Janice R. Andrews
A recent expedition on Mount Everest may have uncovered the partial remains of Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, a British mountaineer who vanished during a 1924 summit attempt. This finding, nearly a century after his disappearance, has reignited interest in one of mountaineering’s enduring mysteries.
Led by National Geographic, the expedition team found a foot in a sock marked “AC Irvine” and an accompanying boot on the Central Rongbuk Glacier beneath Everest’s North Face. This location is lower than where George Mallory’s body was found in 1999. Mallory and Irvine were last seen about 245 meters from Everest’s peak on June 8, 1924, before they disappeared.
The discovery could narrow the search for a Kodak camera the climbers carried, potentially containing photographic evidence of their ascent. If confirmed, this could prove that Mallory and Irvine reached the summit almost three decades before the official first ascent by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
Jimmy Chin, a National Geographic explorer on the team, described the find as emotionally significant. He withheld the exact location to prevent disturbance by trophy hunters but expressed hope that other crucial items, including the camera, might be nearby.
Irvine’s family has shown interest in DNA testing to confirm the remains’ identity. Julie Summers, Irvine’s great-niece and biographer, was moved to tears upon hearing of the discovery.
The 1924 expedition was a joint effort by the Royal Geographical Society and the Alpine Club. Joe Smith, director of the Royal Geographical Society, commended the team’s respectful handling of the remains.
While Mallory’s body was found years ago, there has been no conclusive evidence that either he or Irvine reached the summit. This new discovery may provide fresh insights into their fate.
The China Tibet Mountaineering Association currently has custody of the remains. As the climbing community anticipates further developments, this finding highlights the bravery and sacrifices of early Everest explorers, whose legacy continues to fascinate nearly 100 years later.
