HINTS FOR FIRST-TIME SETTERS

1. You are aiming for a one-hour run. Neither a ten minute quicky nor a
three hour marathon is desirable. You will probably not be able to avoid
abuse no matter what you do, but it is possible to prevent violence and/or
ritual dismemberment. Try to plan a trail about 2.5-3.5 miles long. If you
set some false trails and go through enough shiggy, this will do the job.

2. Use topographical maps. This lets you figure the mileage, find
connections between good areas, and in general, avoid getting too lost.

3. If you don't know the area, scout it before you set. You can learn a lot
on a bike or by running through the territory on your own.

4. Start early! Unless there is a strong risk of washout, set most or part
of the run on Tuesday evening. Encounters with angry homeowners can be minimized
by setting sensitive parts of the trail on Wednesday before the run.

5. A 2.5-3 mile trail takes 15-20 pounds of flour. When you run a hash, you
see many fewer than the total number of marks! A common first-time mistake
is to set the same number of marks as you see. That doesn't work! Set lots
of marks, especially in deep woods, or when crossing fields.

6. Set false trails from checks or natural forks. The pack is too dumb to
find them otherwise.

7. Watch out for loops that can be cut off. Runners will NOT do what you
expect. They will explore vast areas adjacent to the trail because they are
(a) lost, (b) perverse, or (c) born SCB's. In any event loops are risky and
likely to be short cut.

8. Don't be too tricky at first. Remember, the pack is very stoopid, and
will not be able to fathom anything too subtle. At the same time, this very
stupidity can lead them to blunder through your oh-so-clever tricks (see
#7).

9. Never, never apologize. Everyone who complains has done far worse.

10. Detailed conventions:
        a. Checks are circles.
        b. If you set a false trail of more than three marks, put
           down an F at the end.
        c. F's are always real
        d. Simple arrows may be real or not, it's up to you.
        e. "Wachspress double cross" arrows are always real. Use
           these to cross immense fields, boiling streams,
           the Atlantic Ocean, whatever.


LOCATIONS FIRST-TIMERS SHOULD AVOID:

1. The Nuclear Football - home of Clem and his dog

2. Farmer Brown (unless you like being pelted with rock salt and
                 buffeted with vituperative amertume by his foul-mouthed
                 offspring.)