InterAm 2017

--Along with local trails you can also attend large events like regional hashes (Pacific North West Inter Hash, Texas Inter Hash, Gold Rush H3, and so many more), national hashes (Inter Americas, Nash Hash, Euro Hash, and more), and then you have the biggest one of all the Inter Hash. All these hashes are not just show up for a few hours and you are done, nope! Typically they are a 3 day (Fri, Sat, & Sun) event and most often they have pre and post events with them.--

Inter America 17 (6-9 Oct 2017) in Phoenix, AZ Part 1

“69 ways to die in the West”

Part 1

This event had been on my radar, but I hadn’t put much effort into pursuing it—until a great friend of

mine named Cock-n-Candy asked if I was going. After about 6–9 seconds of discussion, we decided this was a must-do for me. Cock-n-Candy lives in Phoenix and had already paid for a room at the hash hotel but needed someone to share it with. I said yes, yes, and yes!

I worked my magic and got rego-ed, booked airfare, and took care of everything else. I flew out a day before the event and returned a few days after. Once I arrived, Cock-n-Candy picked me up from the airport and drove us toward their house.

About halfway home, I spotted a sign for a Brazilian Steakhouse and got excited. I asked if they’d ever been to one before. The answer: “Nope—what is it?” I immediately suggested we stop for dinner—my treat! This is not a cheap place to eat, but it was well worth it. Plus, I wanted to do something special for my friend for all they’ve done for me. We had an amazing meal. Thank you, Cock-n-Candy, for letting me treat you to that adventure.

On check-in day, we made it to the hash hotel and up to our room. We decided to decorate the door with some simple balloons and wrapping stuff—nothing big or crazy (LOL). After picking bedrooms and unpacking, we learned there was going to be a hash webbing for some friends from Oregon happening soon. Naturally, we grabbed drinks and made the rounds until the webbing started. A ton of hashers showed up. It was short, sweet, and wonderful.

Saturday Trail

I did not do the “Ball Buster” trail, which—if I remember correctly—was a half-day ordeal. Instead, I chose the next hardest option. We loaded onto a bus and headed out sometime in the morning, eventually unloading at a park parking lot.

While hanging out, I watched several hashers attempt a patch challenge where they had to put two ping-pong balls in their mouths and then drink a full beer. It was both hilarious and impressive. This was really the first time I started paying attention to patches and the challenges that go with them. I didn’t actually start my own patch-and-challenge journey until many years later—in 2025!

After chalk talk, a pack of roughly 50 hashers took off through the desert. The trail was long, hot, and mostly dry. I say mostly because it eventually led us around a beautiful lake. We ran alongside it for a mile or two before reaching the boat launch—and that’s where things got crazy.

Some people jumped straight into the water fully clothed. Others teased it out, stripping down a bit before diving in. The water felt incredible—refreshing and fun, and definitely not cold like the streams back in the PNW. It was an unforgettable moment. (Photos and a video below capture the chaos and joy perfectly.)

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll talk about fun and crazy events for Saturday night and Sunday.

Below are photos and videos. If you click on the photos you will see the full picture.

Taco doing the patch challenge!

BATT enjoying the lake!