Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Dances with Marmots (From Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail

Author: George Spearing

Publisher: Lulu.com

George Spearing, born and educated in the UK, went to sea at the age of sixteen and eventually migrated to New Zealand. He joined the New Zealand Fire Service where he worked in the Auckland Brigade for twenty seven years.  Now retired, George lives in Oamaru, South Island, NZ. He continues his adventures, hiking the length of New Zealand’s North Island and has recently walked the length of Great Britain.

Fancy packing up and hiking on a five month solo journey from Mexico to Canada?  This is exactly what George Spearing did and what a wonderful tale he has to tell!

As soon as I began this book I was simply hooked. From the first page to the last, this is a totally enjoyable hiking memoir packed with humour and much inspiration.

We follow George on his journey and experience all the highs and lows along the way. From a bear wandering around his tent at four in the morning (“If there are any adrenalin freaks reading this, then this is what you’ve got to do - try lying on the ground about 2m away from a 250kg bear that is roaring its bloody head off - trust me, you will not get a bigger buzz!) to his encounter with a deer, this is certainly a light-hearted but entrancing read which made me laugh so many times.

We also learn of his encounters with other hikers along the trail (Ziggy, The Gimp, Mountain Goat Vern) and read about a few mishaps too (“This was definitely uncool, and I was glad that only the Sierras and myself were witness to my close-up inspection of their snowy surface”.)

I literally found it impossible not to laugh from the first chapter to the last. George writes about his time on the Pacific Crest Trail in an easy-to-read style with humour in almost every sentence. I have never read a more funny, gripping trail book as this. Even if you don’t intend to walk the PCT, this book is still fun and totally absorbing.

The only part that did disappoint me a little was the fact there were simply not enough photographs included. It would have been better to see a little more of what George saw during his time hiking but having said this, I was impressed with photos of the hot Mojave desert, the snowy Sierra mountains and of course the absolutely cute snap of a Marmot awaiting his lunch.

Though George did suffer some pretty hairy moments with bears he lives to tell the tale of traversing 40 Wilderness areas, 24 National Forests, 7 National Parks, 3 State Parks, 19 major canyons and climbing 57 mountain passes.

Also included at the back of this brilliant book is a list of equipment George carried ranging from his one man tent, crampons (oh the misfortune those caused!) Swiss Army Knife and his trusty Snake Bite Kit amongst many, many more tackle that came in very useful during his hike.

A wonderful, hilarious book to treasure. One of the best of its kind.

Click Here To Purchase From Amazon Dances with Marmots (From Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail

The above review was contributed by: Jessica Roberts:  Jessica is a book reviewer for a local newspaper and has reviewed for a national women's magazine too. She has had various articles published in magazines and has now completed her novel. Jessica currently lives in West Yorkshire and enjoys walking in the dales and woodlands as part of her hobby as well as, of course, reviewing books. To read more of Jessica's reviews  CLICK HERE 

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