Climbers from the Mallory-Irvine Research Expedition have
reportedly found a sock and mitten thought to be from the 1924
expedition, some 2000 feet below the summit of Everest, but are still
uncertain of the position of the 1924 High Camp.
The items were found in a shallow gully close to the North Ridge
of Everest, in an area which they think may be the site of the 1924
High Camp at around 27,000 feet. The expedition
web site reports that further excavation in the area is being
hampered by strong winds and frozen rubble at the site which
expedition leader Eric Simonson jokes would require either a 'back
hoe or high explosives' to investigate further.
The expedition historian reports that the camp site 'is becoming a
true needle in a haystack'. A disappointment as the team hopes that
the site might yield useful notebooks and evidence about equipment
and oxygen apparatus which might be useful. Historical evidence being
used by the team seems contradictorary on some points and the
climbers are still searching.
The expedition has also pinpointed the site of the 1975 Chinese
Expedition camp six, from where a Chinese climber originally reported
seeing 'English dead', the discovery which lies at the heart of the
whole Mallory-Irvine search as well as a number of other Chinese
expedition camps dating from 1960.
Latest information from the expedition
web site.
Craghoppers
are the sole British sponsor of the expedition.
