### Significant Discovery Could Shed Light on 1924 Disappearance of Mountaineer Sandy Irvine

In a potentially groundbreaking discovery related to the almost 100-year-old mystery of British mountaineer Andrew Comyn "Sandy" Irvine's 1924 disappearance, a team of climbers has unearthed a preserved sock with the initials 'A.C. Irvine' from a boot revealed by melting ice on Mount Everest. The climbers, affiliated with National Geographic and led by the Oscar-winning director Jimmy Chin, made this discovery last month while descending the Central Rongbuk Glacier on Everest's north face.

Irvine, only 22 years old at the time, was part of the third British expedition attempting to scale Mount Everest. He and his climbing partner, George Mallory, were last seen alive on June 8, 1924, embarking on their historic climb. The find has sparked renewed interest in the century-old mystery of their disappearance.

The boot and the sock have been sent to the China Tibet Mountaineering Association, which manages climbing permits for Everest's northern side. Moreover, the Royal Geographical Society in London has been notified about the discovery. Julie Summers, Irvine’s great-niece and biographer, has also been informed. The family has provided a DNA sample to verify if the boot belonged to Irvine.

"It is remarkable that this discovery was made in the centenary year of Sandy's disappearance," Summers stated. She reflected on how the mystery of her uncle Sandy had haunted her since childhood. The story felt more tangible after George Mallory’s remains were found in 1999. She had often wondered if Irvine's body would be next but thought it unlikely in recent years. "When Jimmy told me that he saw the name A.C. Irvine on the label on the sock inside the boot, I found myself moved to tears. It was and will remain an extraordinary and poignant moment," Summers added.

Discussing the discovery, Chin expressed it was both monumental and emotional for his team, which included filmmakers Erich Roepke and Mark Fisher. They also found an oxygen bottle dating back to 1933 from the fourth British Everest Expedition, which took place nine years after Irvine went missing. Although this particular expedition did not succeed, they found an item belonging to Irvine.

Chin's team believes the discovery of the oxygen bottle suggested Irvine’s body might be close by. The boot was found after several additional days of searching. The team estimates that the ice had only recently melted, making this serendipitous discovery possible.