The United States Naval Academy's Class of 2028 will soon partake in the historic Herndon Monument Climb, a signifier of the end of their plebe year. According to FOX Baltimore, this event, set to commence at 8 a.m. on May 14, entails a greased 21-foot monument climb in Annapolis, challenging the freshmen, known as plebes, to replace a "Dixie Cup" - a white hat - with that of an upperclassman.
Combining tradition with endurance, the plebes face a climb made more demanding by applying roughly 200 pounds of vegetable shortening on the monument and the added hindrance of being sprayed with water during their ascent, a detail highlighted by WMAR-2 News. Climbers will not only need to navigate this slippery slope, but they are also tasked with creating a human pyramid barefoot to achieve their goal, all while onlookers bear witness to this enduring symbol of cooperation and perseverance.
Named after Cmdr. William Lewis Herndon, who faced his demise in 1857 after sacrificing himself in an attempt to rescue passengers from his sinking ship, the Herndon Monument stands as a testament to courage under pressure, a sentiment echoed in the plebes' struggle upwards. The exercise doubles as the climax to the punishing 14-hour Sea Trials and reflects the culminating experience of their first year.
According to WMAR-2 News, last year's climb took 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 11 seconds, while historical records note that the class of 1975's fastest greased climb took 20 minutes.
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