Northern San Juan

Assess steep, northerly, and easterly-facing slopes carefully in higher elevation areas. Be especially careful in areas where you find over about ten inches of new or freshly drifted snow. Look for signs of recent wind loading, such as smooth, rounded pillows of snow, especially below ridgelines and in steep couloirs. Fresh cornices and cracking in the new snow also indicate potential danger. If you experience any of these conditions, stick to lower-angle or wind-sheltered slopes.

Be careful if you are walking up steep couloirs. You may walk into wind slabs as you get closer to the top. Don't ride in steep areas above terrain traps like cliff bands or trees.