With six of our more energetic -- I jest of course -- hashers climbing Everest - well, flying to Lukla in a big iron bird anyway - our regular numbers showed a decline this week. We did however, have three visitors from the ‘Black Hole’, so it was still a good turn out of 30. Nice to see the U.S. Marines in evidence again and was that really Tony Fernside too?

The start this week was on the Helambu trail and produced a nice change of scene if not tactics. Dave and Eric laid on the usual bxxxxxy offering, why do we have to do this every week anyway? we could save ourselves a deal of trouble by simply drinking the beer!!

A late kick off produced some interesting problems later but the first check was a good run, alongside the river. It was noticeable that the old lags made much ado about searching for paper, whilst, remaining dry shod of course. Just as well., because, the trail was picked up on the top of the shrine gates - nice one David - and away we went to the next check, near the river again! Hashers in all directions, including looking (rather reluctantly) into the back door of Gorkhana Forest, perish the thought said some! Paper was located again behind the temple and then, it was uphill through the fir trees, onto the ridge. Beautiful [views], only spoilt by being out of puff, we then headed off on a “contour run” round the N/side of the hill. The paper seemed a bit sparse but we found the next check halfway down a bxxxxxxy great precipice, who held who on the rope to put that one in?

At about this time, it became rather difficult to find the paper again - it was nearly dark! so from this point on, variations on the theme of, find your own way back to the beer took once, several good runs were found, some on the ridge, others in the valleys. The rising Moon found us all back to the chariots, in fairly short order and then, the real objective of the exercise took over. Judged to be a nice run but, a late start made the going rather tricky towards the end, plenty choice for a future run in this area of the valley. Well done Dave and Eric.

Hashit: — Not awarded (we could not see each other!)
Walking Stick — not awarded (an ice axe could be useful)
Next Hash - No. 53, Hares, Fred Nedegard and John Frandsen, Place; - Ring Road, Swayhambu turn off.
N.B. TIME: - (1630) 27/10/80

Hash 54 - Malcolm Cough and Colin Baron.

Hash 55 - ??

Farewell - Good bye to Niel Nielson, rumour has it that he is now organising a Hash round the streets of Vancouver.

Hash Cash - Re the 50th Hash Bash, the cost per head for this was Rs 50, please let Roger have this as soon as possible, including payment for any guests (Roger has had to take out an overdraft, so by next week the cost will escalate to Rs 75).

Question - Who is that bloke over there?
Answer - I don’t know, but he must be one of “ours’ look at his wet feet and red face
Moral - Get to know your follow hashers.