Gunnison

You can trigger a small but dangerous avalanche on high-elevation, wind-loaded slopes. there is still a chance you can trigger a larger avalanche on deeper buried weak layers on many slopes as well. There are a few ways to reduce your chances of triggering an avalanche if you travel in avalanche terrain. First, avoid traveling on freshly, wind-loaded slopes above the treeline. You will find these on the lee side of a ridge and the snow surface will have a wave-like appearance, often with a cornice at the top of the slope. Two, give cornices a wide berth and don't travel directly under them. Three, avoid uneven, shallow slopes such as a rocky convex rollover, slopes that avalanched earlier this season, and wind-scoured slopes with no thick crusts below the new snow where you can impact the buried weak layers. Continue to practice safe travel techniques including exposing one person to a steep slope at a time and choosing slopes with no terrain traps such as a creek or cliff below you.