May 19, 2014

Removing the Plebe’s Dixie cup from the top of Herndon Monument and replacing it with a Midshipman’s cover marks the completion of Plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy. The task is made even more difficult by the 50 pounds of vegetable shortening that the midshipmen of 1st Company spread all over the monument. This year’s time was 2:19:35.

: The tradition of adding the slippery vegetable shortening to make the Herndon Monument Climb more difficult began in 1950. Midshipmen of the 1st Company apply about 50 pounds. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: Plebes discover that being a human ladder takes its toll, but teamwork pays off. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: Some plebes find themselves becoming human pillars. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: The struggle at 2:17:47. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Plebes are about to tumble down early in their attempt to remove the “dixie cup” hat. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: Female plebes form the top tier as they help wipe the vegetable shortening off the monument.The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: The strain shows on the faces of the plebes at the base after more than two hours of effort. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: The plebe supporting the tall climber at top appears to have his face stuck to the monument. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: One of the valiant but failed attempts to replace the dixie cup with an upperclassman’s hat. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: Plebes cheer as Michael Landry, 19, of South Haven, Miss. gets the midshipman’s cover on top of the 21 foot monument. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis/ Baltimore Sun)

: The Herndon Monument Climb ends when the plebes successfully place a midshipman’s cover atop the monument, named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, who went down with his ship in a hurricane in 1857. The tape is left from the “dixie cup” hat which was already removed by the plebes. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: Jubilation reigns at the U.S. Naval Academy at the completion of the Herndon Monument Climb. This year’s time was 2:19:35. The fastest time, without grease, was 1 minute, 30 seconds, and the slowest time was 4:05:17. (Amy Davis Baltimore Sun)

: Ethan Perdew, 12, of Stafford, Va, who came to the Naval Academy with his family, avoids the warm sun and the excitement of the monument climb. The Herndon Monument Climb, the culmination of plebe year at the U.S. Naval Academy, was completed in 2:19:35 this year. (Amy Davis/ Baltimore Sun)

Climbing the monument

Leave a Reply Cancel