Northern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche where recent storm snow has settled into a cohesive slab that sits above older, weaker snow. This is most likely on steep slopes where you find wind-drifted snow. You can find wind-drifted snow below ridges, on convex rollovers, and in cross-loaded terrain features. The most dangerous slopes are at upper elevations and face northwest through north to southeast.

Cracking and collapsing in recent snow have been signs of instability and a good indication to move to lower-angle slopes.