The Ultimate Everest Mystery Guide: Mallory & Irvine’s FINAL Steps

[@EverestMystery]

For TONS more content on the Mystery, check out our Mystery of Mallory and Irvine playlist with over 40 videos to explore, at this link: kzbin.info/aero/PLwmpwZ6gVdGy03uHt2aYVqJrc7gXFfPBP&si=ScVJE1yNNCig40Wh

[@reneboisselle]

I woulkd like to mention during the first Banff Mountain Film Festival, held in the 70ies, Mr. Noel Odell was a speaker. He presented the 1924 movie on the Attempt on the N. Ridge of Mt Everest. It was stunning to see Mallory and Irvine in the movie. Mr Odell had a few tears while talking about Mallory and Irvine. A moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.

[@EverestMystery]

Incredible, what an exceptional experience for you. My mentor, Bradford Washburn, became good friends with Odell. They spoke at length about his last sighting of M&I on the ridge.

[@reneboisselle]

​@@EverestMystery Mr. Odell was a geologist. Many years ago, he did a trip to Northern Quebec/Labrador, to study the rocks and origins of the Torngats Mountains. I found that during my university course in geology. Back at the Banff Film Festival, Mr Odell was espressing his great interest for the type of rocks and fossils that can be found on the upper slopes of Everest. However, the ultimate came when Mr Odell made various comments, especially on Mallory, his great friend while viewing the movie shoot by Cpt. John Noel. Yes this is an exceptional experience that will remind printed in my mind.

[@EverestMystery]

@@reneboisselle how fascinating! Odell spent a great deal of time here on Mount Washington, where I train for my expeditions....putting up routes that in the 1930's were pushing the boundaries of ice climbing. Thanks for sharing your story about him!

[@dougshelby939]

​@@EverestMysterySorry for not already knowing the answer to this question, I really feel like I should have know was Bradford Washburn the first to summit Denali or Mt McKinley it was called at the time? First thought came to me when I read your reply he was your mentor... seems like I remember he had several notable first ascents in the Rockies and Cascades as well...hmmm...While I'm not a climber myself, I'm a big fan of the great mountains of our world and the people who climb them. And I know I'm not alone in my fascination with the history of mountaineering. Really enjoy your podcasts btw... for a non-climber like myself, I appreciate how you explain and break down the facts and kinda wish you could have been narrator of the Discovery channel program Everest, beyond the limit from back in the day! Again I am really enjoying it and apologize again for the ignorance of something I feel like I should have known. Thanks for letting a dude that grew up near sea level understand better this fascinating topic. I'll be watching!👍

[@EverestMystery]

@@dougshelby939 Brad was an exceptional individual who mapped Everest, Denali and the Grand Canyon, did 13 first ascents in Alaska, founded the Boston Museum of Science, was the greatest aerial mountain photographer of all time, and - with his wife Barbara - did the first ascent of the West Buttress of Denali in 1951....Barbara became the first woman to climb the mountain. I was graced by his kindness and constant attention for over a decade, and he and Barbara were like family to me. You might enjoy this snippet of a film I did with Brad in the early 2000's: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anzYp3t-qd-hh8k

[@aljanecko]

This is one of the worlds greatest mysteries, I never get tired of learning more.

[@VincentComet-l8e]

‘The precise location of that bottle has been garbled a little bit…’ Yes, that seems to be what happens as the years pass, and more and more people are involved in trying to reconstruct what happened. Just as the precise details of Mallory & Irvine’s route has become garbled too with, until quite recently, the consensus somehow having become that they would essentially have followed the modern route and attempt the 1st, 2nd & 3rd steps in sequence. However, the 2nd step would have presented a very severe, if not insurmountable obstacle. And in his writings Mallory had made it perfectly clear he had no intention of trying to climb something that difficult. But modern researchers seem to have overlooked this, and have concluded that as the 2nd step was pretty much unclimbable, they therefore could not have reached the summit. The other fallacy in the modern viewpoint is that it completely ignores the crystal-clear description** given by Odell of where he sighted them, which can only refer to what is now known as the 3rd step, placing them maybe 600 vertical feet below the summit. This was his original account in The Times, but had been altered when the expedition leader, Norton, wrote his official history the following year. In so doing, Norton ensured that he remained the holder of the world altitude record of 28,126 feet, despite Odell stating that from his sighting a new altitude record had clearly been established by Mallory & Irvine. There is strong evidence that Mallory & Irvine followed the virtually horizontal route taken by Norton just a few days previously, which completely bypasses the difficult 2nd step and leads to the Great Couloir, from which a zigzag route upwards brings them to the 3rd step, this being where Odell sighted them. ** ‘…the place on the ridge mentioned is a prominent rock step, at a very short distance from the base of the final pyramid…’

[@VincentComet-l8e]

And it’s also worth noting that whilst Norton’s world altitude record of 28,126 feet was achieved without oxygen, Mallory & Irvine were climbing with oxygen equipment, which would have given them a significant advantage over Norton.

[@davidspence5567]

@@VincentComet-l8e you say that there is Strong evidence that they took the Norton route to the Summit...can you list that evidence please ?? As the oxygen bottle,Mitten and Ice Axe were either on the Ridge or just below it.

[@greglima408]

The most compelling part of Odell's description is the mention of the final pyramid. That means he could only be talking about the 3rd step. When Conrad Anker climbed the 2nd step some years ago after his Sherpas had removed the ladder, he proved that a climber of Mallory's skill could have managed to climb it but they could not have climbed down it without the aid of ropes and no ropes were ever found (though many have doubts as to whether the Chinese climbers of 1960 or 1975 would have fessed up that they found ropes there). I'm sure Mallory and Irvine could have reached the summit if they were in fact climbing over the 3rd step at 12:50 in the afternoon but that was kind of late and would have made for a harrowing return, mainly in the dark, and while we may never know the details, we know how that turned out. I do agree with what Hillary said in regards to Mallory possibly being the first to reach the summit: "I'm rather inclined to think, personally, that maybe it's quite important, the getting down."

[@monster750neil]

@@greglima408 The third step was not a recognised feature in 1924

[@sparkypeps1]

@@greglima408 More to the point according to timelines, could mallory have climbed the 2nd step in 5 minutes? I watched Anker do it edited...no way in the world.

[@greatsilentwatcher]

I especially like hearing your informed, level-headed analysis and commentary. Thanks.

[@royalhero4608]

This truly is a detective story like no other. The clues which have been up there for 100 years.... the glove, the axe, the bottle. I truly believe they made it and fell on the way down

[@cosmicjive4746]

@@royalhero4608 honestly, when people in 1996 were talking about summit fever and it led to some of the worlds best alpinists dying that made me think. (RIP ROB HALL SCOTT FISCHER AND EVERYONE ELSE) ❤️❤️❤️ Can you imagine what dudes from the WW1 era were thinking in the same frame of mind? Yeah, in my opinion they died BECAUSE they made it to the top.

[@Chromatic145]

They never even made it to the first step.

[@royalhero4608]

@@Chromatic145 Far too early for them to have slipped

[@Chromatic145]

@@royalhero4608 Who told you that?

[@Hootncozy]

Your channel is seriously one of my all time favorites. Your channel ignited a love of the Everest mystic. Im excited to see what the future holds for the channel.

