On the Nose

By: Hans Florine, Jayme Moye

Narrated by: Hans Florine

Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Hans Florine is a big-wall climbing legend in his own time. He holds the speed record on the Nose route of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot granite cliff in Yosemite Valley that's considered the Everest of the rock-climbing world. Ascending the Nose takes most climbers anywhere from 12 to 96 hours. Florine, along with climbing partner Alex Honnold, does it in an astounding two and a half hours.

But Florine's story is not one of super-human athletic prowess; it's one of persistence and dogged determination. In 30 years of climbing, he's ascended the Nose a mind-blowing, death-defying 100 times, more than anyone else ever has, and most likely ever will. In On the Nose, Florine describes the most dangerous, pivotal, and inspirational of those climbs, providing a rare look inside the adrenaline-charged world of competitive climbing in Yosemite Valley. He tells of his very first attempt on the Nose, which ended in failure after 14 hours, his friendships (and rivalries) with climbing's most colorful personalities, and his battle with Dean Potter to secure the definitive speed record on the Nose - an endeavor that's been called the wildest competition known to man.

Perhaps most interestingly, Florine attempts to answer the question why. Why would anyone undertake one of the greatest adventure epics on earth 100 times? His answers provide unique insights on how to live a satisfying life, how to achieve big goals, and how an otherwise ordinary guy can become a rock star.

©2017 Hans Florine (P)2017 Made for Success Publishing

Techno music?

Who adds techno music on a audio book? And background noise? Can’t be hear sometimes. This is a bad idea. Who even thought that was a good idea? Who released this audio book. Poor author.

3 people found this helpful

Great Book by a Cali Climbing Legend

I though this was a wonderful book. My wife and I met Hans at a Joshua Tree Climb Smart event and let me tell you he's a good dude! This book covers his climbing journey well, it's quite interesting to hear about all the climbers Hans has brushed elbows with. Also this audiobook has a bit of a "soundtrack". At first I didn't like it but I quickly saw the value in how it added to the book overall. I believe it made the book more engaging and hearing clips of some of the old commentary from past comps and things of that nature was interesting. I highly recommend this read for climbers and non climbers alike.

1 person found this helpful

didn't' care for the sound effects

The writing is strong enough to carry the story without the sound effects. I hope that this isn't the direction audio books are moving.

I enjoyed the book though.

great listen for any climber

great and fun listen for any climber. fun perspective from a legendary yosemite climber

Triumphant, Inspiring and classic

I am absolutely certain this couldnt have been done in better style. even the cheesy background music became entertaining and I could visualize everything hans described. I am more motivated then ever to get after my climbing and hit that next grade!

Great story

A great story of commitment to the possible !!
Some lovely and honest self reflection that is both entertaining and educative

Great climbs and story, terrible audio production

Hans Florine is one of the titans of Yosemite climbing. Being great on the rock doesn't mean to be great as a storyteller and Hans Florine had the good sense to get expert help (from Jayme Moye). Maybe the "Hollywood Hans" moniker drove him to do the audio narration of the book himself. Bad idea, what with the silly laughs all the time. The sound effects are beyond silly, they are a pure distraction from what is a great story well told in the print edition. Pity really.

Outstanding account of the history and inspiration for climbers. Hans Florine is amazing, as an author, athlete.

I found this book one of the best among 1st person athletic accounts. He is refreshingly humble and still one of the greatest leaders in climbing. Thoroughly enjoyed this!

Inspiring! More than just a climbing story.

Mr. Florine narrated his story well, I couldn't stop listening from the beginning 'til end. More than just about climbing, this is an inspiring, well-written audiobook about living one's life passionately, and the ability in finding strength, perseverance, camaraderie and kindness in the everyday life.

Fascinating

Packed full of detail regarding Florine’s conquest of El Cap.

It was a great insight into big wall climbing. I enjoyed hearing the author narrate the book. It’s great to see how one can pursue ones passion whilst not being thrust into the edges of society. Florine is inspirational to all us weekend warriors.


The music in the early parts of the book were just a bit cheesy and took me out of the story.

All in all I great book tho !

Very goofy sound effects and music

Unlike other books I’ve listened to from Audible, this one has lots of music and sound effects throughout, which I found distracting and in places just plain weird.

Very interesting, definitely worth a listen.

Very good book, well read and would defiantly recommend, if you liked this get The Push by Tommy Caldwell both 2 amazing climbing legends :)