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Remains of Andrew Irvine believed to have been found below Everest

In September 2024 a National Geographic team comprised of Jimmy Chin, Erich Roepke and Mark Fisher discovered what they believe to be remains of British mountaineer Andrew Irvine. The climber was last seen 100 years ago with George Mallory on the NE Ridge of Everest during their historic attempt to reach the summit of highest mountain in the world. The recent discovery could add new clues to one of the great unsolved mountaineering mysteries of all time.

Planetmountain

October 2024

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A sock embroidered with "A.C. Irvine", along with a boot, was discovered on the Central Rongbuk Glacier below the North Face of Mount Everest by a team led by Jimmy Chin in September 2024. This is the first possible proof of Irvine's death since disappearing during a 1924 expedition.

Jimmy Chin

In September 2024 a National Geographic documentary team including photographer and director Jimmy Chin as well as filmmakers and climbers Erich Roepke and Mark Fisher discovered what they believe to be the remains of British mountaineer Andrew Irvine.

As reported by Grayson Schaffer for National Geographic this morning, the extraordinary find is comprised of an old leather boot, the remains of a foot and a sock embroidered with “A.C. Irvine. The remains were emerging from the ice of the Central Rongbuk Glacier, below the north face of Mount Everest and Chin believes the boot had been trapped in the moving glacier until just prior to the team spotting it. "I think it literally melted out a week before we found it," he is quoted as saying.

Andrew Irvine was last seen together with his climbing partner George Mallory on the 8th of June 1924, climbing upwards and high on the mountain’s NE Ridge during their historic attempt to reach the summit of Everest. Their disappearance gave rise to one of the greatest unsolved mountaineering mysteries of all time, for it is unclear whether the pair perished before or after reaching the summit. If Irvine and Mallory succeeded, their ascent would predate the historic first ascent carried out by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953. It goes without saying that the recent discovery could add important new clues to the mystery concerning the 1924 expedition. The remains of Mallory were located in 1999 by Conrad Anker, but until now the whereabouts of Irvine was unknown.

In order to preserve the remains they have been taken off the mountain. Chin immediately shared the news with Julie Summers, Irvine’s great-niece, and the team also took DNA samples for further identification. Given the movement of the glacier, it is likely that more artefacts will be discovered in the future. Possibly even the Irvine's camera, which many believe might contain undeveloped photos of the ascent. Hopefully these latest developments will begin to close a circle, not only with regards to one of the greatest mysteries in mountaineering, but also for his loved ones.

For more information about the discovery: www.nationalgeographic.com