[@krishnachaitanya8590]

@@Hootncozy same

[@EverestMystery]

It's GREAT having you here, thank you!

[@brendanoneill1466]

So helpful. Been trying to put all these locations together. Your respect for Mallory and Irvine is clear, fellow climbers. Thanks for sharing

[@EverestMystery]

Thanks my friend, I truly appreciate it!

[@aeromodeller1]

E. F. Norton, "The Fight for Everest 1924", page 100, "Diagram of Heights on Mount Everest", shows a view of the North Face with points located and labeled. Point "D. 'The Second Step' where Mallory and Irvine were last seen." This shows what we today call The Second Step. However, Point "B. The point reached by Somervell in 1924." is shown to the west of Point D, closer to the summit. Point "C. The point reached by Norton in 1924." is even further along toward the summit. On page 112, and I am not going to quote extensively, you can read it for yourself, Norton says "I followed the actual top edge of the band, which led at a very slightly uphill angle into and across the big couloir; but to reach the latter I had to turn the ends of two pronounced buttresses which ran down the face of the mountain, one of which was a prolongation of a feature on the skyline ridge which we called the second step, and which looked so formidable an obstacle where it crossed the ridge that we had chosen the lower route rather than try and surmount it at its highest point." Norton at that point is well to the west of Point D which he identified as the second step on the diagram. He is actually below what we today call the Third Step. Norton's text contradicts his illustration, he has the second step in two locations. One to imply Mallory and Irvine were not where Odell saw them and one which identifies that the contemporary usage for "second step" is what we now call the Third Step. Norton had reasons for creating this misunderstanding, which another commenter has discussed.

[@jaynecliff1568]

Every new piece of evidence brings more questions. This enduring mystery is one of the most fascinating of all time. It's still as well known and debated a hundred years later as it was in its day.

[@CarmenDL1]

Hello from Niagara Falls Canada! I was going to comment on yesterday's live but after watching, I felt to wait for this release. That map you had help from Hemlem for update points is so awesome! Thank you I have never wanted to climb a mountain, nor could I ever have the strength in my hands to do such a feat. But my oldest bro use to do a lot of climbing and such and was always proud of his adventures. I am mesmerized by all of you who have been high upon this mountain and endured all of what entails. I am amazed at all things Mount Everest and Irvine and Mallory so coming across your channel a couple years ago was so exciting for me. For some strange reason I have "acrophobia" and get very nauseated at simply watching even just a tv commercial with high elevation overlooks. Heck, cliff jump or extreme sports of any kind doing height challenges throws my stomach into spins haha. But when you show video and pics of high up altitude looking down, I could throw up at the look down but the visual is so magnificent that I can't look away haha! I am looking forward to everything your going to find out of the latest find of Irvine.

[@EverestMystery]

Thank you so much for your great comment. Between you and me (and anyone reading this) I've never been able to watch cliff diving or free solo rock climbs, but lose my fear when my own two feet are below me and my two hands are in front of me. I am grateful for your interest in channel and hope the steep photos don't upset you too much!

[@CarmenDL1]

@@EverestMystery It gets a little easier to look at the mountain pics now as I'm getting use to looking at them and a lot of video. I have sickly reactions standing at the brink of the Horseshoe Falls too! I live a 2 minute drive from it. If I'm watching the mesmerizing water flow cascade over it draws me in to that motion. It's kinda scary so I don't lean over the railings now. FUN FACT: Myself and 3 friends got rescued close to the brink on the American side of the Horseshoe Falls in 1988 - the boat went over

[@brianshults8977]

I love your videos and your passion for the subject definitely shows. Just so fascinating. Thank you for putting out such great content

[@kensilverstone1656]

Thanks!

[@EverestMystery]

I cannot thank you enough for your kindness!

[@Wisdom-Nuggets-Tid-Bits]

It is just amazing that the discovery if Sandy Irvin happened just a few weeks ago!! This is certainly amazing and fantastic!! I am glad I found your channel just over a month ago! I have enjoyed your fantastic videos in your library of your life as a mountain climber film career.

[@Bob31415]

Your videos on this subject are outstanding Mr. Pollard. Thank you for your passion for the history of exploring this iconic mountain. You have a great voice for narration also.

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

This is an amazing and incredibly helpful overview and guide to this mystery! Well done!

[@Ronin-ke5wm]

What an amzing video. So well constructed and narrated. Thank you again :)

[@EverestMystery]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@JeffGush-pu8fy]

I am not a mountaineer, but I love this mystery for many reasons!... Noel Odell was the key. What we would give to have Noel Odells sighting visible now, with our powers of technology and Google Earth!! I am still astounded that while he was alive, was he ever officially recorded on film explaining exactly where he saw the 2 figures? [Or was he, and this footage has "disappeared"?] Later reports state he was "not sure", or "changed his mind", in some way?. As he got older he apparently kept on changing his mind. His most revealing words were, " The last step but one". This old style of English means something quite clear. If you imagine yourself on a staircase heading up, the last step but one, is the last obstacle before you place your foot on the level floor. This means you are on the last step on the staircase. Was the 3rd step considered a Step? Nobody had ever been there. From the projected point of Odell's position, his claim was the 2 figures were on a snow slope, and heading strongly for the top. Were there significant snow slopes at the 1st or 2nd steps on that day? Could they have climbed the 2nd step and succeeded, only to realise they would not be able to get back down? Did Mallory not say in a note that he would avoid the ridge line? Odell saw them around 12 midday? From their Camp 6 would they not have gone a lot further than 1st or 2nd steps by midday, after setting out at approximately 7am?. After following this for many years, since I had read "Into Thin Air", I sense that somewhere, in some way, some smokescreens have been thrown, and some personal and corporate interests are being protected. Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tensing Norgay fully deserve the right to claim Everest as their own. There is no doubt about that. The question is whether we will know, that at least, in their hearts, Mallory and Irvine made it to the summit, and died in that Noble Pursuit. In reality it is not who was the 1st, but if you did it yourself! This is why this story is so endearing to me. I have done many hard things, that other men have done before me, but that does not make it any less. It is and always will be such a great mystery, of very brave men with strength, and fortitude, and spirit. I really do love following the saga, as it develops, and I am sure that time will eventually reveal some final truths. The fact that the boot and foot of Andy Irvine have been found, in my opinion, opens up so many doors for deception and factual manipulation, when the truth is may be as clear as day. We do not need massive corporates to feed us flashy documentaries of what they think we should know. I sincerely hope your quest will carry on and of course I will be watching. 😎

[@aeromodeller1]

I prefer primary sources rather than rumor or folklore. I have provided a link, but that may be the reason my previous posts have been deleted. You can find it on the Internet, yourself. This is why I believe they made it to the top: Captain John Noel, "Through Tibet to Everest", Chapter XVII, The Culminating Tragedy, page 267, Footnote 2, "The second step is the upper of two distinct steps in the summit ridge leading from the North-East Shoulder to the summit and is situated just at the foot of the final pyramid ." This describes what is today known as the Third Step. He quotes Odell saying he took out his glasses (binoculars) to watch them silhouetted on the second step, going strong within 600 feet of the summit. "Then the mist swept up, and the whole fascinating vision vanished. I waited and watched again, but the mist never cleared, although, I think, up where they were there was little or no mist. But that was all I saw. When I last saw them they were going strong. The sight gave me the first impression that they were going to reach the top." He saw them at the place we now call the Third Step, about 600 feet below the summit, going strong, known to be without special difficulties between there and the top. The weather was good, they had plenty of daylight time to make it to the summit. Unfortunately they were too late to make it home before dark and they didn't bring torches (flashlights).

