For nearly a hundred years, one of mountaineering’s most enduring mysteries has captivated adventurers, historians, and climbers around the world: did George Mallory and Andrew “Sandy” Irvine reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1924—29 years before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s legendary climb?
That question, debated for generations, may now be closer to an answer thanks to a recent discovery on Everest’s unforgiving slopes.
In September 2024, a National Geographic expedition led by Jimmy Chin—an Academy Award-winning filmmaker and world-class mountaineer—unearthed a stunning piece of history. While traversing the Central Rongbuk Glacier, the team found a weather-beaten boot. Inside was a sock embroidered with the initials “A.C. Irvine”—and, disturbingly, part of a human foot.
The artifact is believed to have belonged to Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, who disappeared alongside Mallory during their summit attempt more than a century ago. Irvine’s boot was found at a lower elevation than Mallory’s body, which had been discovered in 1999. This positioning adds a compelling new layer to the story, potentially offering insight into the final moments of their expedition.
The location of the boot suggests that Irvine may have been separated from Mallory—possibly during a fall or while navigating the descent. Mallory’s body showed evidence of a fatal fall, but until now, Irvine’s fate had remained completely unknown. This new evidence could help trace the climbers’ route and determine whether they were descending from the summit or still pushing upward when disaster struck.
For Irvine’s family, the find is more than a historical milestone—it’s deeply personal. National Geographic has extended an offer to return the artifact to his surviving relatives, providing a long-awaited sense of closure after decades of uncertainty. DNA testing is currently in progress to confirm the identity of the remains, with results expected to shed light on whether this truly is the young man who vanished into legend at age 22.
But perhaps the biggest unanswered question lies not in the boot, but in what may still be with Irvine’s body. Many believe he was carrying a Vest Pocket Kodak (VPK) camera during the climb—potentially containing photos that could prove whether the pair reached the summit. If the camera is ever recovered and the film somehow preserved, it could offer the definitive answer to a question that has haunted mountaineering for nearly a century.
Did Mallory and Irvine actually stand atop the world’s highest peak in 1924? Or did they fall short, agonizingly close to making history?
Beyond its historical significance, the discovery also underscores the brutal and ever-changing environment of Mount Everest. Due to the movement and melting of glaciers, the mountain occasionally reveals preserved artifacts and human remains that have been hidden for decades—sometimes even a century. Each new find serves as both a scientific breakthrough and a sobering reminder of the perils faced by those who dare to challenge the mountain.
Irvine’s boot is more than just a relic; it’s a symbol of ambition, risk, and the pursuit of the unknown. Its emergence reignites global interest in one of exploration’s greatest unsolved puzzles. More than that, it reminds us that Everest is not only a natural wonder—it’s also a vast, icy time capsule filled with stories of triumph and tragedy.
Whether we ever discover photographic proof of their success, the courage and determination of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine continue to inspire. With each new clue, we inch closer to understanding what truly happened on that fateful day in 1924. They may have reached the summit, or they may have fallen just short. Either way, they chased the impossible—and in doing so, became legends.
