A foot believed to belong to British climber Andrew Comyn “Sandy” Irvine, who went missing over 99 years ago, has been discovered on Mount Everest. This significant find may finally unravel one of mountaineering’s most enduring mysteries.
Irvine, alongside his climbing partner George Mallory, attempted to summit Everest in June 1924. While Mallory’s remains were recovered in 1999, Irvine’s body had not been located until now. The recent discovery was made by a team of climbers filming a documentary, who encountered the foot as melting ice on a glacier revealed it.
The team leader, an acclaimed adventurer, called it a “monumental and emotional moment.” Speculation about whether Irvine and Mallory reached the summit before their disappearance has been a topic of debate for decades, especially since Irvine was rumored to have a camera with undeveloped film that could potentially confirm their ascent.
British authorities are currently working on verifying the identity of the foot through DNA testing. Notably, a sock found inside the boot bears the name “A.C. Irvine,” which strengthens the case for its identification as belonging to the missing climber.
The significant find occurred in early September when the filmmakers descended the Central Rongbuk Glacier. During their search, they uncovered an oxygen bottle from a 1933 expedition that had previously located items related to Irvine.
Concerns over potential wildlife disturbances led to the removal of the foot, which has now been handed over to the Chinese authorities overseeing the northern face of Everest. A descendant of Irvine expressed deep emotion upon learning about the discovery, calling it an extraordinary moment that held considerable significance for the Irvine family and the broader climbing community.
Irvine was just 22 years old when he disappeared, making him the youngest member of the expedition that has captivated the mountaineering world for a century. The climbers were last seen alive on June 8, 1924, embarking on their ascent.
