George Mallory

Profession: Mountain Climber

Nationality:

Biography: George Herbert Leigh Mallory (1886–1924) was an English mountaineer who took part in the early British expeditions to Mount Everest in the early 1920s. Mallory is particularly remember for his legendary response to the question "Why climb Everest?" to which he replied, "Because it's there."

Mallory was a key figure in the pioneering days of Mount Everest exploration. Before the successful ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, Mallory was part of the 1921 British Everest reconnaissance expedition, which was the first to explore the northern approach to Everest via Tibet, as Nepal was closed to Westerners at that time.

Mallory returned to Everest with the 1922 British Mount Everest expedition, the first to attempt an actual ascent of the world's highest peak. This expedition was groundbreaking and managed to reach an impressive height of nearly 27,000 feet with the aid of supplemental oxygen. They were forced to retreat, however, due to adverse weather conditions.

His final and most famous expedition was the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition. During this attempt, Mallory and his climbing partner, Andrew "Sandy" Irvine, disappeared on the North-East ridge during their climb. The pair were last sighted only a few hundred meters from the summit, and their disappearance became one of mountaineering's most famous mysteries.

Mallory's ultimate fate was unknown until 1999 when his body was discovered on the north face of Everest. Whether he and Irvine had actually reached the summit remains a subject of speculation and debate.

Born: June 18, 1886
Birthplace: Mobberley, Cheshire, England

Generation: Lost Generation
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: June 8, 1924 (aged 37)
Cause of Death: Climbing accident