Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

Page 17 text:

The -Mount Ogden Hike Wkbkr has long DWKI.T in the peaceful valley surrounded by the splendor of the Wasatch Mountains, and over-shadowed by its glori- ous peaks. But being ever restless with desire to rise, she burst the bands of low-land seclusion and with one mighty unity of purpose established herself on that magnificent peak, Mount Ogden. The morning of October sth was clear and cool, hour o’clock was the time set for the gathering at the mouth of Taylor’s Canyon, loom all directions came the eager hikers. The roads and paths leading to the meeting place were flecked with the lights of automo- biles, in most cases those of anxious parents, reluctant to sanction such a hazardous undertaking. The dawn! The dawn! cried one. Just at that instant into the still morning air came the old yet much-loved “Star Spangled Banner ”, and after that the “Purple and White . The band was in splendid form. It played as it had never played before. Its echo bounded from cliff to cliff until it became lost in the broad expanse of the hillside. To the Sophomores fell the responsibility of carrying the sand, cement, and water; the Juniors were to bring the flagpole; the Seniors were to set the pole; the College were to procure and raise the flag, while the Faculty were to help wherever needed. The hike to Malan’s was not difficult, as the course lay over a well- beaten trail. At the cabin site a halt was called, where breakfast be- came the most important proceeding. One hour of rest and again the steady climb upward. From the cabin site to Mount Ogden the trail was steep, rugged, and poorly defined. Especially did the last thousand feet test the mettle of the little band. On all sides and in every direction were hikers, leg-weary and sore, pulling themselves up by every possible bush and shrub. However, while the larger group were pulling and tugging to make the summit, a small group was manfully bearing the responsibility of bringing up the flagpole. This was in four sections, and as the horses refused to work, it had to be carried most of the way. As it was made of steel and weighed three hundred pounds, those carrying it had no easy job. At two o’clock i . m. the last weary hiker, the last bag of cement, sand, and water, the last length of flagpole reached the top. Lunch baskets were soon emptied and real rest enjoyed by the foot-sore climbers. A group of students soon joined the lengths of the pole together and put it into the great hole which had been blasted by the pioneer