Southern San Juan

Heavy snowfall and strong winds formed thick, dense slabs of snow on top of a very weak snowpack. Northerly and east-facing slopes are the most dangerous and where you can trigger a larger avalanche. Avalanches can grow large enough to bury or injure you on slopes where you find more than about a foot of recent snowfall. Avalanches can break wider and deeper than you expect and can be triggered from below slopes or from a distance. Below treeline, avalanches may be smaller, but can still result in a rough ride if you are carried through trees and rocks. Move to terrain around 30 degrees if you see warning signs of unstable snow like shooting cracks or audible collapses.