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Comments
Set 4, posted May 7, 1999
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E-mail from Audrey Salkeld Received May 7, 1999
Dear Liesl,
I have several thoughts on your May 6 dispatch,
"Pieces of the Puzzle."
First the marks on the ice axe. There is not, as the
correspondent in the Daily Telegraph implied yesterday, just
one set of marks on the ice axe found in 1933. it is not a
question of three notches or a cross. Both marks are visible
on the one axe. The three notches are pretty well identical
to those on the swagger stick belonging to Irvine - these
two items will be displayed side by side, I understand, at
the exhibition later this month at Sandy's old School,
Shrewsbury. The cross is a rough identification mark and is
surely the mark Wyn-Harris's sherpa made.
When it comes to the three steps, the so-called 'Third Step'
entered The 'literature' by that name in my book
People in High Places. Until then the argument had
been solely between the First and Second Steps. It had
appeared that, under questioning, Odell thought it must have
been the Second Step where he saw the two climbers; when
told later that his vision couldn't have been enacted upon
the Second Step in the timescale he'd given, he conceded it
might have been the First. By the 1930s he was writing that
he thought he was right first time. But for the rest of his
life he wavered and when David and I interviewed him in 1986
he said words to the effect that 'to this day' he couldn't
be sure on which of the two steps he'd seen them, but see
them he did.
The possibility of them being higher struck me when I saw
that black and white photograph on which a lesser 'third
step' appears. And it was only after making the suggestion
that I saw Odell's diary entry for the first time - which
may very well have been the first thing he jotted down after
the sighting. That is where he says 'on ridge nearing base
of the final pyramide'.
Best wishes,
Audrey
Comment:
News of the discovery of Mallory brings a partial closure to
those of us who were fortunate enough to hear Noel
Odell's talk and his lantern slide presentation during a
symposium in Yosemite in the early 1980s. Noel was the last
person to have seen Mallory alive. Too bad he can't be
present when Mallory's camera will be ultimately found,
revealing whether he was truly the first man to reach the
world's highest summit.
Campy Bishop, CA
Comment:
This is why I have a computer. I'll be with you every
step.
I am a 32-year-old father of three and my children and I are
eagerly watching and reading the updates. After the
operation is concluded, one of my daughters will write a
paper on the Mt. Everest Mystery and the subsequent search.
Thank you for a wonderful learning tool and inviting the
world to participate.
(name witheld by request)
Comment:
To the dedicated members of this inspiring expedition:
As one who's loved being in and among the mountains (though
mostly the Whites of NH, Adirondacks of NY, and nothing
higher than Rainier and the Grand Teton) as you do, Everest
and its history have held my interest since I was 13 (35
years ago). And the mystery of Mallory and Irvine has been a
centerpiece of that fascination. Recently, in discussing my
preparations for a presentation on White Mountain history, a
librarian on Nantucket Island talked about her passion for
historical information that adds to one's "Sense of Place."
I can't express how much you've added to the "Sense of
Place" regarding Mt. Everest, for me and, I'm sure, others
like me. It's a very tangible feeling, despite the fact that
you guys are thousands of miles away, and close to 20,000
feet above most of us. After reading the first account of
your discovery in the newspaper and visiting the Web site, I
was excitedly looking for someone to share the news with.
Wished I had been in the mountains among people who, I knew,
share my excitement, and reverence for what your team is
endeavoring to do.
And then, while awaiting some commentary on your discovery
on last night's Lehrer Report on PBS, I was treated to the
thoughtful commentary of David Breashears, seasoned with a
bit of Edmund Hillary! 'Couldn't have been a better
combination!
Good luck fellas, best wishes, and may the rest of your
climb be happy, safe and successful. Even if you don't find
Irvine, you've already accomplished a lion's share. And
thanks for sharing it with modest-mountaineers like me.
You've created a living link to an important piece of
mountaineering and exploration history. I'll be watching for
your updates and thinking good thoughts for each and every
one of you. If Mallory's spirit is somehow a witness to your
efforts, I'm sure he's deeply gratified.
One Final Note: Mr. Breashears, - I've seen your IMAX film
masterpiece, have been reading accounts of the IMAX
expedition in the National Geographic book, and read
Krakauer's as well - You and your IMAX team (your response
to the '96 Everest tragedy) exemplified the essence of real
teamwork and selfless commitment to fellow climbers. You all
were heroes in the true sense of the word, although none of
you sought that recognition or publicity. You simply did
what you knew had to be done in the midst of physical
barriers so severe as to be virtually unimaginable to most
of us. A benchmark that few of us will equal, but worth the
effort at all times, just the same.
