The first confirmed summit of Mount Everest was by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953. Hillary took photographs, and he left behind a crucifix. Tenzing, a Buddhist, made a food offering. After spending about 15 minutes on the peak, they began their descent.
Some have wondered if George Mallory and Andrew Irvine summited during their ill-fated expedition in June 1924. The two men were spotted several hundred meters from the top but were then lost from view due to clouds. Mallory and Irvine were never seen again. In 1999 Mallory’s body was found at 26,760 feet (8,155 meters), and it was determined that he had died after a bad fall. A camera carried by Irvine has never been found. Whether or not they reached the summit is unknown. Both Hillary and Tenzing searched the top of Everest but found nothing to indicate the two men had been there.