"On 8 June 1924, Mallory with the inexperienced Irvine as a partner, set out form Camp VI to climb the las 600 m to the summit. They were seen by Odell through a break in the cloud, at the first step of the NE Ridge (others say between the first and second of the two steep rocky steps that interrupt the ridge). What happened after that remains a mystery: they did not return and no trace was found of them. In 1933 an ice axe belonging to one of them (probably Irvine because of the marks made on it) was found at about 8.400 m (8.450 m say others) and is presumed that an accident ocurred at this spot and the two climbers fell to their deaths".
"Inexplicably, Mallory chose Irvine instead of the experienced Odell as his partner for the summit assault". Irvine's "mountaneering qualifications were negligible". "Mallory's actual total of new clibs in Britain and the Alps was small, an none are of great importance". "In 1999 an American expedition (led by Eric Simonson) finds the body of George Leigh Mallory not far from the N (NE) ridge".
The true is that 2nd step of rock 30 meters-high, situated at 8.600 m, is very difficult even with crampons and modern methods. Actually there is a ladder installed in 1975. I´ve not read any of the books published about this subject in the last years yet. But this uncertainty makes me doubt. What do you think summitposters?