Freshmen Attempt “The Herndon Climb”

Hundreds of plebes at the United States Naval Academy had one more challenge to face during their freshman year. It was the annual Herndon Climb where the plebes must work together to knock down the freshman hat off the top of the historic Herndon monument. But it’s not an easy task, the towering monument is greased with oil, doused with water, and the plebes must form a human staircase to the top. They must replace the freshman hat with a midshipman hat symbolizing a rite of passage. Friends, family, and fellow midshipmen cheered on the group as they completed their mission in one hour and 12 minutes.