Aspen

You can trigger a slab avalanche on steep slopes at higher elevations or on wind-drifted slopes below treeline. You can also trigger a loose avalanche on very steep, shady slopes that could grow large enough to bury you in bigger terrain. The simplest solution to find safer travel is by sticking to slopes less than about 35 degrees steep if you are traveling in areas facing west through north to southeast.

If you are venturing into steeper terrain on these aspects of concern here are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of being caught in an avalanche:

• Avoid slopes that avalanched earlier this season, especially if they show recent signs of wind loading

• Avoid shallow areas like rock outcrops or convex rollovers on otherwise smooth, planar slopes

• Manage for loose avalanches that could knock you over and drag you down a slope