(name witheld by request)
Comment:
Hello—I'm Andrew Irvine's official biographer, and
wanted to congratulate NOVA on its fine work. I can't wait
to view [the] program.
All my best,
Salena Moffat
Comment:
Hey team:
Just wanted to send my best wishes to the team attempting
the Everest expedition. Your courage, efforts, and exciting
adventure are an inspiration to us all. Having taught
history, and now teaching health and fitness, I'm so
impressed with your physical efforts, combined with your
adventurous exploration. You guys are truly modern day
explorers who we can all look up to.
Best wishes, good luck, and God be with you.
Sincerely,
Cary Lindley Houston, TX
Comment:
I teach 7th graders and we are covering Mt. Everest and the
Himalayas this year. Earlier this year we went to see the
IMAX film Everest and we have talked about Hillary and
Norgay. My students are fascinated (one has even decided he
wants to climb Everest!), so when I came across this site I
shared it with them. Many of them are now checking daily to
see what is discovered. They think it would be wild to
change the history books! We can't wait for the outcome!
Thanks for bringing something they find so interesting to
them in such a great way. Best of Luck!
Tani Woodlief Jonesboro, GA
Comment:
Congratulations.
I have been intrigued by this mystery since reading Holzel
and Salkeld's book. To have the question "solved," albeit in
part and overcoming such odds, must be rewarding.
Regards,
Dennis Stocks Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Comment:
This is a great site for those who are fascinated with
Everest. You just can't get enough stories of the
relationship between the man and the Mountain. Each person
has their own insight as to their feelings as they attempt
to summit. It is so neat to hear each perspective.
Please keep this site and keep up the updates. I look
forward to each update and I look forward to your special on
this year's search for Mallory.
Thanks again for providing this web site....
(name witheld by request)
Comment:
Every person with an interest in history and adventure would
want like to know if Mallory reached the summit of Mt.
Everest and I applaud your outstanding effort to gather the
facts and for finding Mallory's body.
You will know that many experienced climbers with superior
clothing, climbing gear, breathing apparatus,
telecommunications, support teams and detailed maps have
abandoned attempts a lot closer to the summit than where
Mallory's body was found. Not all of them have survived.
I am disappointed that your efforts have seemed to undermine
by casting doubt on the outstanding achievement of Sir
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in being the first to
conquer Mt. Everest in 1953. These men are national and
international icons and to undermine their achievement with
what amounts to little more than a guess is disgraceful.
If there is evidence to prove Mallory was successful in his
brave endeavor then let us examine it for authenticity and
make a positive statement on the issue. Until then I suggest
that you show a bit more respect for the men, one still
living, who were the first to conquer Mt. Everest by ceasing
the speculation until conclusive evidence is found.
Thank you.
Steve Hawke Wellington, New Zealand
Comment:
It is with great wonder and anticipation that I check each
day for a report on the search. My kids have joined in the
excitement, and we now learn together about this great
expedition. Regardless of what you find, or whether you
unequivocally solve the mystery or not, I thank you for a
living, breathing lesson that has enriched my life and that
of my munchkins. Keep up the good work—what a
remarkable adventure you are on, and to think you let us
savor it with you.
(name witheld by request)
Comment:
I am completely obsessed with the subject of Mt. Everest.
After reading Into Thin Air last summer, I have
become completely consumed by the stories of those who have
climbed Everest and just the history of the mountain itself.
I love your Web site and I look forward to putting my kids
to sleep at night so that I can see the new dispatches from
the Mallory and Irvine expedition. Thank you for providing
us with such unbelievable history, information, and
photos.
Gretchen Pasadena, CA
Comment:
This is neat! There are probably tens of thousands of us who
never were able to become mountaineers but who read all the
books. Everest of course loomed over them all. The mystery
of Mallory and Irvine was always a haunting image that
seemed to brood over the mountain. Did they make it? It was
almost as if you expected to see them climbing over the step
only to disappear in a swirl of fog; ghostly, yet real, and
still up there somewhere. I'm almost sorry they found him.
Still, every mystery clamors to be solved. Once the Chinese
reported the first find it was inevitable that the matter
come to a conclusion. Since we've come this far, we might as
well see the thing through.
Ken Mattson Juneau, Alaska
Comment:
Hello. I stumbled upon this site a few days ago. I know
nothing about climbing and the closest I have come to it is
listening to my brother-in-law talk about his climb on the
Coca Cola route of Kilamanjaro. Personally I lean towards
the entire opposite of the spectrum (I am a scuba diver).
But, nevertheless, I am intrigued. I plan on following this
expedition via the Internet. I wish all involved good luck,
good climbing and God speed.
Michele Makohoniuk Ottawa, Ontario Canada
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