This was basically a very simple hash to begin the New Year - up, across, down. The fact that it took 23 people 4O minutes to do it proves that it was not quite as simple as all that. There was, of course the odd water obstacle [thrown] in for good measure, of which we ware forewarned at the start with Pagella cavorting around in wellies.... There was an inauspicious start when Fallon’s jeep was found to be placed squarely over the first pile of paper, then a hop and a jump and we were at the first check. The trails up the gorges were false of course. The correct trail led upwards, then across, then down to the river, where a check on the sandbank confirmed our worst fears - Pagellies Wellies had foretold a wet run. The intrepid Kedwell set off across the river, and the cry of ‘On On’ had all crossing the river (except the hares - Pagella and Robinson 2. But, too soon - no sooner were we across than what did we see — Kedwell recrossing, the river.

The check in the middle of the paddies on the other side was ominously near a hill - yes, up we went across, then down again. At this stage we lost Verheyen minor who strayed onto the airport runway. But the orange thing that took off just then is reported to be an Indian Airlines plane and not Verheyen minor cutting short his vacation. Anyway, back to the check - with Sanday up top reporting to the mass below on the false trails, the correct gorge was found with the steepest ascent to the top. It was then but a gentle jog back to the chariots.

Next Hash - no. 64 - 200 metres along the Ring Road towards Jawalakhel from the Bhaktapur turnoff (Otherwise known as Thieve’s Corner - Russell & Novak)