[@dianebays5484]

This really clarifies it. Thom. Thank you.

[@chris-mich]

11:20 the location indicated in the 3D view where Mallory's body was found is way off - according to the b/w photo which has routes and locations the body would have been much much further up the mountain, by the lower left corner of the"white triangle pointing upwards" inbetween the top of North Col and top of Norton Couloir. Just mentioning so no one gets confused like me when i tried to match the indicated locations on a digital map. On the b/w photo, the location suggested on the 3D view would not be visible, below and hidden behind the ridge in the foreground. I do love and enjoy your videos and appreciate your sensible opinions a lot, thanks for your continuing efforts!

[@surjitpuri4839]

I am really impressed with your delivery as well ss the contents.I apprrciste your analytical views without enforcing viewers to agree. But being of little knowledge of the century back expdn,don't u think the objects now claimed to have even found,would not have withered and move places,in a moving river of a glacier. Think it's high time to give a mountain burial to this elusive mystery. Even in criminal cases,a benefit of doubt is given to the accused. And M&I were no accused but are our greatest heroes.Imagine climbing the roof of the world,and that too the unknown North face,and to me naked,considering the tweeds leather boots,no maps and no Sherpas to fix rope and pull them up. Why so much of noise about as to who climbed Everest first ?.Hillary and Tenzing climbed a different (now traditional and easy route), but M&I climbed the difficult North face.They ate to be considered different peaks. And all fairness,unless there are conclusive proof of they having not summitted,it is presumed that they summitted.Very rarely a limber falls down on the ascent and I sincerely believe they fell down while descending.They were close to the summit as confirmed by fellow climber Odell.Knowing Mallory's history and character and of the fact ,Mallory knw that this was his last chance to climb the Everest ,he would not have missed the summit from such close distance. Logically Mallory may be given knighthood posthumously and Irvinean apt Award as only Hillary was given the knighthood.Nobody knows who steppedfirst on the summit.

[@jujudavis65]

Their story is so fascinating to me thank you Thom for sharing these videos. I ordered Julie Summers book can’t wait to read 😊

[@samsanjeevan2096]

Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful information and placing them on a map.

[@thomasdiedrick3465]

Finally a video detailing landmarks on Everest. I have never climbed a mountain in my life I just enjoy the subject matter of Everest. I have heard many of these terms countless times but could never orient where one landmark was in to relation to another landmark. Thank you it is very helpful to me .

[@EverestMystery]

Thank you, I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Maybe I nailed it with the 'Bookmark It' suggestion!

[@AKKTerry]

@Everestmystery how can I get notified of your live chats?

[@EverestMystery]

@@AKKTerry thank you for asking! If yu click the subscribe button there is a little icon shaped like a bell, which means you'll get notified each time there is a new video or livestream scheduled. I've been thinking that I'll probably schedule them regularly, say, every other week on the same day and time.

[@AKKTerry]

@ Thanks, Thom! I have been watching you for a while now but seem to miss your lives. I love listening to you you are a great speaker and storyteller.

[@guambyguambelle1864]

Thank you so much for the update and such great background info!

[@uwelanski5376]

Love your Vids, thanks a lot.👍🏻

[@karinschultz5409]

After 100 years, this tangled tale just keeps on getting better. 1st, 2nd, 3rd "steps", did they take the ridge route or did they skirt the yellow band and go up the Great Coulier? Despite what Mallory wrote/told others, we'll never know what route Mallory decided to take. He had oxygen afterall, and could have decided to forego a windy trek along the ridge and opt for a climb up the Couloir as his best bet for reaching the summit and coming back alive. That he used oxygen, hi-tech equipment at that time, shows he intended to reach his goal and return to tell the tale. He was out for glory, there's no point in being first, if you can't hear the adulation of the crowds. Call me cynical but no one knows if he could handle this new fangled peice of kit, for all we know, it may have malfunctioned and he tossed it aside. If so, could he even reach the summit? Strange that only one 1920's era? oxygen bottle was ever found, and no other equipment was recovered, even at his grave site? Perhaps the Chinese recovered more archaeology, like the camera Mallory was thought to have borrowed? (Unlikely, there's no indication Mallory was tech savvy and able to use a camera.) As for the "steps", to my untrained eye, every bump along a ridge could be a "step". The term is meaningless unless you have a topographic map and to my knowledge, maps are not available for mountain peaks. Two dimensional photos that describe three dimensional surfaces of dynamically changing landscapes have limitations. What I also find strange is the need among some climbers to "rewrite" history. To my mind, even if Mallory summited, he didn't complete the round trip, and so failed in his quest. I just wonder if this Mallory-phobia has more to do with resuscitating past British glory, rather than sticking to historical facts. The fact is, we will never know if he ever stood on the summit of Everest: all we know is he didn't come home. As the highest mountain in the world, Everest is a symbol which touches all people, no matter their race. Let's just honor that sentiment!

[@sparkypeps1]

So in other words you don't believe Mallory? You don't believe Odell? You'd rather believe mumbo jumbo? Go figure.

[@unappreciatedtreehouse821]

Greatly informative. It's hard to find a clear map and locations of Mallory/Irvine clues. Thanks. "Ghosts of Everest" is the first book that began my interest.

[@Pez_Azul]

Thanks for the video! I always enjoy them

[@tracycameron5099]

Great presentation Thom!

[@EverestMystery]

Thanks my friend!

[@peek-a-moose2491]

An excellent overview.....

[@bordereiver]

Hi Thom, thanks for posting, nice graphic from Jochen. I had a couple of quick questions if that’s ok: 1. I wasn’t aware that Mallory implied for years that he would attempt a ridge route. Have you got any record of this? The written statements I’ve seen seem to imply the opposite - eg. ‘Much will depend on the possibility of escaping from the crest to avoid the obstacles’ (1921 expedition report). You also said there were no writings to suggest whether he did or did not actually attempt a ridge route. Do you discount Mallory’s note to John Noel from June 7th, after he’d shared a tent with Norton? ‘It won’t be too early to start looking out for us either crossing the neckband under the pyramid or going up the skyline at 8[am]’. 2. From the graphic - do you know how Jochen arrived at the conclusion that they cut through the Yellow Band or followed the Longland Traverse, rather than heading up to the Exit Cracks? 3. You rightly point out that the term ‘Third Step’ was not in the vocabulary for the expedition. Why do you feel this is important? ‘Second Step’ was also not in the vocabulary for the expedition. Without either term, Odell expressed which step he meant in a mountain dispatch to Norton on June 9th - ‘Mallory and Irvine were last seen by Odell from VI (12.50 pm on 8th) going strong about the final step before the pyramid’ (Norton’s diary) 4. Just to clarify something - are you saying that an oxygen bottle was moved after Eric Simonson first found it in 1991, or that a bottle was moved from its original location prior to Eric finding it in 1991? If the former, how would Eric’s directions guide them to the bottle in 1999 unless he was aware of where it had been moved to? If the latter, how would we know this? Thank you!

