Mallory-Irvine Expedition Finds 1924 Clothes

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.