Southern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche in freshly drifted snow on steep slopes. Westerly wind will make avalanches larger and more dangerous on leeward slopes. Avoid steep slopes where you observe 8 inches or more of new or drifted snow. Cracking in the snow surface or avalanches on similar slopes are obvious signs of instability and a good indication of areas to avoid.

You can find safer travel on slopes less than 35 degrees, and areas protected from the wind.