Northern San Juan

Old, weak snow layers linger below cohesive slabs of snow on west through the north, to southeast-facing slopes. You are more likely to impact buried weak snow layers and trigger an avalanche where the snowpack is thin near exposed rocks or margins of the slab. Avalanches triggered from a wind-drifted area can grow much wider and run much farther than you anticipate. Deeper drifts, identified by a lens-shaped appearance or where the snow surface feels hard, are found below ridges, in cross-loaded gullies, and in dish-like terrain features. If you see shooting cracks or hear audible collapses, move to slopes around 30 degrees without steeper terrain overhead for safer travel options.