot, jog slow, or even walk the trail. While that’s a great start for learning about hashing, here are some other important things to know.
Go to the hash with a very open mind, if you’re easily offended this is not the place for you. The hash is full of silly, often dirty/sexual, songs. There is also generally rowdy behavior. If this makes you uncomfortable, the hash might not be the place for you. While all things are done in the light of fun, if you feel that you are being made part of something you don’t like, just excuse yourself from it. There tend to be a few hashers in every group that are more gregarious than the rest; if you fit with them, fine, if not, find the others. Don’t let the idea of a few hard partyers put you off though. The hash can be fun for just about everyone with one exception: the hash is not a family activity, so please leave your kids at home.
If you don’t drink (or want to drink) alcohol, just make it known and keep your resolve. Just because the hash is a drinking club with a running problem doesn’t mean you have to drink alcohol (or run actually). If you don’t drink alcoholic beverages or if you just prefer not to indulge on a certain occasion, just let it be known (so that people don’t accidentally serve you beer) and stick to it. Once people get the idea, they will leave you alone. Most hashes try very hard to let everyone know that it is perfectly acceptable to abstain from alcohol. It’s a good idea, however, to bring your own water or drink of some sort on your first trail just in case the hash didn’t prepare for you. There should always be some water handy and a few nonalcoholic beverages on hand, but just to be sure it’s helpful to bring your own until you know how well the group is prepared.
Every hash house is different. Not all hashes were created equal. There are different rules everywhere so just stay alert to what seems to be the norm where you are. At some hashes it’s fine to wear a hat or point at people in the circle, but at others these offenses will earn you a chance to drink while being sung to. Just remember the old cliche “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Just follow the general behavior of the other hashers. You’ll catch on quickly enough.
Never wear new shoes. Now pay attention: If you wear new shoes to a hash (or even shoes that look new) you’ll probably be drinking out of them by the end of the night. Don’t do it. Don’t do it. Don’t do it.
So what can you expect when you show up? Here’s a quick rundown of how a first hash might go:
You arrive on time to the start of the hash. Hashers arrive and may have a beer (or two) before starting. Your first task is to find out if you need to sign in. Let people know this is your first hash. Introduce yourself. Get to know some of the other hashers. The hares should do a quick chalk talk, explaining what kind of markings to look for. If it’s a live trail the hares will leave and the pack will follow in a few minutes. If it’s a dead trail the hares will point the way to the first bit of trail. You and the other hounds will follow a trail, normally laid in flour, but also possibly laid in chalk, cornmeal, or one of thousands of other substances. Follow trail and eventually you’ll arrive at the beer check. Have a drink and a rest, and then continue following trail. At the end (on in), enjoy some tasty food and go mingle. Eventually the circle (also called religion) will start. Stand and do what you are told to do. At some point, you will be honored with a down-down for being new. Just enjoy yourself and listen to what’s happening. Try to participate as much as you comfortably can. Once circle is over, you can either leave or find out if there is an on on on, or on after. This would probably be at someone’s house or at a bar/restaurant. It’s just more social time with hashers.
It may seem like hashers speak a whole different language, but really it’s just a few words here and there that are part of the hash lingo. Here are a few important terms to know, you can pick up the rest as you go. Don’t be afraid to ask!
On-on!
“I’m on trail. Follow me.”
Are you?
“Are you on trail?”
Checking.
“I’m not on trail but I might be. I’m looking to be sure.”
On-in.
Then ending point of the trail.
Beer check.
Usually a half way point to have something to drink and rest for a minute.
FRB(s), Front Running Bastard(s).
The person/people who arrive to the beer check or on in first, not always the fastest runners.
DFL Dead Fucking Last.
That’s pretty obvious. It’s the people who arrive last.
Want to learn more about these crazy runners? With more than 1600 groups worldwide in every major city, there is plenty of information to be found:
- Read a brief history of the Hash.
- Another Hashing primer.
- Find a Hash near you.
- The World Hash House Harriers Home Page
This article was originally contributed by Jesslyn Cummings and appeared on RunningPlaces.com (the predecessor to Thoos).
Now display search results in map or list views
February 15th, 2007
Up until now, all search results in Thoos were displayed in a default “List View.” While the List View allows you to sort by different criteria, there was something lacking. Now you can also display those search results on an interactive Google map. Not sure what view you want? Just use the tabs at the top of the search results to flip back and forth.
(NEW) Map View
(DEFAULT) List View
Real-time stream flows and river conditions - UPDATED
February 7th, 2007
We are proud to announce that we have added a new feature to the site that will be a tremendous aid to fly fisherman and paddlers across the country. Our newest feature is a searchable map displaying real-time water data and river conditions across the entire United States.
