As has been well documented, 7th Street was pandemonium after the Capitals pulled out a 3-1 win in Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals. Caps fans celebrated on the steps of the Portrait Gallery, as is now tradition, with possibly their most energy ever. From chanting to holding up inflatable Stanley Cups, the DC faithful expressed their jubilation after years of playoff misery.
In a decision definitely not at all fueled by liquids only available to people over 21 years of age, one fan channeled his energy into climbing a lamppost. He was on it for nearly 15 minutes. And he was promptly arrested when he returned to the safety of the ground.
Having been to the steps after a number of games this postseason, I can attest that there have been many climbers. Trees, lampposts, even utility cabinets. Police have been present to ensure the safety of the climbers as well as the public. But this guy was different.
The lamppost climber is visible in the back right of the picture. (Photo: Cara Bahniuk)
Many people had tried to climb that specific lamppost Saturday night but none had been successful. It’s about 25 feet up to the first bar and another 10 or so to the very top, so it was a tall order.
However, this dude was determined. Very quickly, the climber scampered up the post to the first bar. He then started to do pull-ups. The crowd took notice, cheering for the fan. But he wasn’t done yet.
I’m very proud of and worried about this man pic.twitter.com/8sOKAy3Tmq
— Rave Sashayed 🔥🏒😈🔥 (@_sashayed) June 3, 2018
Three different times, the climber attempted to scale the last 10 feet in between the first set of lights and the very top. Each time, the crowd below chanted “you can do it!”
The fan would get close; as close as touching his hand to the top. But he was unable to pull himself up.
After a few minutes of sitting on the lights 25 feet off the ground and leading chants, the climber decided to finally slide back down to the ground — into the waiting hands of two police officers. The climber was immediately arrested upon hitting the ground, probably to dissuade others from trying the same thing.
Of course, that was not completely successful. Many copycats would climb other things, including a stoplight.
Photo: Suzanne Kang
If the Caps end up bringing home the Stanley Cup, the celebration may rival Philadelphia’s after the Super Bowl.
