Northern San Juan

A buried weak layer sits below snow from recent storms. You can find this layer primarily on slopes that tilt to the north. You could trigger a small avalanche where recent storm snow settles or drifts into firmer slabs above this weak layer. Cracking and collapsing are indicators that you have found an area that holds this set up. If you observe these signs, move to a lower-angle slope or choose terrain that tilts south or west.