An Alternative Herndon Proposal
I seem to remember reading about the history of Herndon climb once and noting that, in the initial years of this tradition, the monument was not greased. Greasing started in later years. (Maybe someone can research when it actually started). If they want to use Sea Trials to end Plebe Year, might I suggest that, at the beginning of Sea Trials, a "Dixie cup" is placed on top of the monument, and at the end of Sea Trials the Plebes are "released" to climb and replace the hat on an ungreased Herndon monument, marking the end of Plebe year and upholding tradition in it's purest sense. I'm sure there would be far fewer injuries without the grease as well.
PJ
I seem to remember reading about the history of Herndon climb once and noting that, in the initial years of this tradition, the monument was not greased. Greasing started in later years. (Maybe someone can research when it actually started). If they want to use Sea Trials to end Plebe Year, might I suggest that, at the beginning of Sea Trials, a "Dixie cup" is placed on top of the monument, and at the end of Sea Trials the Plebes are "released" to climb and replace the hat on an ungreased Herndon monument, marking the end of Plebe year and upholding tradition in it's purest sense. I'm sure there would be far fewer injuries without the grease as well.
PJ