Conrad Anker and Leo Houlding summited Mount Everest earlier today, whilst retracing the steps of the 1924 expedition, when George Mallory and Sandy Irvine disappeared high on the mountain during a summit attempt.

The pair were members of an expedition filming a documentary about the 1924 expedition. By climbing in clothing similar to that worn by Mallory and Irvine they hoped to find out whether it was technically possible for them to have reached the summit. Although it appears that Anker and Houlding wore more conventional clothing on summit day.

During their ascent of the NE ridge Anker and Houlding succeeded in free climbing the Second Step, a 100-feet high wall of rock 800 feet below the summit. This section of the climb utilises a ladder and fixed ropes, but Chinese authorities gave special permission to the expedition for the removal of the ladder and ropes. By reaching the summit without these aids, the expedition believes it has added weight to the theory that Mallory and Irvine may have climbed to the summit 29 years before Hillary and Tenzing.

The documentary is due to be released next year.

For more information visit the Altitude Everest Expedition website

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