Over 500 Naval Academy plebes participated in the annual Herndon Climb, an event that marks the end of plebe year for midshipmen.

The Class of 2019 must utilize everything they’ve learned about teamwork, forming a human pyramid to scrape away at the lard covering the 21-foot monument, remove a “Dixie cup” hat from the top of the structure and replace it with an upperclassman’s hat.

It took this year’s plebes 1 hour, 12 minutes and 30 seconds to complete their last task as freshmen.

“It was amazing,” said Midshipman Josh Dinardo. “It sucked to be at the bottom, but it’s an incredible feeling.”

“The best part was being all together. Class unity,” said Midshipman Hailey Burns, of Newtown, Pennsylvania. “The worst part was being pushed.”

When you realize it's not that easy to climb a lard covered 21 foot monument…

A photo posted by Andrew Klassen (@the_white_mamba13) on May 23, 2016 at 6:24pm PDT

I was actually just flexing the whole time we climbed Herndon today #PlebeNoMore

A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Jeffrey Kramer (@jeffyboyyy) on May 23, 2016 at 2:32pm PDT

Caleb Lucero and I very nearly shattered the Herndon Climb record. Nearly. #PlebesNoMore

A photo posted by Andrew Klassen (@the_white_mamba13) on May 23, 2016 at 1:04pm PDT

I think Peter's happy to be on the spectator side of the #herndonclimb

A photo posted by Caitlin Byrnes (@caitlin_byrnes) on May 23, 2016 at 6:11pm PDT

Went with colleagues to the Herndon Monument climb at the Naval Academy today with my #Nikon #D7000. The event is very…evocative. This shot, photo 1 of 3 from my afternoon at #HerndonClimb in #Annapolis, reminds me of #SaintSebastian. #Navy #plebes

A photo posted by Dan Zak (@mrdanzak) on May 23, 2016 at 4:34pm PDT

How we end our freshman year. Happy Herndon day #plebesnomore

A photo posted by Cassie Haller (@cassie_haller) on May 23, 2016 at 4:41pm PDT

PLEBES NO MORE!!! #usna2019 #usna #plebesnomore #herndonclimb

A photo posted by Tony Tolins (@ttony15563) on May 23, 2016 at 1:04pm PDT