Northern San Juan

Slabs of cohesive snow sit above older, weaker snow on most slopes and where you could trigger a larger avalanche. A slide triggered from a wind-drifted area may break deeper than expected, above you, and be more challenging to escape. Deeper drifts, identified by a smooth and rounded appearance are likely found below ridges, in cross-loaded gullies, and in dish-like terrain features. You are more likely to impact deeper weak snow layers near the margins of a slab or around rocky outcrops where the snowpack is shallower. Shooting cracks or audible collapses are signs you should move to slopes around 30 degrees without steeper terrain overhead.