May 14 (UPI) -- A lard-covered obelisk is more than a slippery slope for U.S. Naval Academy plebes, who view it as a rite of passage that changes them into midshipmen.
Dozens of freshmen who are called "plebes" were tasked with climbing the 21-foot-tall Herndon Monument on Wednesday, with the mission being to replace a cap placed on top to mark the end of their first year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
They accomplished the feat in 2 hours, 27 minutes and 31 seconds by using the kind of teamwork that is required to effectively operate vessels on the high seas like the U.S. Navy has done for almost 250 years, and as it today carries out missions on land and in the air, as well.
U.S. Naval Academy plebes race to the top during annual Herndon Monument Climb
U.S. Naval Academy Plebes work together during the annual Herndon Monument Climb on May 23, 2016 in Annapolis, Md. The Herndon Monument Climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy, the freshman class works together to hoist a member of their class to the top of the lard cover monument to replace the plebeian hat with an officer's version. Midshipman 4th Class Chris Bianchi, placed swapped hats after 1 hour 12 minutes 30 seconds. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
