In a monumental discovery, a team led by National Geographic explorer Jimmy Chin has found what is believed to be the remains of British climber Andrew Comyn "Sandy" Irvine on the northern face of Mount Everest. The find, which includes a boot and a sock with Irvine's name stitched inside, marks a significant moment nearly 100 years after he vanished during an expedition with fellow climber George Mallory on June 8, 1924.
The partial remains were uncovered in September 2024, in the Central Rongbuk Glacier, at a lower altitude than where Mallory's body was discovered in 1999. This discovery reignites speculation about whether Irvine and Mallory reached the summit before their tragic disappearance, a question that has intrigued historians and climbers alike.
Chin's team initially found a 1933 oxygen bottle, leading them to search the area, where they eventually spotted the boot emerging from melting ice. The boot is believed to have surfaced recently due to climate change, which has accelerated glacier melting in the region.
Julie Summers, Irvine's great-niece and biographer, expressed her emotional response to the discovery, stating that it was extraordinary to find evidence of her uncle almost a century later. The family plans to conduct DNA tests to confirm the identity of the remains.
This discovery not only provides closure for Irvine's family but also offers valuable insights into the history of mountaineering on Everest, a peak that has claimed many lives and holds countless secrets beneath its icy surface.