Anker describes discovering remains of Mallory on Everest
Climber Conrad Anker described the ascent of the “same route pioneered by George Mallory … up the north ridge” last Friday at USU.
Mallory died climbing Mount Everest in 1924. Whether he was climbing up or down is unknown, but Conrad Anker is the one who found his remains below “a nasty point of rock called the second step.”
Anker spoke to climbers and outdoorsmen of all ages in a lecture series sponsored by Associated Students of Utah State University Student Activities Board, The North Face and Al’s Sporting Goods.
He has made a specialty of climbing what is known to be the most technically challenging terrain he can find. This search has taken him from the icefalls of Alaska and Antarctica to the big walls of Patagonia, from mixed climbs in the Alps and Russia, to the massive peaks of the Himalayas.
The lecture consisted of Anker rolling through a slide show and describing various expeditions and climbs he has participated in. The climax of the night was as he described the events that occurred while climbing on Mount Everest.
He had always looked forward to the moment when he would peak the summit of Mount Everest but “when I got there it was cold, miserable and desperate.”
Anker also unveiled a large mystery in the climbing world: What happened to George Mallory.
“I saw something on the scenery that wasn’t natural,” he said.
It turned out to be the body of George Mallory.
“It was a touching and moving moment,” he said.
Anker then shared Psalms 103 which he felt was appropriate after finding the body of such a great man.
Mallory was found at the elevation of 8,200 meters.
Mallory’s body was held by a 15-foot rope that had mysteriously broken. He also had a broken right ankle which may have been a result of a fall. It remains a mystery, however whether or not Mallory and his partner actually reached the top.
“My belief is that they didn’t make it to the summit,” Anker said. “It would have been one of the most amazing climbing feats.”
Anker described his most rewarding experience was when he took about 15 Down’s syndrome children cross country skiing.
Anker currently resides in Big Oak Flat, Calif., just outside Yosemite National Park.