Northern San Juan

Recent snow and wind formed a cohesive slab of snow over an incredibly weak snowpack. Northerly and easterly-facing slopes near and above treeline harbor thicker, denser slabs where you could trigger a larger slide. Avoid travel on and under steeper slopes with more than about 6 inches of new snow, as slides can be triggered from a distance, and may break wider and run farther than you expect. If you see shooting cracks or hear rumbling collapses as you travel across a slope, consider moving to a different area or sticking to lower-angled terrain. Most avalanches will be small but could grow large enough to knock you down and send you for a dangerous ride.

Snow coverage below treeline is shallower, but the snowpack is just as weak. Although avalanches there will be smaller and more isolated, they could knock you over and send you for a rough ride through the trees.