Northern San Juan

A fatal avalanche near Ophir on Monday tragically illustrates the kind of dangerous avalanche you can trigger. The most suspect slopes are steeper than about 35 degrees.

Cohesive slabs of snow teetering on a very weak snowpack increases the chance to trigger a large avalanche on, below, or from adjacent slopes. Avalanches triggered from a shallow part of the slope can expand into deeper areas, and step down to the ground taking the entire season’s snowpack with it. Be very aware of the terrain around you, and give steeper slopes and large avalanche paths a wide berth. Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security if you see fewer signs of cracking or collapsing.