Looking at the terrain around 26,000ft to see what Odell would have seen and matching that up to snowfields along the North East Ridge shows that Odell saw them approaching and climbing the saddle of the Third Step.
Note: Messner actually climbed out of the Norton Couloir a little lower than I indicate in this video. You can see Messner's entire route: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAhAycFdONg
For an update video see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p40DpOI_CtM
From my 2013 Expedition.
https://malloryandirvine.com/