Everest climber Owen’s feet believed to have been discovered 100 years later

A foot believed to belong to a British climber who disappeared 100 years in the past has been discovered on Mount Everest, a discovery that would clear up one of many mountaineering world’s greatest mysteries.

In June 1924, Andrew Comyn “Sandy” Irvine tried to climb Mount Everest together with his associate, however the two disappeared. Whereas his associate’s physique was ultimately recovered, Owen’s physique was by no means discovered.

However final month, a climbing staff tripped over melting ice from a glacier whereas filming a Nationwide Geographic documentary.

Famed adventurer Jimmy Chin, who led the staff, hailed the invention as a “monumental and thrilling second.”

Many questioned whether or not his staff had succeeded in changing into the primary individuals to summit Everest, 29 years earlier than Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

Over time, some individuals have tried Searching for Owen’s body It’s stated that the digital camera he carried contained undeveloped movie, which may show that he and his climbing associate George Mallory had succeeded.

In response to studies, British authorities are presently utilizing DNA samples to confirm the id of the foot. National Geographic magazine report. The BBC has requested the International, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace for remark.

However the filmmaking staff is pretty assured it belongs to Irvine, because the socks discovered contained in the boots had “AC Irvine” embroidered on them.

“I imply, man… there is a label on it,” Chin stated.

The invention was made by the staff in September whereas descending from the Rongbuk Glacier within the heart of Mount Everest’s north face.

Alongside the way in which, they discovered an oxygen bottle marked with the date 1933.

Inspired by this potential signal that Owen’s physique is likely to be close by, the staff searched the glacier for a number of days till one in all them noticed a boot rising from the melting ice.

It was a serendipitous website – they estimated the ice had melted solely every week earlier than the invention.

The foot was reportedly eliminated resulting from considerations about crows disturbing it and handed over to Chinese language mountaineering authorities who handle Everest’s north slope.

Julie Summers, a descendant of Owen, stated in an announcement that she was “moved to tears” when Mr Chen advised her of the invention. “This was and can at all times be a unprecedented and poignant second.”

“Generally, life’s biggest discoveries occur once you’re not trying. This can be a monumental and thrilling second for us and our complete floor staff, and we simply hope that this lastly results in his Family members and climbers have peace of thoughts all through the world,” stated Chin, greatest recognized for producing the Oscar-winning climbing documentary “Free Solo.”

Owen was 22 when he disappeared, making him the youngest member of an expedition that has captured the eye of the mountaineering group for a century.

The pair had been final seen alive on June 8, 1924, as they set out for the summit.

It wasn’t till 1999 that an American climber found Mallory’s physique. The seek for the climber’s stays has been mired in controversy in latest a long time amid suspicions The body was moved.