A recent discovery on Mount Everest has sent shockwaves through the mountaineering world, with the remains of a British climber missing for nearly a century believed to have been uncovered. A human foot and a boot and sock bearing the name "A.C. Irvine" were discovered on the Central Rongbuk Glacier last month by a National Geographic expedition headed by intrepid traveler Jimmy Chin.

@Jimmy Chin/bbc.com

These remains are thought to belong to Andrew "Sandy" Irvine, the 22-year-old who vanished in 1924 while attempting to reach Everest's summit alongside his partner, George Mallory.

The significance of the discovery is monumental, as Irvine was believed to be carrying a Kodak camera on that ill-fated climb. Irvine and Mallory may have rewritten mountaineering history if the camera is located and the images show that they made it to the top of Everest, decades before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay did!

@GettyImages/bbc.com

Irvine’s family, including his great-niece and biographer Julie Summers, was overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing the news. Summers described it as a poignant moment, expressing hope that this discovery will provide some closure. DNA testing is being considered to confirm the identity of the remains, which are now in the custody of Chinese authorities, who manage the north side of Everest.

The find has reduced the search area for the camera, which many view as the "Holy Grail" of Everest exploration. Chin expressed optimism, stating that the discovery has brought the mystery closer to resolution. However, he refrained from revealing the exact location to prevent trophy hunters from disturbing the site.

@Jimmy Chin/bbc.com

This discovery comes during the 100th anniversary of Irvine’s disappearance, reigniting debates and interest in one of mountaineering's greatest unsolved mysteries. For both Irvine's family and the wider climbing community, this could mark a significant step toward answering long-standing questions about Everest's early history.