Northern San Juan

New snow and strong winds formed thick slabs of snow near and above treeline. Northerly-facing slopes with a thick layer of weaker snow below wind-drifted snow are the most dangerous, and where you can trigger a large avalanche. Triggering a slide from a deeper drift has the potential to break wider than you might expect. Avoid drifted areas that look smooth and fat below ridgelines, in gullies, or around rocky outcrops. Adjust your travels if you observe signs of unstable snow like surface cracking or hear audible collapses.

Despite snow depths below treeline being shallower and more variable so far this season, the snowpack may now be deep enough on steeper, shady slopes to trigger a smaller avalanche. To help reduce your avalanche risk, stick to lower-angled terrain or southerly-facing slopes.