Freja Mallory has dedicated her life to unravelling the intriguing mystery surrounding the death of her great-grandfather, the esteemed mountaineer George Mallory 100 years after his disappearance. George Mallory came agonizingly close to being the first person to conquer Mount Everest, and now, a century later, his great-granddaughter is determined to achieve what her pioneer relative could not. Disappearing just shy of reaching the summit of Mount Everest a hundred years ago, some speculate that he may have been the first to conquer the world’s highest peak.
It wasn’t until 75 years later that Mallory’s frozen body was discovered, merely 800m from the top. Now, Freja is planning to retrace his fateful steps as the centenary of his mysterious death approaches. An aspiring mountaineer herself, the 26-year-old from Totnes, Devon is seeking crowdfunding for the expedition to Kathmandu, Nepal, starting on May 30 and arriving at the mountain’s base on June 7. Freja’s ambition is deeply rooted in her familial connection to her great-grandfather George Mallory, who was renowned for his adventurous spirit. She recalls growing up hearing stories of his daring escapades and feels that his explorer’s soul lives on within her. With a minimalist approach to life, Freja values freedom above material possessions, finding solace and tranquillity in simplicity.
As Mallory embarked on his treacherous journey to Everest in 1924 alongside his partner Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, many believed that reaching the 29,000ft summit was the ultimate challenge in earthly exploration. The pair was last seen alive on June 8, 1924, as they progressed towards Camp VI for their final push to the top. Despite their valiant efforts, they never returned from their expedition, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in mystery. It wasn’t until 1999 that Mallory’s body was discovered, still clad in climbing gear, with visible injuries suggesting a fatal fall. The whereabouts of Irvine, his young companion, remain unknown.
Freja’s quest is supported by her mother, Beridge Mallory, who is the daughter of John Mallory, the youngest child of the famed mountaineer. Despite facing personal health challenges, including a preventative double mastectomy, Freja remains resolute in her determination to honour her great-grandfather’s memory at Everest’s Base Camp by laying flowers in remembrance. Riverford Organic Farmers, her employer, has granted her a six-month sabbatical to pursue her expedition and is actively involved in fundraising efforts. Freja hopes to connect with the global climbing community during her journey, drawing inspiration from her ancestor’s indomitable spirit of adventure. Donations to support Freja’s mission can be made by clicking here.
Help me to Everest base camp for my Great Grandad
Her GoFundMe donation page reads, “Hello, my name is Freja. I grew up hearing stories of my great grandfather (George Mallory) and his daring attempt to try and be the first person to summit Everest, I’ve always found a pull towards adventure and travel and hope to walk a bit in his footsteps exploring and traveling places off the beaten path. This year will be the 100-year anniversary of his and his climbing partner (Sandy Irvine) summit attempt and ultimately, death, trying to be the first people to summit Everest. The last few years have been tough, between the pandemic, family members falling ill, and two surgeries (I found out I was BRCA1 positive at 23 and had a double mastectomy at 25) I’ve not been able to travel or adventure much, which is what I’m truly passionate about.”
Climber’s grandson conquers Everest
On May 18, 1995, the grandson of a man who tragically died on Mount Everest 71 years prior achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the summit, according to reports. George Mallory, the grandson of the renowned English mountain climber who shares his name, was part of a group that successfully reached the top of Everest on Sunday and Tuesday. Omer Rains from Rains & Associates in Los Angeles shared the information. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Mallory joined climbers from various states such as Alaska, California, Colorado, Missouri, New York, Washington, and Wisconsin for this challenging ascent. The elder Mallory went missing during his Everest climb in 1924, after his initial attempt three years earlier. When questioned about his motivation for conquering Everest, he famously responded, ‘Because it is there.’ His fate remains uncertain, with speculations ranging from perishing during the ascent to possibly reaching the summit before meeting a tragic end during the descent. The younger Mallory was part of an expedition led by Paul Pfau from Los Angeles, following the route taken by his grandfather. The teams, led by Pfau and Colin Lynch from Mill Valley, Calif., successfully guided 13 members to the top of Everest, navigating the challenging North Col from the Tibetan side of the mountain.
Comments