We now offer (absolutely free) current water conditions for over 8000 locations across the United States. So, if you are a fisherman or paddler, you can use this new tool to check out stream flows before you head out the door. We update them every single hour - however some stations may only report every 2-3 hours. With one quick search you can get all stream flows within a 150 miles radius in a simple and convenient map interface.
Currently, most of the reporting stations are just USGS stations. In the near future, we plan to add more water reporting stations.
Thoos gets a new look and a redesigned homepage
January 22nd, 2007
After much revision, we finally relaunched Thoos with a new look. Unless you visit often, you might not notice many of the changes, but if you have ever visited the site before I’m sure you will have noticed the new homepage. After much deliberation, we came up with a homepage design that we feel works best with the rest of the site. Leave us your comments (below) and let us know what YOU think about the new design and usability.
Build Your Own Fishing Boat
January 15th, 2007
Materials Needed:
- 1 4′x8′ sheet of home insulation foam board
- 1 lawn chair
- 4 2″x4″x8′ cut into 4 pieces
- 8 bungee straps
- 12 pack of Miller Lite or Bud Lite
Here is the finished product. Car battery and trolling motor are optional equipment, but highly recommended. Paddling this craft is a bit tricky and might cause you to spill your beer. Warning - not suggested for use in white water more technical than Class IV.
Run the Rockies: Classic Trail Runs in Colorado’s Front Range
January 3rd, 2007
Author: Steven Bragg
Publisher: Colorado Mountain Club Press/Mountaineers Books
Retail: $16.95
Excellent Rating and Description System
Rating trail difficulty can be very subjective, particularly among locals on Colorado’s Front Range. Boulder is home to some of the best trail runners in the country, and a trail that they consider easy may be difficult to a novice or newcomer. Bragg has created a difficulty range of ‘easy’, ‘moderate’, and ‘difficult’ that is measured by total mileage and vertical gain of the route, thus avoiding personal opinion or running ability level.
Additionally, each trail is described with clear and detailed facts such as: a trail map, photo, and elevation profile for every run; average run time; distance; best season to run the trail; detailed directions to the trail; and special issues for consideration such dog rules, bikes, exposure to lightening.
Unique Highlights of the Guide
For runners who don’t want to carry the book with them, or just need to remember key details for the route, author has created a grey “GO” box for each run that breaks down the trail into easy to remember route directions. “GO” box directions can be quickly scribbled onto a scrap of paper to accompany you on your run.
Page 6 of the guide features a map with all 50 trails listed in the guide. All routes are color coded to identify difficulty level of easy, moderate, or difficult to facilitate finding a route in the particular area of the Front Range you’d like to run.
The Table of Contents is divided into geographic location and color coded by trail difficulty and special considerations (dogs, bikes, and lightning) which provide the reader quick navigation of the guide.
Friendly Advice for Beginning Trail Runners
Trail running on the Front Range is competitive for many locals. This guide welcomes newcomers into the sport by providing tips and advice that the “Big Dogs” may not tell you. The first twenty pages of the guide informs the reader about topics such as the mechanics of trail running; clothes, food and hydration; dangers on the trail; navigation; and wilderness responsibilities (leave no trace principles).
In Conclusion
The author has successfully identified many of the high quality and most popular trail runs along the Front Range, however we would have liked to see some Fort Collins area trail runs added to the guide, particularly the scenic and easily accessible Horsetooth Mountain Park area.
Overall it is a great guide, and when you don’t have computer access to look up information on Colorado trails at thoos.com, Run the Rockies: Classic Trail Runs in Colorado’s Front Range
is a great resource to Front Range trails for runners of all abilities.
Our Rating: 
Create maps of your favorite hikes, bike rides, and running routes
December 20th, 2006
Alot of sites have features like this one, but the Thoos mapping tool has a few other features that allow you to link the map to your personal profile and other pages within the site. Take a look at the new tool …
There you can see other maps Thoos members have created, create your own maps, and share them with friends. The interface is very easy to use and even easier to share with friends. Once you create your route map, it will be permanently saved on the site. You will then be provided with a URL that you can share with your friends.
In the News
November 9th, 2006
The following are a few links to articles or mentions that we have recently received. If you know of something we didn’t cover, tell us about it.