[@fergalohearga9594]

That was a nice one Thom, especially for the uninitiated, who of course we value as much as the ... moderately initiated. I'm sure I have said this a number of times here over the years, but I'm one who believes more that they made it than they didn't. In addition to the very important contextual issues about how fecking strong and determined these people were compared to our cotton wool generation(s), but as Jochen said in the very first of those books (I think), not one thing that was discovered in 1999 (and now, since), is inconsistent with them making the summit. Every single bit of evidence is consistent with them making it, while none of it isn't. I know that is circumstantial, yet powerful and interesting at the very least. Over the years in my career as a lawyer, I have learned that the first reports from people are nearly always as best as they will ever be, and as time moves on external inputs alter the memories. For example, without wanting to open Pandora's box, in the Kennedy assassination in 1963, despite a few people looking this way and that, the vast majority of people on the scene, including the police officers, all of them, immediately focussed on the School Book Depository where ... well a man with a gun was. That's a long way of explaining that I believe Noel Odell's original impression that he saw the lads on what can really fairly only be described as the third step was accurate. In any event, terribly interesting if without resolution and I appreciate this channel very much. Slán

[@EverestMystery]

Great having you here and thanks for the amazing insight....I truly appreciate it!

[@10CrazyGlue]

Apologies if you've said this before (new to channel but rolling through the vids). Do you personally believe that with all your research & experience deep deep down, George & Sandy made it to the summit or not? Thank you for making all these vids. I'm loving it.

[@EverestMystery]

Thank you for being here! I unfortunately am not one of those who believe they made it to the summit. Having been to the site where Mallory lay, given his distance from the summit, condition of his feet (no frostbite) and overall location, I'm one who believes he turned back when he realized it wasn't going to happen. The weather that afternoon was horrible. Mallory would have seen the writing on the wall, and unfortunately one of both of them took at least one fall. I would LOVE to be proven wrong, and always am interested in hearing theories on how they could have made it, because you can never really count out the human spirit for when it wants something badly.

[@Inkling777]

Many thanks for giving us a view of the important locations. One suggestion. Given the known location of Mallory's body, someone might investigate what route the two might have taken given the dark night and what might be the most risky and thus most likely location for a fall.

[@JeaneGenie]

Excellent presentation 👍

[@AnthonyLeadley-v6s]

Hello Thom, I also watched the Wade Davis video brilliant. Also Stephen Venables talk at the Alpine Club touches on some interesting points on Mallory as well. The English class system is very complicated. Finch should have been on the 1924 team but was a mere Australian. I went to a public school which is 1,397 years old. So I understand the language. When Odell says " the last step but one". He is saying the final assault. So in modern vernacular third step or higher. I hope this helps this was talked about at school fifty years ago for me. They both fell. I think Irvine fell where Norton turned back on the previous attempt. Anyway for your American audience a public school is a private school in England. Keep playing that strat. I shred on my Malmsteen signature. Have a good one as we say in N.Z 🇳🇿.

[@EverestMystery]

Great hearing from you, thank you! I totally appreciate your insight on the 'last step but one'...but do want to keep pressing the idea that Odell's view was oblique, and someone atop the Second Step would look as though he were close to the base of the final pyramid. I am blown away that someone has attended a school that is 1,397 years in operation! Wow! Between you me and a fly on the wall, if I had my druthers and didn't need to make a living off KZbin, I'd play guitar all day, interview musicians and have a podcast that focused on songwriting and musicians who shared nothing but love of others. If you go down the list of my podcast The Happiness Quotient you'll find lots of incredibly inspiring interviews with musicians. Thanks for watching my friend!

[@AnthonyLeadley-v6s]

Fair point on where Odell was watching.So many uncertainties. I chased a musical dream it didn't work out tuff industry.

[@dajodadarodajodo4600]

your passion, insight and dedication is very appreciated !!

[@rogjackson]

This is a very helpful video for those who have not been to Everest. Videos like this go along way to educating those lacking basic information about the mystery. Excellent content and well done Mr. Pollard!

[@gwhite7136]

I for one, believe that you let the evidence lead you in our conclusions. I for one believe Mallory did make it, when I consider all this information and evidence. How close he was to camp 6. Timescale of and location of final resting place tells me he likely went down the Great Couloir to get back. In the dark this looks like a quicker and safer risk, though risky it was, especially being alone. The mountain is giving up physical evidence, slowly as we have now the foot of Irvine. Finding the foot, imo, almost his body certainly will come out as well one day. Either way, this was an amazing feat by any a great man's measure by Mallory. In the words of my mother from decades ago, "It's worth a Ouja ask". Great job on this video and all your hard work sir! Your the best.

[@Oldguy-k3t]

@@gwhite7136 What if Mallory took Irvine's oxygen and summited solo?

[@czarcastic1458]

He never made it to the first step

[@sparkypeps1]

@@czarcastic1458 So Odell lied?

[@czarcastic1458]

@@sparkypeps1 He changed his story over the years where he saw them , but he could have been seeing stuff seeing as he was in the death zone with no O2.

[@sparkypeps1]

@@czarcastic1458 Yep, the only eye witness account and you and many others try to disprove it. Why? Changing a story over the years is not unusual...I do it and so probably do you. It's well documented the reasons why he was pressured to do so...envy and avarice from Norton being the most obvious. His impressions are clear and he wrote them immediately. Mallory said he would not attempt the Ridge route yet no-one cares what Mallory said. They just make up a 2nd step scenario for dramatic or other purposes. He (Odell) was in the death zone with no 02 as were many others. I don't get why he is singled out as the "mountain sickness"sufferer when he was a very experienced climber. I just had a look at Anker free climbing the 2nd step...Anker knew what to expect. He also had a team (film crew around him...how else did they get the shots?) and sherpas to remove and replace the Chinese ladder. Mallory would have had to have done it alone, without prior knowledge, and the certainty that no-one had ever chosen to take that route. I prefer to go with the only eyewitness account of the event rather than some mumbo jumbo. Thanks for the chat.

[@traceyMustafa]

Ty this is so insiteful...and hope were getting closer to the truth however long it takes.

[@jamesfagan172]

Great video as always Thom thanks

[@Gamecat8476]

Nice summary

[@willmxkid7033]

We LOVE your videos so much, and the graphics you use are incredible at bringing this mountain to life and showing all of the places of interest on the Irvine and Mallory history. Can I ask about the importance of the camera though, what images would they have taken? And playing ‘devil’s advocate’ people like to argue the heck out of EVERYTHING on KZbin 🙈 if summit pictures were ever discovered would geolocation be able to map and match the mountain back then because of all of the landscape changes or would ‘naysayers’ still cause locational doubt about the summit (if that camera / pictures are ever found) 🙏🏻

[@louisemc130]

Another excellent video.

[@Russojap2]

Very interesting! Greetings from East Tennessee 🤠

[@teresacorrigan3076]

Hi from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦😊

[@Russojap2]

@teresacorrigan3076 Hello Ontario! 👋😂

[@VTPSTTU]

I hope you're recovering quickly from the effects of the hurricane.

