From what I can gather, the foursome reached snowy slopes at the foot of the mountain and were preparing for an abseil.
(I; can gather; ) (the foursome; reached; snowy slopes; L:at the foot of the mountain) (the foursome; were preparing; for an abseil)
I the foursome the foursome
can gather reached were preparing
snowy slopes L:at the foot of the mountain
for an abseil