Climber's Foot Found on Everest Glacier, Unraveling 1924 Mystery

In a significant development on Mount Everest, the partial remains of Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine were discovered on the glacier, nearly a century after he vanished during a 1924 expedition alongside George Mallory. The two climbers were last seen on June 8, 1924, while attempting to reach the summit, and their disappearance has long been a mystery in mountaineering history. Mallory's body was found in 1999, but Irvine's fate remained uncertain until the recent discovery of a foot encased in a climbing boot and sock, which bore a label identifying it as Irvine's. This find was made by a team of climbers and filmmakers, including Jimmy Chin, who expressed the emotional impact of uncovering such a significant piece of history. The discovery has reignited discussions about whether Mallory and Irvine reached the summit before their deaths, a question that has puzzled historians and climbers alike. Julie Summers, Irvine's great-niece, reflected on the emotional weight of the find, noting that it provided a sense of closure for the family and the climbing community. The remains are now in the care of the China Tibet Mountaineering Association, which oversees climbing permits on Everest's northern side. This discovery not only sheds light on Irvine's fate but also contributes to the ongoing narrative of early 20th-century mountaineering and the enduring mysteries of Everest.