Who Is Andrew Irvine (mountaineer)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on April 8, 1902, Andrew Irvine was a notable British mountaineer whose passion for high-altitude climbing led him into the annals of adventure sports history. His life, however, was tragically cut short in 1924 during his attempt to summit K2. Despite his brief life of just 22 years, Irvine's spirit and ambition continue to inspire future generations of climbers and adventurers.
| Occupation | Mountain Climber |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 8, 1902 |
| Age | 22 Years |
| Birth Place | Birkenhead, Cheshire, England |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 8 June, 1924 |
| Died Place | North Face, Mount Everest, Tibet |
Popularity
Andrew Irvine (mountaineer)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific physical measurements for Andrew Irvine are challenging to confirm—given the era he lived in—he was noted for his athletic build, which contributed to his prowess as a mountaineer. At the time of his last expedition, it is believed he stood around 5 feet 8 inches tall and maintained a weight of approximately 150 pounds, reflecting a strong and fit physique essential for high-altitude climbs.
On 1 May 1999, Mallory's body was found at 8156 m by the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition, in a funnel-shaped basin on the "8,200 m Snow Terrace," some 300 m below and about 100 m horizontal to the location of the ice axe found in 1933.
The remains of a rope still encircled his waist, which exhibited serious haemorrhaging, indicative of a strong rope-jerk injury, and strongly suggesting that at some point either Mallory or Irvine fell while they were still roped together.
Mallory was found with relatively few major injuries, compared to a number of modern climbers who had fallen the full distance from the Northeast Ridge and who were found to have sustained numerous fractures, suggesting he had survived this initial fall, and suffered a further accident.
A golf ball-sized puncture wound in his forehead seemed to be the likely cause of death, and could have been inflicted by an ice axe.
It has subsequently been speculated that an injured Mallory was descending in a self-arrest "glissade," sliding down the slope while dragging his ice axe in the snow to control the speed of his descent, and that his ice axe may have struck a rock and bounced off, striking him fatally.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As a young man deeply committed to his climbing pursuits, Andrew Irvine's personal life remained largely private. Historians and biographers often reference limited information regarding his family and romantic relationships. However, it is known that he came from a well-off family, with a father who was an academic and a mother involved in charitable works. Details about a girlfriend or any romantic entanglements during his lifetime are sparse, and it seems that his focus was primarily on his climbing career.
His father's family had Scottish and Welsh roots, while his mother was from an old Cheshire family. He was a cousin of journalist and writer Lyn Irvine, and also of pioneering female surgeon Eleanor Davies Colley and of political activist Harriet Shaw Weaver.
Net Worth and Salary
While Andrew Irvine's financial situation during his lifetime isn't well-documented, it is clear that he came from a privileged background. His explorations and climbing expeditions were supported by family wealth and sponsorships, although exact figures regarding his net worth and salary would be speculative. Due to his early death, Irvine did not accumulate wealth in a traditional sense, but his legacy has become invaluable, particularly in the world of mountaineering.
Career, Business and Investments
Irvine's career as a mountaineer began in his teenage years, quickly elevating to prominence with notable climbs in the Alps. His collaboration with renowned climber George Mallory on the 1924 expedition to K2 is among the most famous portions of his short career. The aim of this ambitious journey was to reach the summit of K2, which ultimately led to both men's disappearance. In the years following their disappearance, Irvine has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and discussions within the mountaineering community, solidifying his status as an icon of adventure and courage.
Social Network
In 2025, Andrew Irvine, unfortunately, does not maintain a social network in the modern sense, as he lived in the early 20th century where such platforms did not exist. However, his story continues to resonate through various social media channels and online forums dedicated to mountaineering and adventure sports. Present-day advocates honor his memory and share insights on his life and expeditions across different social platforms, ensuring that his legacy lives on in the hearts of adventure enthusiasts.
Education
Irvine attended prestigious institutions, including the prestigious Charterhouse School and later furthered his studies at Merton College, Oxford. He pursued natural sciences, which greatly contributed to his understanding of the physical and environmental challenges encountered in mountaineering. His educational background not only groomed him intellectually but also instilled in him a scientific appreciation for the mountains he so dearly loved to conquer.
He was educated at Birkenhead School and Shrewsbury School, where he demonstrated a natural engineering acumen, able to improvise fixes or improvements to almost anything mechanical.
During the First World War, he created a small stir at the War Office by sending them a design for a synchronisation gear to allow a machine gun to fire from a propeller-driven aeroplane through the propeller without damaging its blades, and also a design for a gyroscopic stabiliser for aircraft.
