Everest’s great mystery finally solved? Sandy Irvine’s remains found 100 years after the climber vanished

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, the youngest member of the 1924 Mount Everest expedition, disappeared on the upper slopes alongside George Mallory on 8 June that year while attempting to become the first people to climb the world’s highest peak. Front, from left: Edward Shebbeare, Geoffrey Bruce, Howard Somervell and Bentley Beetham open image in gallery A sock embroidered with "A.C. Irvine", along with a boot, has been discovered on the Central Rongbuk Glacier The finding offers the first meaningful insight into the young man’s death since the ill-fated expedition to the 8,849m peak – with the Irvine family having volunteered to compare DNA test results with the remains to confirm his identity. Everest mystery: Sandy Irvine’s remains found 100 years later open image in gallery Andrew ‘Sandy’ Irvine, George Mallory, Edward Felix Norton The final ascent Although the expedition was poorly planned and marred by illness, Mallory and Irvine prepared for their final ascent on June 8. It was and will remain an extraordinary and poignant moment.” open image in gallery Jimmy Chin led the small team which made the breakthrough discovery ‘We weren’t even looking’ – Jimmy Chin “Any expedition to Everest follows in the shadow of Irvine and Mallory,” Chin said.