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Show The Signpost - Monday, Oct. 24 1988 7 "Flaming W" hike glows on with tradition By Dianna Tillman Asst. News Editor The tradition of the "Flaming W" hike began in September 1922 with the start of the annual "Mount Ogden Hike". It was decided by students, faculty and trustees to erect a flagpole at the summit of Mt. Ogden. Harvey L. Taylor, faculty member, organized the event. According to "The History of Weber State College", the first effort began on Saturday, September 30, when six "pioneers" traveled by horseback to the peak, clearing the trail along the way, and sledge- . hammering a hole at Mt. Ogden's peak deep enough to bury a charge of dynamite. The charge exploded, leaving a 3 feet deep hole in which to insert the flagpole. On October 3, a rally was held in the school assembly hall to generate enthusiasm for the hike. Students were to gather at the "well-known rock" at the mouth of Taylor's Canyon on October 4 at 5 a.m. An excerpt from a 1923 edition of "The Acorn" recounts the morning as being clear and cool. "From all directions came the eager hikers. The roads and paths leading to the meeting place were flecked with the Weber was not a college at this time. High school students also attended Weber. This was the last year they would attend Weber. The hike became a full day event. The last hiker and equipment reached the top at 2 p.m. J THE "FLAMING W" is lighted on Malan's Peak by hikers celebrating nearly a century-old tradition held during Homecoming week. lights of automobiles, in most cases, those of anxious parents, reluctant to sanction such a hazardous undertaking." At the first sign of dawn the school band played "The Star Spangled Banner" and the school song "Purple and White." Each class was given an assignment: the sophomores were to carry the sand, cement and water; the juniors were to arrange to have the 300 pound flagpole carried in sections to the top; the seniors were to set the pole; the faculty and student body officers were to splice the pole; and the college students were to procure and raise the flag. Come watch someone else slave over a hot fettle. Challenge the notion that weekends should be celebrated with dinner and a movie. Come to the Browning Fine Arts Center Thursday, October 27 and experience the exhilarating sound of the Utah Symphony, performing live the greatest hits in history. - October 27, Barry Douglas plays BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2; STRAUSS Death and Transfiguration ;V. WILLIAMS The Wasps. Browning Fine Arts Center, 8 p.m.Tickets are $5 and $13, half price for students twenty minutes before concert. Box office: 399-9214. Alter lunch the tlagpole was erected. The names of those reaching the peak were written on a scroll, placed in a glass bottle and cemented beneath the pole. David 0. McKay, president of the Board of Trustees, spoke to the group of 365 students and faculty who had shared in this historical moment. President Tracy and student body presidents also gave speeches. The bugle sounded and the American flag was raised as all joined in singing "The Star Spangled Banner" and the school song. The inscription placed at the base of the flag pole read "Presented by the Associated Students of Weber College, 1922." The group descended the mountain. The last hiker reached the bottom at 9 p.m. A supper was shared by all participants. The Mount Ogden hike tradition continued for many years until the novelty wore off. Students had decided to shorten the distance by hiking only to Malan's Peak where a large bonfire was built and the event then became known as the "Flaming W" hike. Dean Hurst, College Relations, remembers as a small boy in the 30s, observing the huge fire on Malan's Peak. This tradition was to continue each year with students making the hike and lighting the fires during homecoming. In the mid-60s a mishap occured during the lighting of the "W". The fires grew out of control and crept over the "W" onto the side of the mountain. Fire fighters and volunteers from the area spent the night controlling the fires. According to Hurst, "The flaming "W" tradition, as far as actual flames were concerned, was doused." In years following, the "W" was lit with electrical lights. In 1967 the Forestry Service removed the flagpole and its concrete base because of a law forbidding any such protuberance without appropriate authorization. The department was not aware of the history or background surrounding the pole and its base. Hurst and the Forestry Service were instrumental in placing a permanent plaque recalling the 1922 hike. Several pieces of the original concrete and a large section of the flagpole base are currently displayed in the Rich Memorial Lounge of the Dee Events Center. UimSymphony When second place is not enough SIOWS BANK GOLD ACCOUNT 16 personal banking services at no cost or low cost, depending on your checking account balance. iosZIONS FIRST NATIONAL BANK Where people mean everything Mcnii'd U'Jcr.il !Vp'M: Ihmji.i: An Ll;u.1 ( 1ppr!'j:'.;tv 1 i ft M Sti " |