The oldest body that has been discovered on Mount Everest is that of George Mallory.
George Mallory's Story
George Herbert Leigh Mallory, born on June 18, 1886, was a British mountaineer who participated in three early British expeditions to Mount Everest in the 1920s. He is famous for his disappearance with Andrew "Sandy" Irvine on the North Face of Everest on June 8 or 9, 1924.
Mallory’s and Irvine’s disappearance created a lasting mystery: whether they had reached the summit before their demise. Mallory was just 37 years old when he died in a mountaineering accident.
Mallory's body was eventually discovered on May 1, 1999, a full 75 years after his disappearance.
Key Facts About George Mallory
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | George Herbert Leigh Mallory |
| Birth Date | June 18, 1886 |
| Death Date | June 8 or 9, 1924 |
| Age at Death | 37 years old |
| Cause of Death | Mountaineering accident |
| Discovery Date | May 1, 1999 |
Significance of the Discovery
The discovery of George Mallory's body provided closure to one of the greatest mountaineering mysteries. While the discovery of his remains did not definitively answer whether he and Irvine reached the summit, it did lead to considerable interest in the history of early attempts on Mount Everest and remains of historical importance.
