On May 1, 1999, American climber Conrad Anker noticed a large, flat slab of rock while climbing the north face of Mount Everest.
On May 1, 1999, American climber Conrad Anker noticed a large, flat slab of rock while climbing the north face of Mount Everest.
However, as he approached to take a closer look, he realized that the “rock” was actually the exposed back of George Mallory, a famous British explorer who had
disappeared on the mountain about 75 years earlier — and who may have been the first person to reach its summit.
Over time, most of Mallory’s clothing had deteriorated, but the freezing conditions of Everest had preserved much of his body, allowing experts to piece together the final moments of his life. Since Mallory’s right leg and arm were broken, and an ice axe was found above him, it appeared that he had likely died after a severe fall during his climb.
Tragically, his death was probably not quick. Before dying, Mallory apparently crossed his healthy leg over the broken one to ease the pain, fully aware that any hope of survival was gone.