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Table of Contents
About The Book
For readers of Cheryl Strayed and Anthony Doerr, a lyrical adventure memoir tracing one woman’s Seven Summits quest while caring for her mother through ALS—a story of endurance, love, and the cost of coming home changed.
“An incredible work of art.”—Alison Levine, New York Times best-selling author of On the Edge
When Nicole LoBiondo set out to climb the Seven Summits—the highest mountain on every continent—she never imagined that her hardest climb would be the one waiting at home.
As Nicole pushes through extreme expeditions—from Antarctica’s frozen plateau to the thin air of Everest—she returns home between climbs to care for her mother through a devastating illness. These parallel journeys reveal a story of grit, love, and the emotional cost of choosing strength when life demands everything at once. With clear-eyed honesty and vivid, cinematic detail, LoBiondo captures the reality of high-altitude mountaineering, the toll of long-term caregiving, and the universal struggle to survive what breaks us. Ultimately, she discovers that endurance is not just the ability to keep going up a mountain but also the courage to face loss, reshape identity, and rise again.
A gripping blend of adventure story and intimate family memoir, Where the Air Grows Thin is a powerful story of adventure, caregiving, ALS, and the journey of a daughter fighting to hold on to her mother while learning how to let go.
“An incredible work of art.”—Alison Levine, New York Times best-selling author of On the Edge
When Nicole LoBiondo set out to climb the Seven Summits—the highest mountain on every continent—she never imagined that her hardest climb would be the one waiting at home.
As Nicole pushes through extreme expeditions—from Antarctica’s frozen plateau to the thin air of Everest—she returns home between climbs to care for her mother through a devastating illness. These parallel journeys reveal a story of grit, love, and the emotional cost of choosing strength when life demands everything at once. With clear-eyed honesty and vivid, cinematic detail, LoBiondo captures the reality of high-altitude mountaineering, the toll of long-term caregiving, and the universal struggle to survive what breaks us. Ultimately, she discovers that endurance is not just the ability to keep going up a mountain but also the courage to face loss, reshape identity, and rise again.
A gripping blend of adventure story and intimate family memoir, Where the Air Grows Thin is a powerful story of adventure, caregiving, ALS, and the journey of a daughter fighting to hold on to her mother while learning how to let go.
Product Details
- Publisher: She Writes Press (October 13, 2026)
- Length: 288 pages
- ISBN13: 9798896361701
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Raves and Reviews
“A testament to endurance, discovery, and family, Where the Air Grows Thin will inspire readers to consider the importance of reaching for a dream and the power of love to help us conquer the challenges along the way.”—Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Shelterwood
“Nicole takes us on an intimate journey that feels both painful and beautiful at the same time. She reminds us that heartbreak can exist with gratitude, and that courage can always be found deep within us when we need it the most. Often the hardest summits aren’t the ones capped in snow—they’re the ones we climb within ourselves. An incredible work of art.”—Alison Levine, New York Times best-selling author of On the Edge
“Where the Air Grows Thin is a reminder of the power of love and the importance of finding meaning in life’s challenges.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
“This talented writer has a wild streak, and so does her unforgettable book. Nicole LoBiondo went to the mountains for solace. She found beauty, terror, and love. Her story reads like a tale told to a trusted friend in a windblown tent, high on a bleak Himalayan ridge.”—Clint Willis, author of The Boys of Everest
“As a fellow survivor of the 2015 Everest earthquake and avalanche, I found Nicole’s account deeply moving and personal. Through vivid detail and a compelling writing style, Nicole brings the mountain to life on the page. If you’ve ever wanted to understand what climbing the world’s highest peaks is truly like, this is a powerful and unforgettable read.”—Mike Hamill, owner and head guide of Climbing the Seven Summits
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