Dances With Marmots - A Pacific Crest Trail Adventure by Spearing, George (2005) Paperback

Spearing seems modest and reserved. His story seems more real and believable than the recent book, "Wild." After reading Dances with Marmots, I question much of what I read in Strayed's book. That books seemed too much about self-promotion and dramatic effect. It is hard to take her seriously. I enjoyed reading Spearing's take on Americans. His observations rang true. He is not a social butterfly, as evidenced by his great desire for solitude, yet he honed in on telling aspects of our U.S. culture. His story is most interesting in what is unsaid. For example, there were a couple of women in the book that he described in a more gentlemanly manner than another person might. Reading between the lines, it appeared that they hit on him. If these encounters turned romantic, he was too chivalrous to mention it. Other odd things he did not state were the dates of his journey and his age. He was vague. Why? He indicated this journey was prior to hostilities in Iraq - but which Iraq war? He never mentioned his specific age. He said he was closer to 50 than 40. This was buried in the book toward the end. Not sure why he would withhold these facts, which would give more background to his story and better understanding to the reader. He noted other hikers ages throughout the book. This is relevant to assess the physical demands of the trek. As others have stated, there are lots of typos in this book. It could greatly have benefited from an editor. For example, at one point the Appalachian trail is spelled Appellation! The Kiwi terminology and expressions were charming.

Funny title along with his sense of humor all along his 5 month trek from Mex border to Canada. He meets up with some interesting folks and has a couple of totally amazing coincidences , adventures, plus gets lost (a lot), adding to hismileage! Loved this book!

"Dances With Marmots" is essentially a diary of a New Zealander's hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, starting in Campo CA (on the Mexican border) and ending when he reached Canada.The nice thing about this book is even if you are not a hiker, the author being a New Zealander adds facets of interest to the book because he is new to hiking and new to the United States. His comments about Americans and their land are very amusing.I initially caught sight of this book online, where the first two chapters were published, and they mentioned Warner Springs, CA. I live near there, and had to laugh out loud at an incident he told of an encounter with a local at a little country bar, the Log Cabin. I bought the book at Amazon.Spearling's humor carried through in the book, I enjoyed it and passed it on to family members who enjoy hiking and a good story too.

Good read, and I really liked his style. Some of his middle anecdotes left me laughing out loud. Really, the only "complaint" I had was Oregon and Washington became a blurr in my mind, and sounds like it may have been his as well. Afterall, this is really a long strenuous hike and its hard to fault a man in that regard. But I liked the book, glad I bought it. Now I'm curious to see whether he'll tackle other long distance trails, either in the states or elsewhere, as I'd love to travel along with him again.

I have read a multitude of books on the PCT. I really enjoyed most of them I am too old and out of shape to go myself. I really wish I had thought of it when I was younger and could have done it. This book is just wonderful. It is the best of all the books I have read about the PCT. The author is very humorous and writes in an easy style. Person who complained about cosmetic grammar errors should pay more attention to content. I laughed throughout the entire book while learning the details of the incredibly difficult trail. He went straight through even the snowy Sierra through the ice and snow. He went from Mexico to Canada in one straight push. I highly recommend this book

George is from New Zealand and leaves his job as a firefighter, temporarily, to hike the PCT. He hikes the trail and faces the normal adversities of weather, resupply, physical exhaustion and scary experiences. However he does so with a wonderful sense of humor and great optimism. He is curious about the American culture and the history of each area he hikes through. He passes on the bits of history he learns about some of the notable spots along the PCT. He made the most of his American hiking experience and he is the type of visitor you would hope to see again. He seems a humorous man, yet gentle and mannerly while at the same time being rough and rugged as needed.I recommend this book, his point of view will make you smile.

Great book! I can't wait to do this hike when I retire from the Marine Corps! Very informative and inspiring. There is much that can be learned and used from this book. I enjoyed every page..

This is my second purchase of "Dances with Marmots." The first time I got it off the author's website via Lulu.com. Somehow I lost that first e-copy through computer external hard drive problems. It is worth buying a second time. I have corresponded by email with George and his Kiwi humor comes through just as it does in this book. George brings a New Zealand viewpoint to the hiking of the Pacific Crest Trail and there are many of his observations at which I laughed until I cried. A recommended read.

Amazing journey and some incredible adventures. Reminded me very much of my own adventures backpacking several years ago and has inspired me to get the backpack out again and plan more trips :-)

A wonderful description of his personal experiences with lots of humour . There are not many people out there who can laugh about themselves. Congratulations! Marmots go on :-)

A great read and such an inspiration to read. This amazing man walked all the way along the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican border to the Canadian. He writes clearly and there are lots of amusing incidents. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A hiking book with humour! Being Australian it is so much easier comprehending the humour of a fellow "down underer" I found this book to be quite a pleasure to read with laugh out loud moments while still being a comprehensive hiking story. The only down side I find work a lot of these "telling my hiking story" books is that the last 1/3 of the trail tends to take up only the last 10% of the book...almost like the author gets bored and just wants to finish the book.All on all it is worthy of 4.5 stars so I rounded it up to 5.

A wonderful book about long distance Thu hiking . What makes this different is the humor and the a not totally self absorbed hiker. His kiwi expressions made me laugh aloud. Good on you mate from a Canadian fan.