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Comments Set 9, posted May 25, 1999 previous set NOVA's goal is to further public understanding of the nature of science and exploration in a responsible and tasteful way. NOVA was not involved in selling the photos of George Leigh Mallory's body, and in the future we will continue to restrict the use of our photos to our Web site, our TV programs, and certain quality publications that are consistent with the PBS mission. Mallory Statement This statement is offered on behalf of many of the Mallory family. Along with many mountaineers and historians, we like to think Mallory and Irvine may have reached the summit, although this is of little, if any, consequence and has no bearing at all on our admiration for their adventurous spirit. Naturally, we would be interested to learn more of what might have happened to Mallory and Irvine shortly before their deaths. But we believe any new information relating to their last few hours should not affect the symbolism of their climb. This was seen as the striving of the human spirit against the seemingly impossible. We accepted in good faith that the climbers would deal respectfully with any remains and possessions they found. We understand that all the climbers hold the achievement of Mallory, Irvine and their colleagues in the highest esteem. At this stage not all relevant facts have emerged and we have not as yet spoken directly with the climbers who found the body. We are grateful for the burial service that we understand the climbers performed and for the generally respectful way in which they treated George Mallory's remains at his grave. The BBC informs us that any personal possessions will be returned to Mallory's children. The Expedition has sold photographs of Mallory's body to the media and these photos have been published in many newspapers. Because we trusted that The Expedition and its associates would deal sensitively with the issues, we made no prior arrangements with them. We are extremely disappointed with the sale of the photos because:
We accept that people make mistakes. We are hopeful that, as details emerge, opportunities to rectify the distasteful way in which the photos were sold will present themselves. George Mallory II Australia
My son Jeffrey S. Hall (no relation to Rob Hall who perished on the south face with a client) was invited to join the 1995 expedition as a team member. George Mallory's grandson, George Mallory II of Australia, was also invited and joined the expedition. The expedition leader was Dr. Paul Pfau of Los Angeles. The object was to follow the North col route pioneered by Mallory and Irvine. George Mallory II and Jeffrey Hall were chosen as the first team to attempt the summit. On May 14, 1995, George Mallory II summited at 5:30 am Sunday morning, 71 years after the disappearance of his grandfather, and his partner Jeff Hall from Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado followed at 5:50 am. They cut a hole and George buried a picture of his grandfather at the summit of Everest. A very moving moment for them both.
Howard Hall Greenwich, CT Photos courtesy Jeffrey Hall Comment: I don't know if you're aware or not, but there's a great song that was written about the Mallory expedition. It was written by Bill Mallonee and is the title track on the Vigilantes of Love cd, "To The Roof Of The Sky. " Response from NOVA: Bill Mallonee, of the Athens, Georgia band Vigilantes of Love, read George Mallory's story to his young son from an old book of adventure stories. He wrote 'To the Roof of the Sky' as a tribute to Mallory. Listen to a RealAudio excerpt from that work: Lost on Everest | High Exposure | Climb | History & Culture | Earth, Wind, & Ice E-mail | Previous Expeditions | Resources | Site Map | Everest Home Editor's Picks | Previous Sites | Join Us/E-mail | TV/Web Schedule About NOVA | Teachers | Site Map | Shop | Jobs | Search | To print PBS Online | NOVA Online | WGBH © | Updated November 2000 |
George Mallory II and Chhering Sherpa on top of the Third Step of Mount Everest.
Jeffrey Hall at Camp 6, returning from the summit.