Northern San Juan

Natural avalanches are becoming less likely, but you can still trigger a dangerous avalanche that breaks over three feet deep. You can trigger an avalanche in wind-drifted snow that breaks into deeper layers, resulting in a large avalanche. Recent easterly winds drifted snow into slabs in unusual places such as westerly slopes, so use caution there.

Avoid areas with evidence of recent wind drifting, such as sculpted features or lens-shaped pillows. Stick to slopes less than about thirty degrees without steep terrain overhead or below-treeline areas for safer options.