The former Sunday Times journalist is now writing a book about Mallory and recently visited the village as part of his research.

Last week he spoke to Knutsford Guardian reporter Andrew Moores about the characters made famous by the Mallory mystery and the legendary climber

himself

PETER Gillman must see a little of himself as he delves into the past of George Mallory.

They share a passion for mountain climbing and a flair for writing.

And now Peter is looking into his hero's life to find out more about the man made famous by his attempts to climb Mount Everest.

"Mallory wasn't just a mountaineer, he was a writer, a teacher, a husband and a father as well," said Peter.

"I was interested in his character because it was so complex."

Peter has been writing about mountaineering for 30 years and conquered his first peak in his early 20s.

Now 57, he prefers the Scottish Highlands to the Himalayan peaks explored by Mallory.

He's had several books published and has visited the majestic height of Mount Everest.

But one man has captured his imagination like no other and he has spent this year trying to find out what kind of a man George Mallory was.

"He was not as practical as his colleagues, but he was romantic, adventurous, a dreamer and a great writer," said Peter.

"He was also devoted to his wife and although he was realistic about his chances on Everest it was obvious he didn't want to upset her in his letters."

Despite all of Mallory's determination and experience he died on Mount Everest in 1924. To this day it is not known whether he reached the summit.

His frozen, perfectly-preserved body was found only this year by an American team.

His legs were broken from a fall, but still in his pocket was a letter from his wife Ruth.

The final fate of Mallory's climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, remains a mystery.

The last man to see the two alive before they vanished in the mist was Noel Odell.

He lived to tell the tale time and time again.

"He was surprised I was interested in hearing the story and said he couldn't understand why people spent so long chasing after ghosts," said Peter.

The former Sunday Times journalist also met Captain Noel who had photographed Mallory on earlier expeditions.

The captain had even set up a dark room on the mountain to develop his pictures.

"One of the nice things about this job is you get to meet your heroes and talk to legendary figures," he said.

Experts predicted a tough time for Mallory and Irvine as they battled against all the odds to be the first men to conquer the world's highest peak.

Mallory, too, made a grim prediction before he set off.

In the Knutsford Guardian published days before his death, he wrote: "The third time we walk up East Rongbuck Glacier will be the last - for better or worse.

"We expect no mercy from Everest."

That, said Peter, was testament to the Mobberley man's courage.

"He was very determined, but would have been exhausted," he said.

In May photographs of Mallory's body - beamed all over the world - were selling for £3,000.

Peter visited Mallory's son soon after the pictures were flashed across the world via the Internet.

"He was very affected by the discovery of the body and was upset when the pictures were shown over the world," he said.

"But he was very good humoured and charming and it would be nice to think that was his dad coming through in him.

"George Mallory had a strong effect on the people around him because he was charismatic and he had a wide circle of friends."

Peter soon hopes to meet the explorer's daughter Clare, now 83 and living in America.

Before that he will visit Snowdon and some of the other climbing haunts of the former Army officer.

"You never know what you are going to find and as a journalist you should always go and see for yourself," he said.

His research will continue for another month and then work will begin on The Wildest Dream.

Meanwhile, the team, who discovered Mallory's body, may return to Everest next year in a last attempt to solve the mystery.

They are still looking for Mallory's camera which experts believe could have been preserved in the cold.

But Peter doubts it will prove if Mallory was first to the top.

"I think he probably didn't make it, but it's nice to think there is a possibility," he said.

Peter is desperate to find any information about why the Mallory family left Mobberley so suddenly in 1904. If anyone knows please call The Knutsford Guardian on 01565 751114.

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