Northern San Juan

Wind-loaded slopes and terrain features above treeline are the most problematic. This is where strong winds drifted snow into varying thickness slabs above weak, collapsible snow layers. Small, shallow avalanches may break deeper where older, weak snow layers are closer to the surface – slab margins, near exposed rocks and trees, and on steep rollovers. Avalanches on slopes with less than about 3 feet of snow could take the entire season’s snowpack with it, and those slides will be larger. Safer travel options exists lower in elevation, and move to lower angle slopes if you see cracking in the snow – especially if the snow surface looks smooth and rounded.