The text below appeared in an article in the July 26, 1936 edition of the Sunday Herald.
Silver Jubilee Hike Program Lures 5,000 to Aspen Grove Fete
Prof. E. L. Roberts Presented with Silver Pitcher on 25th Anniversary Program; Founder Leads in Reunion Hike
By Carlton Culmsee
Nearly 5000 persons overflowed the new Theater of the Pines at Aspen Grove for the program preceding the Silver Jubilee Timpanogos hike, Friday and Saturday, according to Professor C. J. Hart, general chairman. As soon as the program ended at 10:30 Friday night, some hikers set off with flashlights on the trail to the summit. They were still returning at a late hour Saturday.
Although a few impatient ones started at night, most of the hikers rolled up in their blankets and waited for the dawn. The official party, led by the founder of the hike, Professor Eugene L. Roberts, left in early morning. At Lecture Ledge, Dr. George H. Hansen, geologist of Brigham Young university [sic], explained the geology of the mountain. Then the party continued to Emerald Lake and the summit.
Nature lovers began trickling into Aspen Grove early Friday by 5 p.m. They started taking their seats in the banner-decked new amphitheater, which the forest service and WPA camp under Superintendent William Mace had hastily put into condition to receive the throng. By 6 o’clock the theater was almost full. By 8, when the program was under way, the throng was brimming over the sides and thousands seated above, the crowd stretching far back among the trees.
A new high level in excellence and appropriateness was reached in the program. The theme was the assembling of many nationalities and types of people to gain physical and spiritual benefit from contact with the great mountain. Three gymnasts, state champions of California, received an ovation from the crowd for their well-night incredible feats of strength and agility. Special awards of “Timp sticks” or alpenstocks were made.
1000 Reach Timp Peak
Nearly 1000 persons reached the summit of Timpanogos between 10 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. George Gourley, first of the hike officials to reach the top, handed out 987 badges. Eighteen states, two provinces in Canada, Switzerland, Norway, and Germany were represented.
The oldest man to reach the summit was Conrad Gerisch, 60, Midway. The oldest woman to reach the summit was Mrs. N. E. Andrews, 52, of Provo, although Chairman C. J. hart reports that a Canadian woman over 60 reached the top but did not register. The youngest child was Arthur Eldon Dennis, four and one-half year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Dennis, Provo.
The first five to reach the summit after Gourley were George Tanner, Bob White, Owen Dixon, Keith Ercanbrack, and Jay Broadbent, Provo. Gourley, Herman Rowley, and Bud Barber stayed at the top handing out hike club badges from 10 Friday night until 4 Saturday afternoon.
Lee Kay, state fish and game department, spent Saturday night taking colored movies of the hike, especially the slide down the glacier. Coasting was in some respects better than ever. Despite some rocks, no one was injured. So far as known, the only injury of the entire hike was a sprained hand suffered by a girl who slipped and struck her hand on a boulder.
“Not even a dented fender!” was the way the police and sheriff’s offices summarized the safety with which the canyon traffic moved during the whole Silver Jubilee of the hike.