[@benjamindouglas862]

Greetings from Western Virginia, neighbor

[@Russojap2]

@@VTPSTTU Thank you, but where I live, the biggest inconvenience was the Ingles supermarket only accepting cash for a few days. Ingles home office in North Carolina was apparently not operating. I really don't use cash, so I just went to Walmart instead.😂

[@PaintProtectionPro]

I think it’s more compelling that they took the lower route than the ridge route. I think it’s also more likely they made the summit that way

[@peggyleadingham4528]

always enjoy your content

[@aeromodeller1]

The ice ax found in 1933 belonged to George Mallory. It was too short for Sandy Irvine.

[@dukecraig2402]

Yes, 6 inches too short to have been Irvine's, but it was identified as Irvine's by Wyn Harris when he found it in '33 and as I recall it's because there's an identifying feature on the handle linking it to him, his last initial or something like that carved into it and is why for all these years it's been credited as his, that's what makes it so mysterious, a good theory is that it belonged to one of the Sherpa's who gave it to him for a spare since at 6 inches too short for Irvine probably means it was too short for Mallory also, he wasn't as tall as Irvine but it'd still be too short for him, the way they're fit for someone if they're 6 inches shorter than someone else their ice axe won't be six inches shorter it'll only be about 3 inches shorter, so for an ice axe to be 6 inches too short for Irvine that means whoever it was fit to would be about 1 foot shorter than Irvine, ie since Irvine was about 6 foot then we're talking someone around 5 foot, that'd be about the height of a Sherpa as those guys are pretty short.

[@bordereiver]

@@dukecraig2402 Wyn Harris did not identify the axe as Irvine’s. Odell wrongly identified the ice axe as Irvine’s based on a set of markings on the shaft which he recalled Irvine having used to mark his equipment. As it turns out, Wyn Harris had a sherpa make those markings when he found the axe, to avoid it getting mixed up with other axes on the expedition. In fact, the axe was initially believed to belong to Mallory, because it was manufactured by Willisch, a Swiss company producing bespoke ice axes, something Mallory could have attained on one of his many climbing trips to the Alps. Irvine never went to the Alps. How would a high-end Swiss ice axe have ‘belonged to one of the Sherpas’? Why would a spare be needed given Irvine had a spare ice axe in a lower camp that was later returned to the family?

[@JeffRud]

Thanks for all you do. Questions on Odell's sighting. 1. How many "line of sight" feet from his location to the various possible spots where he reported seeing Irving and Mallory? 2. Was he using his own eyes or optics of some kind, and if so, what was the magnification? I ask as his sighting is very important to the mystery, and the moving in and out of cloud cover, could have made sightings at distances difficult/wavy, for example stationary objects appear to move as they appear/disappear in the clouds, or the clouds behind objects move. Thanks, again.

[@aeromodeller1]

Your naming of the steps is current nomenclature. In 1924 the second step is what we now call the Third Step. This map does not show the route Mallory planned to take; yellow band to Great Couloir, up to pyramid base and thence to summit.

[@davidspence5567]

Yet the evidence and Odells sighting puts them on what today we would call the Ridge route 🤔

[@craigelbagel9498]

@@davidspence5567 which one? His original account indicated above the current third step. That account fits with the view plane from where he was

[@tarnvedra9952]

@@davidspence5567 Odell´s description puts them on snowfield bellow the Third Step.

[@davidspence5567]

@@craigelbagel9498 so that's the Ridge route then...They would have had to Climb the Second Step..'.The last step but one''(Odell quote)sounds like the Second step ....What we now know as the third step wasn't understood back then.

[@davidspence5567]

@@tarnvedra9952 the Last step but one sounds like the Second Step.

[@VTPSTTU]

Thanks for the video. A few questions come to mind. First, I don't see a way for Mr. Irvine's body to have been where Xu Jing thought he saw it in 1960 and then for it to be where Chhiring Dorje thought he saw it in 1975. The circle that your friend drew for the 1975 sighting appears higher than the one you drew for the 1960 sighting. I don't understand much about the situation, but I'm confident that Mr. Irvine didn't start ascending the mountain again between 1960 and 1975. I can't think of any reason that someone would have moved his body up the mountain between 1960 and 1975. Even where the circles seem to be at the same elevation, I can't see how Mr. Irvine's body would have moved west along the mountain during that time. Doesn't one of those reports have to be wrong? If one of them must be wrong, could both of them be wrong? Do you think the woolen glove could have been blown to the location where it was found in 2001? If the glove wasn't blown to that location by the wind but was dropped by a climber who reached that location, why was that climber at that location? According to the route lines on the picture, the woolen glove wasn't on any of the routes that Mallory and Irvine would have been using. If someone had dropped that glove on the ascent, would that climber have been able to continue ascending? Did they have spare gloves? I can't imagine dropping my only outer glove on the ascent and continuing to ascend. If the glove must have been dropped there on the descent, why would a climber have been that far above the route? If Mr. Mallory had been at the point where the glove was found, could he have fallen downward and then westward to the place where his body was found? If Mr. Mallory couldn't have reached his final resting place from where the glove was found, the the glove either has to have been Mr. Irvine's glove or maybe has to have been dropped on the 1933 expedition. If the glove was Mr. Irvine's glove, is his having reached that point consistent with his foot coming to rest on the West Rombuck Glacier? If George Mallory couldn't get from where the glove was to where he finally rested, how did Sandy Irvine get from where the glove was to the glacier? I'm struggling not to believe that the glove was dropped in 1933. I have heard that Mr. Irvine had two ice axes on the day of the climb. Do you believe that assertion is true? Some have suggested that he left this ice axe on the ridge as he ascended and that this axe has nothing to do with what happened after he and Mr. Mallory began to descend. Do you see any merit in that line of thought? The question becomes relevant because believing that Mr. Irvine reached that point in his descent and dropped the ice axe before or as he fell brings back the question of how Mr. Irvine ended up on the glacier while Mr. Mallory stopped where he did. I realize that these questions may have easy answers to those who have been on the mountain. As someone who has never been outside the continental United States, I wouldn't be able to see those answers. I'm curious what the answers are.

[@berryreading4809]

You sir need to watch some other youtube soirces covering these exact topics... This response will probably get deleted if it even appears, but when you find the channel you'll know. Mentioning the name will get this comment auto removed from the comment section I would imagine...🤫

[@VTPSTTU]

@@berryreading4809 I do watch other KZbin channels about this topic. I ask questions on those channels as well as this one. I don't automatically attack either side. I wasn't there. I've never been there. I spent my career doing some investigative work on industrial accidents. I've been in the lab examining samples and evidence. I've learned that the facts can be confusing. I've learned that latching on to one side's team and attacking the other side at every opportunity is a stupid strategy for understanding the truth. I've learned that listening to people whose views are different from my own has value, particularly when I can't go to the scene and examine the evidence for myself. I've found that this channel is sometimes willing to give me respectful answers to my questions. I don't have to believe every word of those answers. I appreciate hearing someone explain his or her thought process and raise more information. If you think you have answers to these questions, feel free to provide them. You don't have to reference another channel. I'll repeat some of these questions to try to make the process easy for you. 1. Do you think either the 1960 or 1975 sighting was real? Do you think that they saw the same body? Do you think that the body was in the same place for both sightings and the person who drew this diagram misplaced the reports from those sightings? If the body wasn't in the same place, who moved the body? If you have answers, write them without getting into some kind of personality cult war. 2. Do you dispute that the woolen glove was really found where the diagram says it was? If it was found there, how did it get there? Was it dropped on the ascent, dropped on the descent, or blown by the wind? Is there some other possibility? Again, I'm curious about answers. I'm not all that interested in the pissing matches between various KZbin creators. 3. How did the ice axe reach its location? Was it left by Mr. Irvine on the ascent? Was it dropped by Mr. Irvine on the descent? Did it actually belong to Mr. Mallory? If it belonged to Mr. Mallory, the same questions apply. 4. If both climbers fell from about the same location, how did one end up near the alternate Camp 6 location and the other end up on the glacier? If both climbers fell from about the same location and one remained high on the mountain and was thrown over the side later, the same question applies. If you give answers in a non-trolling way, I don't think that the content creator will delete your comments. If he does, then I'll be sorry to see that.

