Eight years earlier Anker had climbed the Second Step as part of the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition but had used one point of aid by stepping on a rung of the ladder. At that time he had rated the climb at 5.10 and probably beyond Mallory; after the June 2007 climb he changed his view and said that "Mallory and Irvine could have climbed it".
In 1999, Anker had conquered the Second Step as part of the Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition but relied on a single aid by stepping on a ladder rung. He then rated the climb as 5.10 and possibly more challenging for Mallory; however, after his June 2007 expedition, he revised his assessment and claimed that "Mallory and Irvine could have accomplished it".