I remember growing up hearing stories of my great-grandfather George Leigh Mallory and his legacy. He was an avid climber and went on three expeditions to climb Everest in the early 1920s. The last, in 1924, would ultimately cost him his life along with his climbing partner Sandy Irvine.
Fascinated by him and his adventures from a young age, and having inherited some of the Mallory spirit myself, I had long hoped to visit the Himalayas and see Everest for myself.
With the 100th anniversary of George Mallory's fateful last climb approaching, I knew I wanted to be at Everest Base Camp for it. I asked to wait until autumn to have my next surgery, took a sabbatical from work, and with what savings I had, set off to Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp. I planned to be there on June 8th, 100 years to the day that he was last seen tantalizingly close to the summit.
I found iTrek Everest online, initially drawn to them as they seemed to be the only trekking company to offer an overnight stay at Base Camp. Most trekkers will trek there and back out again the same day. After e-mailing to inquire about booking this trip of a lifetime, I knew I'd picked the right company to go with.
Rick was incredibly helpful in organizing the trip to fit around my dates, even though it was actually coming to the end of the trekking season and few people trek at that time of year. He was very knowledgeable about the treks and clearly had a lot of experience trekking in Nepal. He suggested day treks, such as Ama Dablam Base Camp, which I might enjoy and would be a great acclimatization trek. Rick and his family had done it themselves recently, and it was one of my favorite days. I'm so glad we did this!
The trek was simply amazing. Sonam is a fantastic guide, and his experience and knowledge made this trip so special. He could answer any question I threw at him, whether it was about the plants and wildlife of the Khumbu Valley, the culture, history, and traditions of the villages, or even the infrastructure and how the valley has changed with the increase of tourism in recent years. He was flexible with our plans to suit the needs of the whole group, made sure we were all safe and acclimatizing well, and perhaps most importantly, he made it so much fun. He got us all smiling and laughing through the whole trek, even on the harder days.
On June 7th, we made it to Everest Base Camp. The weather had been fantastic all day, with barely a cloud in sight, and we had stunning views of all the mountains, including Everest, of course. With the climbing season over, we were the only people at Base Camp that night! As if sleeping on a glacier with the Himalayas looming over you isn't good enough, we had the place all to ourselves. I woke up at Everest Base Camp on June 8th, 100 years to the day he was last spotted high on the mountain.
The mystery of whether Mallory and Irvine did in fact reach the summit remains to this day. Mallory's body was found in 1999, and though it gave clues as to what may have happened on that fateful day, no definitive proof emerged. Irvine and the camera they carried remain lost to this day. If found, they could reveal at last if they did indeed reach the summit.
It was an incredible experience getting to Base Camp and sleeping there, but even better to feel closer to my great-grandfather, looking up at the same peak he was climbing 100 years ago. I can see why he was so captivated by mountains, and Everest in particular. It's completely awe-inspiring to be surrounded by such enormous and beautiful mountains, and it's a struggle to pull my eyes away. But I leave feeling closer now to this family legacy, and my great-grandfather, who is both an enigma and an inspiration to me.
I'm already planning my next trip back with iTrek Everest to climb Island Peak. With my family history, it's definitely past time I got some summits of my own under my belt.
Great Granddaughter Honors George Mallory
Freja Evelyn Hollow, great-granddaughter of British explorer George Mallory came to Everest Base Camp to mark her great-grandfather's 100th anniversary of an enduring Everest mystery.
George Mallory was a famous British explorer who attempted to summit Everest in 1924. His body was found in 1999 at 8,155m below the summit of Everest.
Freja's EBC trek marks the 100th anniversary of an enduring mystery surrounding Mallory's fateful attempt to summit Mount Everest in 1924. Mallory's pioneering spirit and quest for adventure captured the world's imagination, yet tragically, his expedition ended in mystery as he disappeared on the mountain's treacherous slopes. It wasn't until 1999 that his remains were discovered at an astonishing altitude of 8,155 meters, shedding light on his extraordinary journey and the challenges he faced.
Freja's presence at the base camp not only honors her great-grandfather's legacy but also symbolizes the enduring spirit of exploration and the relentless pursuit of discovery that continues to inspire generations.
From Everest Base Camp, Freja documented her trekking experience
