Story is as slow as the girls hiking

I feel like the story is moving as slowly as the girls are hiking. It took so long for there to be any signs of danger or misgivings, which was what I was expecting based on the cover of the book and the blurb. I also found myself skimming through all the backstory and losing interest when it went on for pages. I would have liked more action or suspense to keep me interested in the beginning.