Northern San Juan

Strong westerly winds and plenty of new snow for transport will increase your chances of triggering an avalanche. You can trigger an avalanche 1 to 3 feet deep where drifted snow forms cohesive slabs on steep slopes. The most dangerous slopes are where drifted snow stacks above shallow, buried weak layers. On these slopes, avalanches in the news snow may break deeper and broader. Shooting cracks and hard-feeling snow underfoot or machine indicate you have found a slab of drifted snow.

Avoid overhanging cornices as they can break further back than expected, and chunks of cornice falling on a slope may trigger a larger avalanche.