First-year Naval Academy students conquered the Herndon Monument Monday, an annual tradition. One midshipman made it to the top in less than an hour and 43 minutes.
The freshman class at the Naval Academy conquered an Annapolis tradition Monday. The Class of 2016 climbed the Herndon Monument.
A midshipman made it to the top in just less than an hour and 43 minutes.
The plebes form a human pyramid to reach the top of the greased-up, 21-foot monument. Per tradition, the sailor who reached the top replaced the plebe "dixie cup hat" atop the obelisk with an upperclassman's hat.
According to tradition, the first one up the monument will be the first admiral from that class.
The longest attempt took more than four hours. According to the Naval Academy, the fastest time on record is one minute and 30 seconds, completed in 1969.