Press Exposure
Rocky Mountain Sports (November 2006)
Pulse 2.0 (October, 15, 2006)
Thoos.com, Social Network for the Great Outdoors
StaySafe.org (October 15, 2006)
Social sites for teens, others
Tech Rockies (October 13, 2006)
Thoos.com Launches Outdoor Social Networking Site
The Denver Post (October 13, 2006)
Buzz Shout (September 29, 2006)
http://www.buzzshout.com/listing.php?name=Thoos
ColoradoStartups.com (September 18, 2006)
Thoos, that, and the other thing
Press Releases
Social Networking for Outdoor Athletes (October 13, 2006)
Tips on How to Crew the Long-Distance Trail Race
November 6th, 2006
Crewing and pacing are rewarding ways to be part of a team, even if you’re not ready to compete.
Support crews provide assistance at aid stations. They drive from checkpoint to checkpoint, preparing clothing, gear, food, water, motivation, first aid, or whatever else is needed at the time. Pacers run with the runner for various legs, usually in the second half of a race. All support team members must become very familiar with the course and plan strategy with the runner before the race. Before the race study the course; run parts of it. Study aid stations and course markings. Read the entrants’ handbook and study the rules and other pertinent information.
Organize the vehicle so that it makes sense to the athlete and everyone working out of it.
Keep it clean and organized throughout the race so time is not wasted locating items.
Schedule crew rest breaks.
At least one crew member must be alert and well rested at all times. If there are only two crew members, plan to get little sleep. Crews should have a portable alarm clock.
Find out what each runner wants at each aid station and when he or she expects to be at each station. Arrive at least 45 minutes ahead of schedule and be ready with food, gear, or water. Stay ware of what is available for the runner.
Plan how you will get food and water for yourself.
Bring enough clothing to stay warm. It is easy for crews to forget about themselves. An ill crew member is useless to the runner.
Ascertain the crew members’ knowledge of blister treatment.
Find out how the runner normally prepares his or her feet before the race and how he or she prefers to handle blisters. At least one crew member should be knowledgeable in first aid and foot care.
At aid stations, have food, water, and gear ready in advance. Urge the runner to eat and drink even if he or she does not want to. Keep bringing water until the runner solidly refuses. Refill water bottles.
Keep the runner moving.
Don’t let him or her stop too long.
Above all else, the best pacers offer motivation and companionship while keeping the runner on the right course. Communication before the race is essential because in the latter stages of a race, a runner may not be thinking clearly or able to make coherent decisions. You should find out whether the runner wants you to run in front or behind, whether he or she prefers conversation or quiet, and whether there are points in the race when you should push him or her to go faster.
You should also be well aware of the rules of a race
; most races have a “no-muling” rule, which means you are not supposed to carry the runner’s clothes, food, water, or spare batteries. On the trail.
Bring plenty of batteries, bulbs, and flashlights for the nighttime portion.
Before the race, practice changing bulbs and batteries in the dark.
Monitor the pace carefully and keep the runner moving forward as close to the desired pace as possible.
Let the runner walk for a short period, if necessary, but remind him or her of the goal. If you run slightly in front of the runner, he or she will be motivated to keep up. If you are going uphill, ask whether he or she wants to be pushed. If so, go in front of the runner.
If the course becomes technical, go ahead and scout the best route.
Scout ahead for slippery or other tricky portions of the trail.
On turns, allow the runner to be on the inside.
Be positive and motivating.
The runner may not have the energy to respond, but he or she may appreciate the encouragement.
During the night or in the latter portions of the race, the runner may experience low points and want to quit.
He or she may become tired or cranky. Talk about the finish line, and help the runner envision crossing it. When the sun comes up, he or she will get a boost of energy. Unless the runner is seriously injured, keep him or her moving forward, even if that means taking short walking breaks.
Force the runner to eat and drink.
He or she may not be in a sharp mental state and may easily forget. Many DNFs (did not finishes) are caused by dehydration or a lack of food.
Bring a camera and document the event, but do not take flash pictures at night because this will impair the runner’s night vision.
Most importantly, be sensitive to what the runner needs and look out for his or her best interest.
Adapted from Trail Running: From Novice to Master, ©2002; published by The Mountaineers Books (www.mountaineersbooks.org)
Pulse 2.0 posts favorable write-up
October 18th, 2006
Here is an excerpt of what Amit Chowdhry of Pulse 2.0 wrote about Thoos:
“I think what makes Thoos so appealing is that this web application appeals to anyone that just wants to leave home and explore a new place to have an adventure, but have a hard time choosing one place. This solves that problem. And once you choose a place, Thoos encourages you to upload pictures of your experience so others will benefit.”
Read the rest of the article here:
http://pulse2.com/2006/10/15/thooscom-social-network-for-the-great-outdoors/