Location: The Purcells are located in southwestern British Columbia, west of the Rocky Mountains. They are one of the Interior Ranges of British Columbia.

KeyPasses: Beaver Pass 1370m (between Beaver and Duncan R), Canal Flats Pass 812m

Terrain: Composed mostly of sedimentary rocks, including argillites, sandstones and limestones. Of particular interest to mountaineers are the numerous granitic intrusions such as the Bugaboos and the St Mary Batholith. Non-granitic rocks in the Purcells are generally quite old - compression in Paleocene times thrusted the overlying rocks eastwards into Alberta, forming the Rocky Mountains. The Purcells are generally 500 m lower than the Rockies, but there are still over 50 peaks between 3300 and 3500 m.

History: The Purcells were named by James Hector for Dr. Goodwin Purcell (1817-1876), one of Hector's medical instructors. Purcell served on the selection committee for the Palliser Expedition, which traversed the area.

Brenta Spire

Access info exists for this area, but is only available to paid members. See Garibaldi Neve Area for a free example

Click for Peak Lister

Top Trips
65 Ascent of Truce Mountain and Cauldron Peter F. Green
61 Horsing Around up Granite Creek (Mount Findlay) Doug Brown (Nelson)
61 Various Routes on Mt. Farnham, from Farnham Creek Orvel Miskiw
54 A Short Walk up Mount Loki Sandra McGuinness
52 Jumbo Mountain on Skis Jeff Volp
51 Tagging Some 11,000ers: A Trip to the Commander Group Doug Brown (Nelson)
50 Twice Burnt on Mount Monica Sandra McGuinness
49 Mt Baldr from the St Mary's Valley Jeff Volp
48 Dog Days: Climbing Around the Catamount Glacier Sandra McGuinness
45 KMC 2005 Climbing Camp - The Vowells Doug Brown (Nelson)
More Trips

Top Photos

28Farnham From North Ridge of The Cleaver Doug Brown (Nelson)

25The Drying of the Purcells: Eyebrow, Birthday and the Starbird Glacier Sandra McGuinness

24Hall Peak and Leaning Towers from the East Doug Brown (Nelson)

24Mount Findlay Doug Brown (Nelson)

23Jumbo and Karnak Doug Brown (Nelson)

22Another One for the Tick List: Emperor Peak Sandra McGuinness

22Mounts Clutterbuck and Lees Doug Brown (Nelson)

21West End of Carbonate Range - Labelled Stephen Skog

21The Bugaboos and the Vowell Glacier Doug Brown (Nelson)

21Conrad from Bill's Pass Doug Brown (Nelson)

More Photos

Alpine Journal Articles

Guided Trips and Services
Boreas Backcountry Adventures Northern Purcells Trek (8 days)
Yamnuska Bugaboos Hot Rock (6 days)
Canadian Mountain Holidays Mountaineering in the Bugaboos (4 days)
M&W Guides Bugaboos Mountaineering Week (6 days)
Yamnuska Intro to Alpine Rock (6 days)
Alpine Club of Canada Trips In the Footsteps of Conrad Kain
Alpine Club of Canada Trips Bugaboos Ski Mountaineering Camp
Alpine Club of Canada Trips Bugaboos to Silent Pass Traverse
Alpine Club of Canada Trips Marmot Women's Summer Mountaineering Camp
Alpine Club of Canada Trips Jumbo Glacier Climbing Camp