On Oct. 8, students and alumni hiked together to light the Y, carrying on a 100-year homecoming tradition.
100th Anniversary of Hike and Light the Y
Since 1924, thousands have participated in Hike and Light the Y. This year, students and alumni gathered to hike the 13 switchbacks and 1,074-foot elevation in honor of the light that returning students bring back to campus, and the light that graduating seniors will continue to shine out to the world.
Led by BYU President C. Shane Reese, his wife Wendy Wood Reese and Cosmo the cougar, students were encouraged to make new connections and friends as they all joined together to hike and light Y Mountain.
Students met at the Wilkinson Student Center and were shuttled over to the base of the Y Mountain. Flashlights and shirts were given to the first 1,000 student participants as a token of remembrance for the monumental event.
In 1924, the Y was lit by students who carried pieces of oil drenched cloth and soaked mattress pieces, setting them alight around the edges of the Y. This method produced only about 20 minutes of fire and was discontinued because of wildfire risk, according to the Provo Utah Guide. Now, LED flashlights are used by students to light the Y, allowing the light to hold strong throughout homecoming week.
Multi-generation families participated in the event. Alumni Amy Ruefenacht from California attended BYU in 1990 as a freshman right out of high school. Ruefenacht remembered and reflected on her experience hiking the Y during homecoming 34 years ago.
“I remember hiking the Y with my random roommate who I didn't really know, and it was a great opportunity for me to really connect with her and other people I went with in my hall," Ruefenacht said. "The crazy part is that I am still friends with some of the people I met on that hike even today.”
This year Ruefenacht hiked the Y as an alumn, passing down the tradition to her son and two daughters who have attended and graduated from BYU.
First-year student Norah Brown hiked the Y for the first time with her friends and roommate. She described her experience as unforgettable, something she'll look back on and remember every time she looks back at the Y on the mountain.
“I got to know the people I came with better, I did feel a little sense of belonging when we were all hiking up and down with peers," Brown said. "The view was one of the best parts — it was so gorgeous when you looked out.”
The Hike and Light the Y experience was one to remember, as students and alumni kicked off homecoming week.