Watch: US Naval Academy students attempt annual greasy climb

Annapolis students work together to place a midshipman's hat on the tip - Copyright Reuters

By Euronews with Reuters

Published on 21/05/2019 - 18:56•Updated 22/05/2019 - 10:26

The annual Herndon Monument Climb has taken place since 1962, with the longest climb taking four hours, five minutes.

First-year students at the US Naval Academy had their perseverance tested with a climb up a greased obelisk on Monday.

Annapolis students have to work together to place a midshipman's "cover" (hat) on the monument's tip – 6.4 metres (21 feet) up. The climb marks the end of the year for the freshmen and their transition from plebes (first years) to midshipmen.

The annual Herndon Monument Climb has taken place since 1962 – although the grease was added sometime in the late 1970s. The longest climb to date took four hours and five minutes, in 1998. Monday's climb took one hour, five minutes and five seconds.

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