The valiant attempt of a mountaineer ascending Mount Everest was captured in his last missive to his wife, now revealed after a century. The letter, penned 100 years ago, has finally been shared through digital platforms. He was George Mallory, who at the age of 37, went missing on Mount Everest in 1924 along with his companion Andrew Irvine. The enigma of whether they reached the Everest summit lingers to this day. After years of debate, Mallory's body was discovered in 1999 near the summit.
While Irvine's remains have never been found, the heartfelt exchange between Mallory and his wife through their letters has surfaced a century later. Experts at Cambridge University released these letters digitally. Mallory's last letter, dated 27th May 1924, conveyed the slim chances of his expedition's success. On 3rd March 1924, his wife wrote back expressing her longing and apologies for disagreements.
A Guardian report reveals George Mallory's encouragement to his wife, 'The odds are 50 to 1 against us, but we shall try and make it honorable. Bless you, darling, I hope all anxiety will be over ere you get this, which it will be very soon. All my love. Always your loving, George.' In Ruth's letter, she eagerly awaits George's return and reminisces their times together, regretting any unintentional wrongs.
Source: aajtak
According to an Independent report, the digitally released letters shed light on Mallory's life, including insights into his initial Everest expeditions in 1921 and 1922. He felt responsible for the death of seven Sherpas in an avalanche. The letters also reflect on Mallory's experiences during World War I, particularly his service in the artillery during the Battle of the Somme. In 1999, three letters were found in Mallory's jacket, preserved for 75 years, and now available online, including correspondence from his brother Trafford Leigh-Mallory, Stella Cobden-Sanderson, and sister Mary Brooke.
