spencer purvis

Spencer is a climber of 30-plus years who moved into full-time guiding in 2019. He started guiding in the Front Range but it was his move to Ouray, CO that inspired a complete career move into full-time guiding. Since then he’s operated out of Ouray guiding ice climbs in southwestern Colorado, including those of our world-class Ouray Ice Park. The other seasons include work across Washington, Colorado and the Alaska Range.

Denali is a far cry from the hot days of his youth. One would quickly recognize by Spencer’s accent that he grew up in the South, Mississippi specifically. And while the South will always feel like home, it’s the mountains of the Rocky Mountain West that captured his heart a long time ago.

Spence’s greatest love is his son, Ryder. He is a little firecracker and wears him out more than a 12-pitch Black Canyon route, but brings all the joys of parenthood that can be expected.

Sharing his passion with first-timers has proven to be as rewarding as the longer days on bigger objectives with more experienced climbers.