Northern San Juan

Northerly and easterly-facing slopes where winds built thicker slabs of snow above weaker snow layers are the most dangerous. Be suspect of steeper slopes where the snow surface feels stiff, looks smooth or pillow-like, and where you observe cracking or audible collapses. Avalanches triggered on a wind-loaded slope can break wider than you expect and into deeper weak snow layers. Common spots to trigger a larger slide are near exposed rocks, from the backside of steep rollovers, and below cliffs where the overlying slab may be thinner. Lower-angled slopes sheltered from the wind without steeper terrain above you offer safer travel options.