Gunnison

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. The most dangerous slopes are where wind drifts additional snow to form a cohesive slab on top of a very weak snowpack. If you notice cracking or collapsing in the snow as you travel, this is a sign you found a slab over a weak snow combination and should stick to slopes less than about 30 degrees steep. If you trigger an avalanche on slopes facing west through north to southeast it can run farther than you expect, easily growing large enough to bury you. You can find safer travel on south and southwest-facing slopes where you find less than about a foot of new snow. You can always drastically decrease your chances of triggering an avalanche by sticking to slopes less than about 30 degrees steep without similarly steep slopes overhead.