Northern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche in recently wind-drifted snow above treeline. Strong southwesterly wind formed drifts on northerly and easterly slopes below ridgelines. The most dangerous slopes are where winds drifted snow over weak faceted snow. Look for cracking in the drifted snow surface as an indicator of instability. You might also trigger an avalanche that breaks deeper in the snowpack on steep slopes at upper elevations where a cohesive slab of snow sits above older, weaker snow. You are most likely to trigger an avalanche where the slab is thinner, so avoid common trigger points near exposed rocks and trees, and on steep convex rollovers.