[@billykershaw2781]

Nice one, I was totally unaware about the mitten. The two body sightings on the ridge...confusion over location?language translation? A ridge return in the dark would at least help navigation...the pocketed summit rocks present or otherwise would prove nothing....I've suggested a Touching the Void epic retreat as a possibility....but my gut instinct is they made it, Mallory fell on the return, and Irvine lost the will to continue in the dark, sitting it out, waiting for daylight. Many thanks.

[@surjitpuri4839]

But both were roped up together,so Irvin could not have been waiting separately,waiting for the daylight.

[@billykershaw2781]

@surjitpuri4839 good morning from the UK. I suspect the rope snapped just below the ridge, in the dark, with Mallory falling, sliding down the slope leaving Irvine stranded alone. To lose a partner would have been a crushing psychological blow to an already exhausted climber. It's just a theory, nothing more....to quote Whymper...look well to each step. Have a good day my friend.

[@Philippe-y6z]

Great work Thom! No doubt they both took a fall coming very late at night tired from a very long day not on the ridge route but coming from the Norton couloir where Mallory never had been before. The Ridge was impossible without ladder and Mallory knew that. 1924 was the last chance so he pushed for the summit with Irvine on a rope under the ridge trying to find a way to surround and climb to the top. They could not do it and came very frustrated and without bottle oxygen. That was fatal before reaching camp 6. Is a very long way. Pretty sure Malloy fell before Irvine and the rope broke on a stone with ice like a knife. Later Irvine was brought down by avalanches naturally not pushed by any Chinese to the bottom of glacier.

[@williamh3823]

Why then wasnt Mallory brought down by glaciers eventually

[@Philippe-y6z]

Location where Mallory was buried . Rock ground . Irvine fell upper in mountain in steeper ground

[@msromike123]

Do you ever do, or have you considered doing a livestream Q&A for viewers? Perhaps for paid subscribers? I would love to ask questions of someone that has been there and done that.

[@EverestMystery]

YES, absolutely! I am going to schedule a Livestream for that specific purposes, this coming Friday(probably 3pm eastern) as well as a Members livestream at a different time in the coming week or so. THANK YOU for the awesome suggestion.

[@haydenbretton2990]

From the UK, this account has really wet our appetite to follow on where Sandies remains should be. We cannot help thinking that they both did summit, or did Mallory do it alone, then in their excitment of achieving climbing in Georges own words, " Because it was there" they over looked breaking too many safety rules and made their error that cost both of them their lives. Were they tied togetther and George slipped and fell, perhaps Sandy was injured too, finding the remains of Sandy, perhaps his remains might tell us more.

[@allanfrederick8705]

Just curious Thom, how certain are you of Odell's location? I was wondering how you are placing him at that location with certainty. What led to people that made the map you present to place him there?

[@Hammer117]

Thank you for this content. It is the go-to video for people new to the mystery. The pinpoints are as fascinating as they are informative.

[@teresacorrigan3076]

10:10 cool pictures of the mountain

[@DFence13]

We also have Smythe's observation from 1936 :)

[@Outofthisworldengraving]

As someone who is not a mountaineer, but simply a lover of history, mystery and problem solving, find it strange like many others, that a lot of information from national geographic is still unpublished. Why is that you may ask? I myself think its because history would have to be rewritten as well as discredit Edmund Hillary/Tenzing Norgay as the first to summit. This is a logical assumption of coarse. So to preserve ones integrity/legacy would be a powerful motivator not to disclose information (which seems petty to me). I think the truth of that fateful day is what drives these documentaries and investigations by those who seek the truth of the very lives of those who lost them and provide closer for all. NOW! here's my observation of Mallory's body and what I believe happened to him. First, he's face down for a reason (I'll come back to this). I noticed in the photo he has what appears to have a big bruise on his upper right buttocks, which means he slammed into a rock during the fall. I deduced this because the coloration of his skin is a different color and darker than the rest of his body. Considering the body froze relatively quickly so would have the blood in that spot and if the impact was violent enough, it probably paralyzed him from the waist down. The ropes described by the expedition as being imprinted on his skin and taunt around his waist as well as the lower buttocks (observed in the photo) suggest that the rope got caught on the rocks, but not before he rolled down the mountain entangling himself. But considering that he had a broken leg below his right knee suggest that he fell off a ledge and landed on his right leg in a standing vertical position (because his left leg was intact). But this did not kill him immediately (IMO)!! When Mallory was found I observed that there was no glove material on his hands. This could be either of two reasons. One, the weather eroded the gloves away in time (highly likely) OR Mallory was still alive after the fall and took his gloves off to try and get into his jacket to find a way to survive (ever try and get into your pockets with gloves on?). Meaning he wasn't dead after all that. Now! he was face down when found because he was clinging to the mountain to avoid falling any further, but he was caught on the rocks and if paralyzed with a broken leg, he would not have had the upper body strength to flip himself onto his back (which instinct would tell him not to do this to avoid falling any further). NOW! He carried with him a photo of his wife to leave on the summit!! (which has not been found, either on the mountain or his person), leaving two possible scenarios. One, Irvine and him made it to the summit and that's where the photo was left (which probably blew away) never to be seen. OR two, Irvine and him fell during the accent and while hanging there Mallory took his gloves off to reach into his jacket for the photo for one last look at his wife before then end and the photo was consumed by the elements. I would like to believe the later based off of evidence and beautiful love story of survival. But who knows, maybe one day we will find out.

[@oyajiblues]

Great Video. I am still here brotha…. “What a long strange trip it has been”…..my friend you are approaching 100k.

[@EverestMystery]

Right on my friend, great seeing you! It has indeed and continues to be a 'long strange trip', which reminds me, from one music guy to another, RIP Phil Lesh

[@oyajiblues]

@ YES of course. RIP Lesh

[@steviejames8082]

Question I’d love to ask you about the holy grail of this mystery the camera. If they summited wouldn’t it have been dark by the time they reached making a picture almost impossible with the lack of light?

[@davidspence5567]

Thanks Thom ,Excellent map to use to bring everything together. It's Seems clear to me that Mallory and Irvine took the Ridge route on that faithful day...to much evidence points to that conclusion. However I have never Brought Chhirings Dorje's supposed sighting of Sandy High up near the Ridge...Literally hundreds of Climbers would have passed that location before '95' and never spotted everything? Nah

[@BT-ir5zl]

Based on what I'm seeing here, am I correct in assuming Mallory's fall had to be from the first step or somewhere near it? What I was told years ago by some with far greater knowledge than me, is that Mallory did indeed summit while Irvine waited below. George's fall was on the descent, and Irvine died waiting for his comrade who never returned. Irvine's body was thrown from the mountain by a later expedition - not the Chinese.

