Detectives on Everest: The 2001 Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition

by Jochen Hemmleb, Eric R. Simonson

Discusses new discoveries and artifacts found on the Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition's 2001 follow-up journey to Everest in search of new information on the fate of Andrew Irvine.

Genres: History, Adventure, Mountaineering, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[De Wet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much new about Mallory and Irvine here, far too little to fill a whole book. So, instead, the authors provide a lot of detail about other expeditions up the mountain. We get more information about the 1924 and 1933 expeditions, the Chinese in 1960, and so on.

So, if you're looking for information about older Everest expeditions in general, as well as some interesting artifact hunting, this is a good read (also includes a daring rescue on the mountain by members of the party).

If you are hoping for more clarity on Mallory and Irvine, there's not much here apart from the team finding the 1924 Camp VI and some other tidbits that contribute little to solving the mystery.

[VRDrive · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall better than the first book, more images that actually showcase what they found and a deeper dive into the Chinese expeditions of 1960 and 1975. Also less about the logistics of the expedition and more about the interactions between the climbers on the mountain. Also really interesting review with the Chinese 1960 climbers, lots of information in this book that is hard to find elsewhere.. 4.5 stars

[Amerynth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Detectives on Everest" tells the story of the 2001 expedition that unsuccessfully searched for the remains of Sandy Irvine. They hoped to find a camera that would prove once in for all whether in 1924 Irvine and George Mallory actually reached the summit of Mt. Everest, but the camera remains missing.

While the team didn't find what they were looking for, they did find a treasure trove of artifacts from both Mallory's expedition and several later Chinese ascents. They offer tantalizing hints that Mallory and Irvine could possibly have reached the summit before plunging to their deaths. (At least, they were the more convincing arguments along that line that I've ever read.)

Also included in the book is a great rescue story where they helped several climbers down after a night up high on the mountain. The members of the expedition gave up their summit bid on a beautiful day-- all the while other climbers marched past them and even refused to help.

Well-written and with lots of great photographs of artifacts, this is a really interesting look at Mt. Everest and the early attempts to reach its peak.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles the search for Sandy Irvine's body on the north side of Everest by the same team that found George Mallory's body. The high-altitude archaeological work was fascinating, but I found the description of a high-altitude rescue to be a wonderful description of morality and sacrifice on Everest, something that is lacking with the new type of client climbers that flock to this high peak.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

More background on the tale

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing stuff!