Northern San Juan

You could trigger an avalanche where winds have drifted snow into cohesive slabs at upper elevations. The most dangerous slopes are above treeline and face northwest to north through east. Here winds have drifted snow into deeper slabs that sit above weaker snow below. Wind-drifted snow often looks lens-shaped or has a pillowy appearance. You will most likely find areas of drifted snow below ridgelines and on the sides of gullies. Cracking or collapsing in the drifted snow indicates an unstable slope and is a sign to move to lower-angled slopes sheltered from the wind.