Purcell Mountians  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Page Views:  264,131. Good page?    Administrators:  Kristine Hoffman, Peter Spindloe, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Ken Trout on Dec 13, 2010 Make this area a Favorite What's New Guidebooks (2)  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Blue outline- Purcell Mtns.

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INTRODUCTION

The Purcell Mountains are most eastern of the Interior Ranges, separated from the Canadian Rockies by the Colombia River Trench (and river). On their east side, the Purcells are bounded by another trench, seen on the road atlas by looking for the Duncan and Beaver rivers. Mount Farnham (3,493m/11,343') is the highest point, east of Invermere, BC.

The Bugaboos are the most popular. Good trails, tecnical summits, and big granite walls. Other sub-ranges, or groups, of the Purcells are The Four Squatters, Farnham Group, Commander Group, Findlay Group (granite), and Leaning Towers (granite).

COLUMBIA TRENCH SPORT CRAGS

The valley containing the official headwaters of the Columbia River is mostly filled with unclimbable glacial till. But a few pieces of bedrock have been found and developed.

Lakit Lake is supposed to have some good lowland sport climbing near Cranbrook, BC.

A bit south of Cranbrook, some good sport climbing has been developed at Moyie Canyon

Up north of Spillamacheen there is supposed to be some low land cragging too.

The Classics

Featured Route For Purcell Mountians

North East Ridge 5.7  International : Canada : ... : Bugaboo Spire

A classic moderate alpine rock route of the highest caliber. Excellent rock on one of North America's great peaks.The route begins at the Crescent/Bugaboo Col, to reach this cross the Crescent Glacier, then climb Class 4 rock (pretty scary in the dark) to the Col. Make an alpine start.The route starts on the left of a small pinnacle, and for the first three pitches keeps left of the crest of the ridge proper (5.7 maximum). The rest of the route follows the crest, up fun cracks, and then chimneys...[more]   Browse More Classics in International