Flaming ‘Ww' Hike @ lig | Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series on traditions at Weber State College. The Mt. Ogden hike tradition, reported in the last issue of ‘“‘Comment,’’ was the forerunner of a tradition that has persisted at Weber in the years since that original trek. Lofty as the concept of conquering Mt. Ogden was, an annual climb to the top proved too arduous for the majority of students and while periodic ascents were recorded by the winter club or other college oriented. hiking-groups the annual Mt. Ogden hike was discontinued and gave way to a new tradition — the ‘‘Flaming W”’ hike. Scene of this activity for many years was Malan Heights, or Peak, a familiar landmark over-looking ithe valley, seven miles below Mt. Ogden summit. The hike was usually held in the fall during ‘‘Get Acquainted Week”’ and faculty, staff and students gathered at the head of 27th street to hike up Taylor’s Canyon to Malan Peak. The trail to Malan Peak through Taylor Canyon followed an old road bed, remnant of operation once a large logging in _ full-scale or two beyond the peak. In early days logging wagons with rear wheels locked made the precarious descent down the road from Malan Basin with wagon loads of lumber bound for Ogden. A small hotel stood in the basin as part of the logging operation and visitors to the area were afforded a unique trip in horse and buggy to the top and ate meals prepared while they were on the way up the hill. The proprietor used to stand and watch the trail through a spyglass to see how many guests were ‘“‘coming to dinner.’’ An old rusting CATHY CLAY AND Jack Suttlemeyer, studentbody president, heave-ho the whitewash while Jerry Nebeker and Mike Moore, immediately behind, stand back from the splash. steam engine is all that remains of that once florishing enterprise. Festivities and programs were sometimes held in the basin in connection with the hike and it became traditional to build a huge bonfire on the summit of. Malan Peak as a beacon to the valley. The fire was clearly visable in the town and broadcast the news that Weber College was having their traditional | ee ee a The “—_ Basin. mile ~ Malan “Flaming W”’ hike. Through the 30’s and 40’s the hike became a regular feature. During World War II the hike was stopped and then relocated to several other areas. In 1944 the activity was held at Cold Water Canyon at the mouth © of Ogden Canyon. Thatcher Allred told stories and the studentbody and class officers were introduced. Following the war, returning veterans, who had attended Weber > earlier, sought to reestablish the tradition of the fire at Malan Peak. © As an incentive in early attempts to” reinstate the tradition horses were used to haul materials for the fire (Continued on Page 5) te ne in locateda ” is 4 basin eines production ann WHITEWASH poured on a rock ‘‘W” is the end result of a long “‘bucket brigade’ extending from a truck. The activity was part of Homecoming Week in the late 60’s. |