The Naval Academy’s class of 2026 completed the annual Herndon climb in 2 hours, 31 minutes and 51 seconds on Wednesday.

The goal of this rite of passage is for classmates to scale the monument, which is covered with shortening, to remove the “Dixie cup” hat at the top and replace it with an upperclassman’s hat, called a “cover,” signifying the freshmen are no longer considered plebes.

The midshipman who topped the 21-foot-tall grey granite obelisk was Chris Paris, 20, of Louisville, Kentucky. Cmdr. William Lewis Herndon, whom the Herndon Monument is named after, attempted to save passengers and crew while the SS Central America was sinking in 1857 and died.

For this year’s climb, the class of 2026 adopted the strategy of using their T-shirts to wipe off the 150 pounds of vegetable shortening applied to obelisk, and to make a pyramid with “big guys” on the bottom and “little guys” on top. Here are some scenes from the busy morning of activity.

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023.
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023.
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The Naval Academy hosted its annual Herndon Climb on May 17, 2023. It took 2 hours, 31 minutes and 51 seconds to complete. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023.
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The Naval Academy hosted its annual Herndon Climb on May 17, 2023. It took 2 hours, 31 minutes and 51 seconds to complete. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The Naval Academy hosted its annual Herndon Climb on May 17, 2023. It took 2 hours, 31 minutes and 51 seconds to complete. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023.
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The class of 2026 climbs the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy on May 17, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The Naval Academy hosted its annual Herndon Climb on May 17, 2023. It took 2 hours, 31 minutes and 51 seconds to complete. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The Naval Academy hosted its annual Herndon Climb on May 17, 2023. It took 2 hours, 31 minutes and 51 seconds to complete. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The Naval Academy hosted its annual Herndon Climb on May 17, 2023. It took 2:31:51 to complete. (Kaitlin Newman / The Baltimore Banner)
The Naval Academy hosted its annual Herndon Climb on May 17, 2023. It took 2 hours, 31 minutes and 51 seconds to complete. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)

More From The Banner

Photo collage shows David Bramble on left, with map of Baltimore and photographs of row houses in background. Many bright yellow circles mark specific locations on the background map.

The developer of Harborplace bought 128 rowhomes in East Baltimore

One Baltimore County developer is pouring big money into local politics

Larry Lucchino, visionary behind Camden Yards construction, dies at 78

Dundalk was a steel town. When the Key Bridge fell, so did its legacy.