Kit DesLauriers - Higher Love: Skiing the Seven Summits

Praise for

When I first met Kit, I thought to myself, Wow, theres 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 sightsbut 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 Ive ever seen and a highlight of my career.

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

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

Dick Bass, owner of Snowbird Ski Resort,
co-author of Seven Summits

Id been on the summit of Everest four times; I knew that it would be an extreme challenge for Kit to ski it. I had confidence in her abilities and her determination, but there are always unknowns above 8,000 meters. Ours was an autumn expedition to Everest; we were on our own, with no support from other teams. After five weeks of watching Kit and her team prevail as skilled climbers at high altitude, the day finally came to ski the Lhotse Face. When I got the call that she, Rob and Jimmy were safely across the bergschrund, I cried with relief and joy. This book is a whirlwind tour of seven intense climbs and skis and the inner workings of Kits mind and heart. Im proud that Berg Adventures could support her achievement by organizing two of her summit expeditions.

Wally Berg, owner of Berg Adventures International

I was president of The North Face when Kit submitted her proposal for skiing Everest. From the first day we discussed Kits vision to climb and ski each of the Seven Summits, I was caught by her passion and commitment to achieve a milestone of such significance. This book is an exhilarating story of dreaming big, staying focused and pushing the limits of exploration.

Steve Rendle, Senior Vice President, Americas,
VF Corporation

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 worldsclimbing and skiing.

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

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 cant be done. Thats 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

Whether youre a climber, a skier or both, you will enjoy every expedition in this book. In addition to taking you up and down the Seven Summits, Kit takes you to more obscure places like Mount Belukha, the highest peak in Siberia. If you admire the mountains and people who achieve big goals in them, you'll love this book.

Phil Powers, Executive Director, The American Alpine Club

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 didnt 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 29,028 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

An Archer Publication

Copyright 2015 by Kit DesLauriers

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below:

Archer, 601 West 26th Street, Suite 325, New York, NY 10001
archerlit.com

Distributed in the US by Publishers Group West
Set in Minion

Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication data

ePub ISBN: 978-1-941729-04-5

DesLauriers, Kit.
Higher love : skiing the seven summits / by Kit DesLauriers.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-941729-01-4

1. DesLauriers, Kit. 2. MountaineeringPersonal narratives. 3. SkiingPersonal narratives. 4. MountaineersUnited StatesBiography. 5. Mountains. 6. Continents. I. Title.