Spencer Purvis

I am a climber of 30-plus years who moved into full-time guiding three years ago. In my previous adult life I was a carpenter and home builder. After my move to Colorado in 2005, my climbing diversified to include ice climbing and alpine objectives. I started guiding Front Range rock climbs almost six years ago, but it was my move to Ouray, CO that inspired a complete career move into full-time guiding. Since then I have operated out of Ouray guiding ice climbs of southwest Colorado, including those of our world-class Ouray Ice Park. The other seasons include work across Colorado guiding technical rock climbs, alpine objectives, and the more difficult 14er routes.

Spring of 2022 was my first trip to work as a guide on Denali and I returned in June of 2023 for round two. Working in the Alaska Range is a far cry from the hot days of my youth. One would quickly recognize by my accent that I 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 my heart a long time ago. Climbing has been my vehicle for travel for more than 20 years, and while I have climbed in Canada and Mexico, the majority has been in this region I call home.

My newest and greatest love is my son, Ryder, who will be 2 years old in 2023. He is a little firecracker and wears me out more than a 12-pitch Black Canyon route, but brings all the joys of parenthood that I expected. I have never worked a day as a guide as it truly is my dream job. Sharing my passion with first-timers has proven to be as rewarding as the longer days on bigger objectives with more experienced climbers.

I have taken the AMGA Rock Guide Course, Alpine Guide Course and Ice Instructor Course, and I am an AMGA certified Single Pitch Instructor. I have also completed the Pro 1 Avalanche education program and maintain a certification as a Wilderness First Responder. I am beyond proud to represent Mountain Trip, the best guiding firm on the planet.