Purcell Range of British Columbia

Bugaboo Group. Under the leadership of George MacGowan a party of the Seattle Mountaineers visited this area in July, 1940, ascending most of the important summits. They suggest that Crescent Spire is not higher than 8800 ft. and that Pigeon Spire is about 10,050 ft., being some 200 ft. lower than Bugaboo Spire. “In checking the drainage on the W. side of Howser Spire, it appeared that Dr. Thorington was correct in his assumption that the stream drains into Vowell Creek (toward Spillimacheen) and not into Howser Creek. No break in the ridge was visible that would allow the stream to turn S.” It would seem, therefore, that Howser Spire is no exception to the general rule that the higher Purcell peaks rise E. of the E.-W. Kootenay watershed.