British mountaineers who vanished during 1924 mission to climb Mount Everest ... trends now
British mountaineers who vanished during a 1924 expedition to the top of Mount Everest are unlikely to have reached the top before they died, an author has claimed.
George Mallory, 37, and Sandy Irvine, 22, were last seen alive on the northeast ridge of the mountain at around 12pm on June 8 1924.
Now, 100 years on from their death, author Graham Hoyland has claimed in his forthcoming book 'First on Everest', that the two explorers never made it to the summit because a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure meant they were walking into an 'invisible death trap'.
The 66-year old is a descendant of one of Mallory and Irvine fellow expeditioners, the meteorologist on the mission, Howard Somervell, who kept a detailed log in a handwritten diary.
George Mallory, 37, (left) and Sandy Irvine, 22, (right) were last seen alive on the northeast ridge of the mountain at around 12pm on June 8 1924
Members of the 1924 Mount Everest Expedition in camp. Sandy Irvine (top left) standing next to George Mallory. Howard Somervell (front row, second from the right)
This is the famous last image taken of George Mallory (left) and Sandy Irvine before the pair were to disappear into the mists and never be seen again alive again
Ahead of his book launch Mr Hoyland will discuss his findings at the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) stating after deep analysis of Mr Somervell's personal notes that he no longer believes the team reached the summit.
He told the Times: 'Previously I believed in death and glory but I had to change my mind. When the facts change, if you're honest with yourself, you have to change your mind.'
Mr Somervell notes, Mr Hoyland claims, prove that there was a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure between June 8 and June 9 - when the duo are believed to have perished.
Lower air pressure means fewer molecules of oxygen in the atmosphere, making
