“Because it’s there.” Those became the most famous and forever echoing words in the mountaineering universe. That was George Mallory’s response upon being asked why did he want to climb Mount Everest. What a kickass reply! What a rockstar dude! Mallory’s mortal remains were discovered seventy-five years—in May 1999—after he passed away in June of 1924. He was last seen only about 245 metres shy of the summit before the inevitable reality consumed him. That tells a lot about the savagery and unpredictability of the tallest mountain in the world.
