Level 1 Reading 12A

Ch.23

Reading 12A MYSTERY ON THE MOUNTAIN Were Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay really the first people to reach the top of the world's highest mountain? Some believe that British climbers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine reached the summit before them in June 1924. Unfortunately, this is difficult to prove because both men vanished somewhere high on the mountain. A Body in the Snow In 1999, a team of climbers visited the mountain, hoping to solve this mystery. Near the First Step, on the way to the summit, the team found Mallory's oxygen tank— evidence that he and Irvine had been near the top. Close by, a member of the team—Conrad Anker—discovered Mallory's body. When the team examined Mallory's body, they found items like a knife and matches, but no photos. Why is this important? Mallory had carried a photo of his wife with him. He had planned to leave the photo at the top of the mountain, if he reached it.

First to the Top? Did Mallory and Irvine achieve their goal and reach the summit? Probably not, according to Anker. Here are some reasons for his conclusion. Difficult path/Poor equipment: Mallory and Irvine were last seen near the mountain's Second Step. This is a 27-meter wall of rock. Climbing this section is extremely difficult, even with modern climbing equipment. Without the right tools, it is unlikely that Mallory and Irvine were able to continue to the top. No frostbite: Mallory and Irvine were seen near the summit late in the day. Climbers who reach the summit at this time need to camp at the top. If you do this, it is common to suffer from frostbite. But Mallory's body had no signs of frostbite. So what happened to Mallory and Irvine? Anker thinks they probably turned back just after the First Step. When Mallory was going down the mountain, perhaps he accidentally fell. Irvine's body has never been found. Whatever happened, they will always be remembered as early mountaineering heroes.

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