Susan Purvis Official Bio

Author, Educator, Explorer, Keynote Speaker, and a whole lot of fun.

Susan’ expertise landed her on coldest, highest, and hottest places in the world: Antarctica, Mount Everest, and the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia.

Susan Purvis loves to suffer.

Often called a Maverick, Susan paved a not-so-easy, yet successful career, in the male dominated outdoors for 40 years, shuffling between business owner, scientist, author, K-9 search and rescue dog handler, wilderness medicine and avalanche specialist.

Her outdoor education company, Crested Butte Outdoors International captured the attention of The Oprah Show, the US Secret Service, the FBI, and the ATF. Her exploits put her in Smithsonian, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, on CNN. She appeared on the science documentary, The Hottest Place on Earth on the BBC and Discovery Channels. She’s consulted for National Geographic Channel, truTV, and in 2013 embarked on an epic 45-day expedition to Queen Maud Land, Antarctica.

An acclaimed author, renowned educator, Susan is an entertaining keynote with over 20 years of public speaking experience. Whether it’s an intimate gathering with men who protect the president, a national outdoor trade show, or the private setting at one of the Turner Ranches, Susan connects with the audience keeping them listening, laughing, and learning.

With a passion for mentoring women and men in outdoor risk, Susan is unapologetic, matter of fact and direct in her teaching style.

In 2003, Susan and Tasha, her search and rescue canine, were honored by the US House of Representative, receiving Congressional Recognition for their “unselfish neighbor-helping-neighbor,” an acknowledgment of their heroic avalanche rescues in the high country of Colorado.

In 2018, Susan launched her best-selling memoir, Go Find: My Journey to Find the Lost—And Myself. A tale of woman, against all odds, finding her purpose and passion and never looking back.

Susan Purvis lives in Whitefish, Montana near Glacier National Park
 

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