First-year midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy scaled the greased Herndon Monument in Annapolis, Maryland, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 [2].
The annual event serves as a critical rite of passage for "plebes," marking the conclusion of their first year of training. The exercise is designed to test the ingenuity, perseverance, and teamwork of the students as they struggle to reach the top of the granite obelisk [1, 4].
To make the ascent difficult, the monument is coated in vegetable shortening [1]. This creates a slippery surface that prevents individuals from climbing alone, forcing the midshipmen to form human pyramids and support one another to reach the summit [1, 2].
The process of scaling the monument took two hours, 19 minutes, and 11 seconds [4]. While some reports noted the time was simply more than two hours, the specific duration reflects the coordinated effort required to overcome the greased surface [4].
This tradition is a longstanding fixture at the academy in Annapolis. It emphasizes the transition from the restrictive environment of plebe year to the increased privileges of the upper classes. By successfully completing the climb, the midshipmen demonstrate their ability to work under pressure and collaborate effectively, skills considered essential for future naval officers [4].
The event concluded on Wednesday afternoon after the final midshipmen reached the top of the obelisk [2, 4].
“The exercise is designed to test the ingenuity, perseverance, and teamwork of the students.”
The Herndon Monument climb is more than a physical challenge; it is a psychological exercise in collective problem-solving. By removing the possibility of individual success through the use of grease, the academy reinforces a military culture where mission accomplishment depends entirely on mutual reliance and the stability of the group over the ambition of the individual.
