Brazilian Slab

<p>20 cm of new snow overnight and into the morning with wind gusting moderate to strong from the south. 25cm soft slab on SE aspect at treeline on Ruedi's Ridge. Pockets of 4F to 1F windslabs on E and SE aspects at ridgetop. Ski cut half a dozen 15-20 cm thick soft slabs in the upper Brazilian. A loaded and spooky looking slope on the left traverse to the dividing rock rib of the Brazilian did not inspire confidence so we stayed skiers right of the rock rib. Upon reaching the beginning of the more defined skiers right gully, stiffer snow was felt underneath the new snow and a 30 cm thick 1F+ to P hard burried windslab was ski cut. It broke 6-7 m wide, width of the gully, and produced a SZ 2 that ran 150 m to a little more than half fan. The debris was less than a meter deep and approximately 30m wide. While skiing out, a fresh 30-50 cm thick 30 m wide crown was observed in the upper fan of the Pencil Chute east of the Ruedi's Shrine. It seemed to have been triggered naturally by a slough that overloaded a windslab. Of note, the wind peaked at high to extreme from the west during the last 48 hours, crossloading many north facing fans.</p>

Terrain Ridden

Alpine slopes, Steep slopes, Open trees.

Terrain Avoided

Sunny slopes.

Avalanche Conditions

30cm + of new snow, or significant drifting, or rain in the last 48 hours.

Slab avalanches today or yesterday.

Whumpfing or drum-like sounds or shooting cracks.

Snow Conditions

Powder.

Weather Conditions

Windy, Cloudy.