Clue to Everest mystery discovered: Remains of climber Andrew Irvine, who vanished in 1924, found 100 years later

The fate of Irvine and whether the two climbers ever reached the summit continues to intrigue historians and mountaineers alike. (Image: everest_today/Instagram)

A century-old mystery on Mount Everest may finally be close to resolution. A National Geographic team recently discovered what they believe to be the remains of Andrew "Sandy" Irvine, who vanished during a 1924 expedition with renowned climber George Mallory. This incredible find was triggered by a boot melting out of the ice, which led to the discovery of a human foot.

“I lifted the sock, and inside was a red label stitched with ‘A.C. IRVINE,’” said filmmaker Jimmy Chin, describing the emotional moment. The revelation could provide the first substantial evidence of what happened to Irvine and Mallory during their ill-fated climb.

Clue in the Central Rongbuk Glacier
In September, the National Geographic team, including filmmakers Jimmy Chin, Erich Roepke, and Mark Fisher, were exploring the Central Rongbuk Glacier. While there, they examined the boot that had caught their attention, leading to the significant discovery.

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On June 8, 1924, Irvine and Mallory set out for the summit of Mount Everest. They were last seen by fellow climber Noel Odell through a break in the clouds, just 800 feet below the summit. What happened after remains one of mountaineering’s greatest mysteries. Mallory's body was discovered in 1999, but Irvine's remains have never been definitively found—until now, with the recent discovery of the boot and foot believed to be his.

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Evidence Sheds Light on Everest Mystery
The discovery of the boot could help solve one of Everest’s greatest mysteries: Did Irvine and Mallory reach the summit before falling? If confirmed, they would have reached the peak nearly 30 years before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s historic climb in 1953.

“It’s the first real evidence of where Sandy ended up,” Chin said. The discovery has led to fresh hopes of uncovering what happened that fateful day.

Chin shared the discovery with Irvine’s great-niece, Julie Summers, who expressed cautious optimism. "I’m regarding it as something close to closure," she said. The family has offered DNA samples to confirm the remains' identity, bringing the possibility of finally closing a century-old chapter in Everest's history.