LIVE: U. S. Naval Academy Plebes Attempt Annual Greased Climb, 21ft Tall Greased Monument, USA, N18 G

Watch: US Naval Academy freshmen attempt to climb 21fttall greased monument to mark end of first year Watch as members of the US Naval Academys first year class attempt to scale a 21fttall greased obelisk in Annapolis, Maryland, in an annual test of ingenuity, perseverance, and ability to work together. The Herndon Monument, a granite structure, has been coated with a this layer of vegetable shortening, in a move designed to make the task harder. The annual tradition began in 1950, and sees plebes academy freshmen build a human pyramid to swap out a hat placed on top of the structure. It is considered a rite of passage for the new recruits. The monument is named after Commander William Lewis Herndon, who died during the sinking of his ship in a hurricane in 1857. , USA, USNavalAcademy, Plebes, GreasedClimb, USAToday, LiveNews, CNBCTV18