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PRAISE FOR HIGHER LOVE

“When I first met Kit, I thought, ‘Wow, there’s a lot of hype around this two-time world freeskiing champion.’ My first ski run with Kit was Central Couloir off Cody Peak, an extremely exposed ‘no fall zone’ line with a mandatory air at the bottom. On my second outing with her, we skied the Grand Teton. Needless to say, I found out she was the real deal. More than the real deal. She was awesome, in the true sense of the word, a machine in the mountains, intense, calculated, confident but still always had an easy smile to share.

“I quickly realized that Kit could achieve anything she ever set her mind to. It just so happened that climbing the Seven Summits was in her sights . . . but why just climb? Why not ski them all, too? Watching (and shooting) Kit ski off the summit of Everest is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and a highlight of my career.”

—Jimmy Chin, professional climber, mountaineer, skier, director, and photographer

“Climbing to high places is about so much more than reaching the top. In Higher Love, Kit gives you an intimate perspective of the extreme joys and intense challenges that are part of every high-stakes expedition. When you want to do something that no one has ever done before, you have to focus on finding the solution instead of reasons for why it can’t be done. That’s exactly what Kit DesLauriers demonstrates throughout her adventures on every mountain. This true story will make you laugh, cry, and marvel at what people are capable of achieving.”

—Lynn Hill, first person to free-climb the nose of El Capitan and author of Climbing Free: My Life in the Vertical World

“When I spent twenty minutes on the summit of Mount Everest in 1963, my first worry was: ‘how to get down?’ It never occurred to me that someone could ski it. Kit asked the question, ‘Can it be skied?’ and answered by doing it herself. Higher Love is about the love of life and the best of both worlds—climbing and skiing.”

—Jim Whittaker, first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest (1963) and author of A Life on the Edge

“When I met Kit, I knew she had what it takes to succeed at whatever she set out to accomplish. I’m honored that my Seven Summits experience prompted her to discover whether she could ski those summits. And I’m thrilled that the answer was ‘Yes!’ This book not only recounts Kit’s challenging climbs and ski descents, it also shares the inspirational philosophy she lives and skis by.”

—Dick Bass, owner of Snowbird Ski Resort, coauthor of Seven Summits

“For most Seven Summiters, the simple, tangible goal is to stand atop the highest point on each continent (and to return intact). For Kit DesLauriers, the top is where the unique challenge begins: to slide back down on a pair of skis. And she was the first person to do it! Higher Love is a gripping and reflective account of this odyssey, told by a gutsy, multitalented ski-mountaineering mom. Set your edges and savor the ride.”

—Tom Hornbein, author of Everest: The West Ridge

“When Kit said she wanted to ski off the top of Everest, I didn’t think her chance for success was very high, but I changed my mind while watching her surmount every challenge on the expedition. I was amazed at her courage, even enthusiasm, when she put skis on at the summit. I had mixed emotions belaying her around the Hillary Step: awe that she was doing it and concern that something could go dreadfully wrong. At 29,032 feet (5.5 miles above sea level), one small mistake can quickly lead to disaster. In this book, Kit tells the dramatic and sometimes funny stories of the climbs and ski descents that led her to become the first person to ski the Seven Summits.”

—Dave Hahn, professional mountain guide, member of Taos Ski Patrol, summited Everest fifteen times

“Higher Love is a gripping, page-turning, real-life adventure. Kit is the heroine of her story as she follows her higher calling with passion, focus, and determination. Her experience is an invitation to us all to pursue our dreams and to follow our spirits without hesitation.”

—Carol Mann, personal transformation coach and author of Why Wait: Wisdom for Life from Those Who Have Passed Over

“Our adventure on Aconcagua was a highlight of my climbing and mountaineering career. I will always carry the memories of running down the ridge and catching up with Kit while watching history being made. The moment she took herself off rappel and proceeded to ski on the steep section was truly inspiring; still today I have the vivid memories of each of the turns [she] made!”

—Damian Benegas, professional climber, film specialist, guide for Benegas Brothers Expeditions