Herndon Injuries?

I'm watching the Herndon climb and I can't help but think that there must be an injury or 2 that happens at this thing. Just curious if anyone had any 1st hand knowledge, or stories about them.

Also, it looks like there are a number of plebes who just kinda watch. I'm not exactly sure yet if I hope my plebe is a climber or a watcher. I guess it all depends on my first question

Lots of watchers. When the class surges towards the top more will jump in to push the base. It’s usually hot and grimy. So lots rotate in and out. Usually injuries are minor... I think my class had a broken arm. The pictures I saw today there wasn’t a whole lot of lard on it.

They do have a ladder truck and get sprayed down at intervals. A medical squad is right there. The water plus the blobs of lard plus sweat make them slimy messes, and makes falls more of a gloppy slo-mo slide down the human pyramid to waiting arms below. Elbows in ribs, sure, feet shoved into the wrong places (oops), hair pulled inadvertently, strained muscles, all on the spectrum.

The action tends to go in waves until they figure it out. Some do stand back until fatigue kicks in for the early attackers, and fresh bodies pile in.

It was a down-the-rabbit-hole-Alice moment for me the first time I saw it during my tour there.

I just remember my eyes burned badly from all the water and lard. More than anything I was just happy it was all over with.

Capt MJ said:

The water plus the blobs of lard plus sweat make them slimy messes, and makes falls more of a gloppy slo-mo slide down the human pyramid to waiting arms below

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That pretty much sums it up. Sure, some minor injuries..but when you are young you heal fast and don't worry about those things. A Supe tried to end it a few years back, citing injuries. (Forgot what Class it was, but it must be hard remaining Plebes for eternity !)

NavyHoops said:

I just remember my eyes burned badly from all the water and lard.

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My lasting memory of Herndon was walking into town with Classmates after, and everything was a haze-- first, with the film of lard , and later .....well, let's just say Plebes were allowed to drink back then.

I got the chance to be one of the guys at the base of the Herndon today helping push my classmates up. As far as injuries go, you would expect a lot more than what actually occurs. There were several people who fell from 15 feet or so. Usually, there is someone at the bottom to slow their fall. Most of the minor injuries occur at the base of the pyramid from someone getting kicked from someone above. I had to sit out for like twenty minutes today because someone fell on me and my nose started bleeding pretty bad. No worries though, I am fine and Herndon was a great time. There were some people with minor shoulder injuries and other people with bloody noses but overall the Class of 2022, fortunately, stayed pretty healthy.

Plebes No More!

Bravo Zulu to 2022! Midshipmen at last.