The Gasser outlier attempt

                                                                                   
March 22, 2026
 
Highpoint:         2040 m
Elevation gain:  450 m
Ascent time:      2:30
Descent time:    1:20
 
Scrambling/mountaineering with Dave and Brad.
 
The goal of the trip was to reach the distinctive outlier on Drywood Mountain directly above the deservedly popular ice climb, The Gasser. We would be using the ascent gully I descended a month and a week earlier, gaining the ridge above, and then attempting to traverse over to the outlier. On paper the plan was the winner; in practice…I would say the jury is still out.
 
In contrast to the previous day’s overcast, foggy, and snowy conditions, this day dawned clear and pristine, with a new layer of snow. It was also quite windy. We hiked the approach with ease, gained a little elevation, traversed into the gully, and stopped to prepare for the appetizer – ascending the snow-filled gully towards the ridge. Crampons and ice axes (tools) were required for the gully. Unfortunately, my hiking boot crampons (that I have repeatedly abused by walking on rocks) basically gave me the middle finger every time I stepped on the steeper sections of the hardened snow. Brad and Dave glided up the gully with grace and ease, while I wallowed up the side, where the snow was softer and more forgiving for my “butter knife” crampons.
 
Given that the gully was generally trending away from the ridge we were aiming, we started looking for shorter but steeper routes up; a significant rock band rearing up above us providing an obstinate barrier. There were many potential lines, but a conservative approach was prudent, since we couldn’t see all the way up to easier terrain. Above the rock band, an easy traverse over to the ridge ensued. Was the news about a possible continuation to the Gasser outlier good or bad?
 
Unfortunately, it was bad on several counts. An easy route to the summit simply didn’t exist, especially with the heavy snow cover and significant cornices lining the ridge. We picked out a few potential lines but wouldn’t be able to assess their feasibility until we were much closer to the summit. More importantly, Dave had been experiencing severe pain from a hernia throughout much of the ascent and his condition was only getting worse. We immediately decided to descend into a sheltered area to give Dave a chance to rest. The break was well-needed but did little to improve Dave’s condition. We wisely bailed on the trip.
 
Brad and Dave descended the snow gully, once again with ease. I decided to brutalize my crampons even more, taking the same unaesthetic line down as my previous trip – unaesthetic, but generally safe and very straightforward. We reunited at the bottom of the gully and hiked back to the trailhead in about 30 minutes.
 
No summit, but a super day of exploration on interesting terrain with terrific scenery, and of course the best company in the South. Salute to Dave for making it up is far as he did in obvious physical pain. We will return.



Leaving the parking area on a clear... (photo by Dave)



...but windy day (photo by Dave)



The objective is at the far left (photo by Dave)



Enjoying the easy hike and shelter from the wind, for now (photo by Dave)



Zoomed-in shot of The Gasser ice climb (photo by Dave)



Pincher Ridge across the valley



Leaving the main trail and checking out The Gasser outlier (photo by Dave)



Pincher again - I'd like to try that left skyline at some point



On the awesome trail that has been cleared to provide easy access to the ice and rock climbs in the area (photo by Dave)



Now heading towards The Gasser and the objective above (photo by Dave)



Dave and Pincher. The most enjoyable route I have found up Pincher Ridge goes up near the left side.



Have to check out the creek before going into the correct ascent drainage



There's the ascent gully to the left of The Gasser (photo by Dave)



But first



Loved this section (photo by Dave)







The Gasser at the right and Fluffy Saves the Day, left of centre (photo by Dave)



The outlier looks very impressive from this angle



Veering left towards the correct ascent route. This won't be a repeat of my previous trip to the area, where I got considerably off-route.



I veered left later







Close-up of The Gasser and Fluffy (photo by Dave)



Fluffy is looking a little anorexic (photo by Dave)



Brad and I head directly to the gully (photo by Dave)



Same as above (photo by Dave)



All geared up, Brad leads the ascent (photo by Dave)



I'm lagging behind already (photo by Dave)







The cool rock above The Gasser



There are open holes on the sides that should be treated with care (photo by Dave)



Dave takes and leads and looks down on Brad and me (photo by Dave)



Sweet icicle scenery on the right side (photo by Dave)



Sweet Brad and the sweet icicles (photo by Dave)



Brad takes a tricky little detour (photo by Dave)



Loving the scenery... (photo by Dave)



...but no one is loving the extreme wind and blowing snow



Brad goes off the beaten path again



The scenic terrain ahead (photo by Dave)



Close-up (photo by Dave)



My crampons didn't like that ice so I used the tree



Looking for potential routes up



View back down the gully and across to Pincher Centre  - my favourite of the three Pincher Ridge summits (photo by Dave)



Dave and Brad leave the gully and head towards the rock bands on the right side



All three summits of Pincher Ridge, from left to right: Southwest, Centre, true summit



Looking over to the ridge on the left that I would like to explore someday



Brad approaches the base of the first rock band (photo by Dave)



Same for Dave



Brad searches for a route (photo by Dave)



Dave waits for Bard



I went further up to find another route



Tried this one but backed down



Brad backs down too (photo by Dave)



And then follows Dave and me (photo by Dave)



Still looking (photo by Dave)



Found an easier route (photo by Dave)



Above the rock bands and starting to traverse towards the outlier (at the right) (photo by Dave)



Dave and Brad traversing and the ridge I want to check out behind
 


End of the line. Trying to spot feasible lines up the outlier (photo by Dave).
Close-up of the steep terrain and cornices lining the ridge



Looking up the lacklustre route to the summit of Drywood Mountain (photo by Dave)



Pincher Ridge



Retreat



Same as above



And again



Brad has a cig, Dave tries to push his intestines back in - not your typical mountain photo!



Resuming the descent



Brad at the bottom of a short gliassde (photo by Dave)



I walked down his glissade track (photo by Dave)



Brad continues to lead us down (photo by Dave)



Near the top of the steepest part of the descent (photo by Dave)



Brad powered down this icy slope with incredible speed and finesse (photo by Dave)



Brad and Dave stayed on the left side of the gully, I chose the rocky right side



Last look at The Gasser



There are a few nice ice features in the lower reaches of the gully



Looking back up the route



Final few steps of the trip. Dave is in excruciating pain but he's still documenting the trip - that's commitment! (photo by Dave)

The End

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