[@kensilverstone1656]

I don't see how Mallory can have picked a route different from the one taken by Somerville and Norton days earlier. Why would he take an unknown and untested route?

[@EverestMystery]

He had always intended to take the ridge route. The couloir route was found to be too difficult, and there had only been failure in the previous attempts. Why not take a shot on the ridge, which might offer some openings?

[@kensilverstone1656]

@@EverestMystery I believe he said he was considering two routes in the note he left. Norton was in less than 1,000 feet from the summit so Mallory may be thought he could make it with the improved oxygen system he had. You're the mountaineer; do you guys typically try a route without a lot of study? Atill, you may be fully correct.

[@EverestMystery]

@ thank you! They knew nothing really of either route, other than how devastatingly difficult it was for Norton in the Couloir (and the previous summit attempt). Oxygen or not, Mallory had eyed the ridge route, and as the pure climber to the core that he was, it would have been almost impossible to not have a look (given the failure of the couloir attempts). Just a theory my friend, just a theory. They didn’t leave behind much for us to weigh to determine which route they took! Grrrr

[@kensilverstone1656]

@@EverestMystery I respect your theories, with the explanations, to my general logic, when it comes to Everest. Thanks for sharing.

[@narichey1981]

There are writings/letters from Mallory that describe an intention to go either up the the Great Coulier or if the wind was bad to cut back and up to the east of that to the base of the summit pyramid. So we do know he had contemplated a route not on the ridge, plus he also wrote about avoiding doing anything particularly strenuous at that altitude, such as you would have had to do to scale the second step. Not sure Malory, who was extremely experienced, would have undertaken to climb that obstacle when he had contemplated routes to take to avoid doing just that

[@stephenbrunner2543]

I wish you would lay in the modern route..the 1996 one with the "south" summit, Hillary step, etc.

[@haydenbretton2990]

Should Mallory have taken a fall from the location of the ice axe, being a climber with his skills without doubt he would have put himself into a X position to slow or halt his fall. Sliding down backwards would have torn off his boot, then somehow landed in a position where he could spread out his arms and stop in the position that he was found in. The injuries George sustaind were akin to falling head over heels. I would like to believe that George Mallory's remains were ment to be found and Sandy's too with solving that they were the first to summit Mount Everest.

[@Oldguy-k3t]

In Unsworth's book he wrote that Mallory favored the ridge route. Maybe he tried it which accounts for the 4 hours behind schedule as Odell stated.

[@Sinar-P]

Its common knowledge that Malory stated there was absolutely no way he was taking a route which required any rock climbing. A route had not been discovered through the Second step and it wasn't climbed till 1960 even that accent is in question. It was later fixed with an aluminium ladder and fixed ropes. There is absolutely no way on earth that Malory and Irvine even attempted the second step. The evidence for this is the impossibility of them achieving it. They could not have been seen at the second step. Its obvious they were seen at the 3rd step and in fact the third step is exactly what is described in their sighting at 12.10pm. The only way to get there was via the traverse above the yellow band. A route successfully used twice. They never climbed up the ridge. Thats not to say they didnt descend via the ridge. It was more direct, safer and easier to navigate. It would have still required a rope long enough as the second step is 130 ft. Not an easy abseil exhausted. Its far more likely they returned via the original traverse exhausting and precarious.

[@Sinar-P]

Messner soloed Everest in 1980 using the traverse avoiding the ridge despite having climbed it via the ridge previously. The ridge route is a distraction by the British Empire which is why its still creating confusion. The original honest description leaves no ambiguity as to where they were sighted and the likely chance of them making it. They were even given the altitude record based on the honest account (withdrawn after rewriting despatches) That alone places them at the base of the summit pyramid and within easy reach of the summit. The British didnt have proof. By being vague it left the opportunity to finance a return expedition.

[@PaintProtectionPro]

@@Sinar-Pexactly, they were clearly sighted at the base of the summit pyramid so they almost certainly made the summit

[@deannefortnam4247]

Great summary, thanks for the information. I'd not heard about the woolen mitten before. Has it been dated to the 1924 expedition? Is it something the mountaineers wore during that time?

[@EverestMystery]

Jochen has determined that it is 'pre-war'....and that they were not used in 1938, meaning they were either from 1924 or 1933. A DNA test could actually tell us something. We shall find out, hopefully.

[@deannefortnam4247]

@@EverestMystery Thanks very much for the information. It's all so interesting.

[@МартинАтанасов-и7м]

Thank you! Excellent video! Greetings from Bulgaria! Waiting impatiently for the next! 👍

[@adamswire9152]

Very clear, but just one point. I thought the body Chhiring Dorje saw in 1995 has been pretty comprehensively identified as that of Pete Boardman (English climber died May 82 North Ridge)?

[@EverestMystery]

Peter Boardman and Joe Tasker disappeared in the pinnacles of the northeast ridge. In ‘92 on a Japanese- Kazakh expedition a climber named Vladimir Suviga photographed a body later confirmed by Chris Boningtin to be Boardman. In ‘95 a Japanese team found him again, at first thinking it was Tasker.

[@kikimihaljevic6127]

Interesting🤔👍

[@redemptivepete]

Interesting that the ice axe, oxygen bottle and glove were all found on the ridge. It suggests that they used that route at least in part and at least on the way down from the summit or their high point. Can anyone think of a reason why they might go couloir up and ridge down because I can't?

[@laddersman]

Conrad Anker found Mallorys body and watch and also the search for Irvine and Mallory the Documentry i watched the other night it does not mention anything about George's body being lifted up . can you Explain Thom why you said you crawled under George's body ?

[@dougshelby939]

From my armchair view on my smartphone and considering my total lack of mountaineering experience and the only view I have ever had of Everest and these other great mountains is from a screen...I think it's certain Mal and Irv AT LEAST reached the high point of where the ice axe was found. First time I had heard that an older, possibly even correct for the period, O2 cylinder was found high on the route... heard mention it maybe could have been left by the Chinese...is it still up there? Or, like that ice axe, been brought down for display? Hmmm that's quite a bit higher than GM's body and the axe were found...gosh that just deepens the mystery ya know?!? Lol. I think it's right to assume the pair were roped together...GM was easily the more experienced and technically proficient climber and I want to believe he was the one that led, with SI belaying... climbing UP... it's possible that on the way down (from the summit?? Those objects found were getting really seriously close.. just saying..🤷 reason for saying that is because GM obviously fell and was critically injured showing he fell a long way. SI's boot and sock foot are found on the glacier faaar below and well right from all other artifacts going by the photos and diagrams...fell in a crevasse maybe? Also not beyond the realm of possibility that the Chinese first ascenders team came upon Sandy's body and not wanting their own achievement lessened or cheaper, DID IN FACT move Sandy's body AND CAMERA WITH THE PROOF, into the crevasse I mentioned, hoping that no body along with no camera, results in themselves who were the heroes that conquered Everest.🤷

[@davidviescas1695]

Great video, and I agree about the comments at the end. There is a lot of personal BS that seems to pollute the waters around what happens on Everest. Just a couple of notes though, the sighting on the ridge in 1995 could have been a sighting of Peter Boardman, who was confirmed to be in that area. While he wasn't wearing pre war fabrics, his snow suit was brown, and could easily have been confused as being leather as described in the sighting. As for the never ending look for the camera, It was generally understood that Irvine would be carrying it, as it was given to him. The one thing that is never mentioned though is if summit rocks were looked for on Mallory.

