Northern San Juan

Westerly winds have drifted the new snow into thicker slabs on northwest through north to southeast- facing slopes near and above treeline. As you move up in elevation, you may find drifting deeper and broader across slopes. Avalanches in wind-drifted snow could trigger a more dangerous slide that breaks on weak, collapsible snow layers in the middle or bottom of the snowpack. Be wary of places where you see evidence of drifting like lens-shaped snow pillows or a firm, sculpted snow surface beneath ridgelines, cornices, and on steep sidewalls of gullies. If you experience cracking in the snow or hear audible collapses, stick to wind-sheltered slopes around 30 degrees without steeper terrain overhead.