On June 8, 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine disappeared on Mount Everest¡¯s Northeast Ridge, leaving behind an enduring question: did they achieve the summit before their tragic end? Drawing on his extraordinary experience as the only living person to have looked into Mallory¡¯s preserved face, the author offers a unique perspective on their fateful climb. By combining historical evidence, physical clues discovered on Everest, and the emotional gravity of retracing their steps, Pollard provides a compelling analysis of what might have unfolded during their final hours on the mountain.

But this book is not just about the author's four expeditions to Everest, or his ill-fated ancient reed ship expedition to Easter Island, or killer Alaskan storms on Denali. It includes the tragic suicide of a brother, betrayal on the mountain, and how the author turned profound loss into a catalyst for personal evolution. Here there are lessons in gratitude and the redemptive power of nature, risk, and connection to the world.