[@bakfixx]

I enjoy the information you present. Did Mallory ever consider K2? Why was the focus primarily on Everest vs K2?

[@jaywhiting4070]

Why do you think?

[@rogerhudson9732]

I have experienced the old saying " More accidents/falls happen going down than going up".

[@gaylenecooper849]

Love your stuff, was it always your teams idea to leave them on the mountain if you found them. Just curious as to why

[@jaywhiting4070]

Its interesting seeing these snippets of the 1999 exped. Why is the footage of the search still being kept back do you think?

[@JaneDoe-f5i]

First for Moo Deng

[@kamakaziozzie3038]

Xi will be pleased

[@sillytangerine5312]

@@kamakaziozzie3038 Moo Deng is a pygmy hippo from Thailand? Leave it to some dude named Ozzie with Kamikaze in their name to not understand the differences in Asian cultures.

[@RahulRahul-pi5fm]

Thsnk you.

[@danieldaniel43]

Personally i think Irvines body could be further down the glacier too where the boot and foot was found . Due to the weight of the body and if the foot was separated from sliding down the north face , the body would have traveled far further!

[@lyndiwilson2334]

Hi Thom! Hope you're well. Im taking a chance that you will be able to graciously answer my question as you have before. Since youve been up there and seen the terrain, why is it that climbers take scary looking ladders up the steps, especially #2, and not traverse to the side and up? Im so confused now as i cant remember what ive watched from reputable reports, and what ive heard of conspiracies from whom i believe the last part of your video is referencing 😉. Could that be the person you and i spoke of before? Lol. I joined your patreon as you suggested, but i guess im too inept at how to really navigate my way through it

[@EverestMystery]

Hi, great seeing you again! The ladder makes it simple and safe to ascend an essentially vertical section of rock...which would be easier than circumventing it. On the free Patreon, you basically have to scroll down for the videos....it's not the best method, but they're free, as opposed to the .99c member section here. Thanks as always for watching and for your support!

[@lyndiwilson2334]

@EverestMystery Thx Thom

[@gjpowell]

(1) Did Odell see Irvine & Mallory at 12.50pm...? (2) If he did, could that be anywhere other than at what we now call "the 3rd step"...? (3) Is there a route for Mallory to find and "zig zag" ascend up the North Face to the ridge line before the Couloir (given Messner's views on the difficulty of that ascent)...?

[@daveb7128]

Without discovering the camera (and successfully processing any film) is there any other way to prove or disprove they summited?

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

Question: Did the reconnaissance group that surveyed the mountain make a mistake when they recommended summiting from the ridge route that Mallory attempted? Also, how do you think Mallory would have fared had he tried to summit using the easier route most used today? if he had pioneered it using no existing ladder bridges etc.

[@remilove2529]

Seems to me that they actually made it to the top and as they were coming down something might have happened

[@EricaBiamonte-k1x]

I have a question but it’s not about this subject. Do you have a way to receive messages?

[@EverestMystery]

Check the About section on the channel home page 😎

[@EricaBiamonte-k1x]

@ I did but didn’t see anything. But my question is, do you know if he French KZbinr Inès Benazzouz, submitted? Some articles say he did and some said he didn’t. I just watched the documentary and it shows he did. And did he ascend at the same time as our Ryan? I didn’t know who else to ask. I think he submitted, (it shows he did) but the internet was telling me he didn’t. Thank you I didn’t know who else to ask.

[@EricaBiamonte-k1x]

* summit not submitted.

[@EverestMystery]

@@EricaBiamonte-k1x I think he did make it to the summit. But, I admit, I've found no absolute answer.The documentary is insanely fascinating.

[@EricaBiamonte-k1x]

@@EverestMystery thank you. You are so kind. The doc really showed a true Everest experience, I think. I believe he did because of the footage.

[@photonotavailable7936]

Outstanding video. Thank you so much. I’m becoming addicted to your channel and all things Mallory and Irvine. Peace out ✌️.

[@greedytoski]

very interesting - thanks you very much! I like to think that they were the first who summited the Everest. Now, does any body knows how fast the Rongbuk slips down ? how many meters per year ? Whether the body Chinese saw on the ridge in 1995 was Irwin's or not... we could guess subject where the boot was found and how fast glacier goes.

[@davidbaldwin1591]

What is the snow covered claw item at the bottom of Mallory's shoe. It doesn't look like the cleats. Does it hold stockings back?

[@seanmorris]

@davidbaldwin1591 Aren't those the same flat cleats as on the periphery of the other side of the boot (part piercing the sole, part going up the outside of the sole)? Whilst on the subject of the cleats though, two things that peaked my interest. The line of three cleats at the front of the heel showing damage (wear and tear?) Absence of cleats at the tip of the sole (ripped out during self arrest?)

[@barbaraprest783]

🎉🎉🎉

[@sokaikat674]

How far is it estimated that Mallory fell?

[@cosmicjive4746]

He was found 2,300 feet from the summit so 🤷‍♂️

[@krumplethemal8831]

It's hard to say but I remember in the documentary they examined his body position very extensively also hoping to find the camera. Anyways the majority thought was he survived the fall. Was probably still conscious because there were signs by his position that he was reacting to pain from probably a broken leg. They theorized he died shorty after stopping at the spot he was found from internal hermoraging. He had clenched fists and his left leg was draped over his right and indication that you instinctively do when a leg is broken, the body closes up as a way to nurse the pain. He probably fell 1200 feet. If you assume the altitude where the ice axe was found. A very significant fall. I think they summited. Because the area above where the ice axe is found is not extreme in any sense of the word. It's as if they were taking a breather and we're probably roped to each other and one of them slipped and they slid off the mountain. I think they were exhausted and typically on the way down mistakes are made, oxygen is low or spent. Sit down to rest, get dizzy and slip when standing back up.

[@IanRosie1]

Seeing Mallory's watch again reminds me of Jake Norton's? attempt to climb the third step without using the ladder. Didn't he have to jamb? 25 years ago now, so my memory is probably jumbling things up.

[@jacekkozianski711]

The ladder is on the 2nd Step, always has been, it is not on the 3rd Step.

[@IanRosie1]

@@jacekkozianski711 Thank you.

[@markandrewrathof1583]

It looks like regardless of whether Mallory made the summit or not, the first step most likely was his last and he possibly fell from that point and down to where his final resting place is? Or He succumbed to exposure, collapsed and was respectfully removed off of the path by proceeding climbers?

[@kamakaziozzie3038]

That first photo. Looks like they be hitting some serious rays without sunscreen

[@greglima408]

Sandy Irvine was badly sunburned during the expedition.

[@jwillow2642]

if the Chinese found irwin body decades ago, and now his skeleton foot been found, did they say at the time his skeleton foot was missing ? am I right ?

[@drpiv]

It's just almost impossible to understand the scale. How ginormous every millimeter is on this map lol